Niseko, Hokkaido, Japan
Thanks to bouts of winter storms off Siberia, the Niseko resort area ranks among the snowiest resorts in the world. It’s also one of the few ski resorts in Japan with boisterous nightlife, which perhaps explains why it’s the most popular ski destination in Japan among Aussies.
Regulars rave about skiing into chest-deep dry powder without resistance. Niseko is also famous for off-piste and night skiing.
Niseko has four ski resorts, each with separate, but interlinked, ski areas. The terrain adds up to 2,191 acres and can be accessed with one ski pass.
Niseko Hirafu is the largest resort of the four and has a small town at its base, with two fun parks, snowmobiling courses, onsens, and massage facilities.
There are JR trains operating to Niseko from Otaru, Sapporo, Hakodate and New Chitose Airport. Skiers can also drive there or take a bus from Sapporo and New Chitose Airport.
Gulmarg, India
In the 19th century Gulmarg was a hill station for British colonials to escape the summer heat. These days, it’s a world-class ski resort called Khyber which is blanketed with fresh, light powder from the Himalayas, attracting ski bums tired of Alpine lift queues and fondues.
The resort’s claim to fame is the Gulmarg Gondola, the highest ski lift in the world at a dizzying 3,979 meters. At the top station, skiers can take on challenging runs with Nanga Parbat, the world’s ninth-highest peak, as a backdrop.
Gulmarg is 35 miles away from state capital Srinagar. Visitors can take a taxi into Gulmarg from Srinagar airport, the journey takes around two hours.
Yongpyong, Gangwon-do, South Korea
Yongpyong Ski Resort is the oldest ski resort in South Korea and remains one of its most popular — not only because of the superb skiing, but also because Winter Sonata, arguably the most beloved TV drama of the soap-obsessed country, was filmed there.
Yongpyong has 1,620 hecatares of ski terrain with 31 groomed slopes adding up to 25 kilometers. The 5.6-kilometer Rainbow Paradise is the resort’s longest run and can be accessed by a 3.7-kilometer gondola that takes visitors up from the base. There’s also a strong chance that skiers and snowboarders can find fresh powder at Yongpying.
Off the slopes, Yongpyong offers Winter Sonata tours for true soap opera junkies and a water park with hot springs.
Yongpyong is frequently chosen as the site for international tournaments, including the Asian Winter Olympics in 1999. The Winter Olympics will return in 2018.
Yongpyong is two and a half hours away from Seoul by car. For directions click here. Alternatively, there are resort shuttle buses operating from Seoul and Hwenggye, Gangnung daily.
Appi Kogen, Tohoku, Japan
Appi Kogen, or just Appi to regulars, has 282 hectares of ski area and 21 ski trails with an average run of two kilometers, Japan’s longest average. Many of them are empty even during high season, and carpeted with fresh dry powder. Seasoned skiers can whiz down the ungroomed steep slopes on Mount Nishi Mori while the kids can stay on the gentle 5.5-kilometer Yamabato run.
Appi also offers plenty of off-piste options, including an on-site dairy farm that produces ice cream and cheeses, snowmobile and sledding courses, and onsens. Tots won’t want to leave the Spongebob Kids Park, which has mini ski areas for first timers.
From Tokyo, take JR East’s Shinkansen line to Morioka. Once at Morioka station, take train “Hanawa” headed for Appi Kogen station. There is a free shuttle bus from Appi Kogen station to the resort.
Alpensia Resort, Pyeongchang, South Korea
Seoul has been building ski venues to qualify as a host for the Winter Olympics for years. In 2018, the Alpensia Resort in Pyeongchang will host the Winter Olympics.
The Alpensia Resort was completed in 2009 and covers 4.9 square kilometers of terrain. Alpensia’s sports park has cross country and biathlon ranges, as well as two international-standard jump slopes.
The 160-meter tall ski jump tower offers great views of Daegwallyeong at the top and can be reached by monorail for 2,000 won. The resort is close to the Odaesan National Park and the Samyang Ranch
Driving to Alpensia from Incheon International Airport takes approximately three hours and 30 minutes.
Alshan Alpine Ski Resort, Mongolia, China
At the Alshan Alpine Ski resort, daily snowfall ensures that the slopes are constantly blanketed in thick powder.
Much of the resort is used by the Chinese national skiing team for training, but it also has milder slopes that are open to the public.
Non-professional alpine and cross-country trails add up to 10 kilometers and cover 5.5 square kilometers. The resort straddles high mountains along the inner Mongolian border and is rimmed by primitive forests.
From Beijing, catch a flight to Ulanhot. There are buses and trains bound for Alshan Alpine Resort from the Ulanhot airport.
Jisan Forest Resort, Icheon, South Korea
Jisan Forest Resort is a mere 40 minute’s drive from Seoul, meaning that city dwellers can possibly reach snow fields faster than they commute to work. Jisan’s terrain might be too tame for advanced skiers, but its 10 slopes should be enough to keep beginner and mid-level skiers happy. The resort’s longest run is 1.5 kilometers and is for intermediate level skiers.
Jisan Forest Resort also has two slopes that remain open after midnight from December 23 to February 12.
The resort is a stone’s throw from the Hanteo Pony Farm, where tots can spend their day riding farm animals and planting crops. Those wanting to stay overnight can book condos at the resort.
Jisan Forest Resort is a 40-minute drive away from Gangnam, south of Seoul. There are also buses operating from Incheon International Airport to the resort, the journey should take around an hour and a half.
Rusutsu Ski Resort, Hokkaido, Japan
Rusutsu ski resort, a stone’s throw away from the Hokkaido capital of Sapporo, has some of Japan’s thickest, driest powder. The 37 courses add up to 42 kilometers and stretches over three mountains. Its tree runs, set in a silver birch woodland, are one of its top attractions.
For those wanting a reprieve from the slopes, Rusutsu offers dog sledding, horseback riding, snow rafting and snow mobiling. The very young might want take a spin on the ice on their inflatable rubber “snow trains,” or stay indoors for the resort’s cookery and handicraft courses.
Rusutsu Rsort is a 90-minute drive from Sapporo, New Chitose Airport, Tomakomai and Muroran.
