Walk freely on snow
Niseko Foot Path signs
Bring your portable stove and tea set and make yourself at home in a snow field
Snowshoeing is a winter activity that has been gaining popularity in Niseko.
Attached at the toe with a freely moving heel, snowshoes enable anyone including inexperienced beginners to walk effortlessly across the snow.
By following the tracks of different kinds of animals deep into the woods where you can only travel by snowshoe, you will be able to find areas you cannot experience during summer when the fields bristle with foliage.
Enjoy the silence of the woods, listen to the wind whistling and the birds singing, as if you yourself have become one of the forest creatures.
In many places, the snow will be so deep that you can see into bird's nests that would normally be meters above eye level.
Snowshoe rental and guided tours are available throughout the Niseko area. Try snowshoe-downhill, in which you take a gondola to 1,000m in elevation, then run down the hill or take a leisurely hike along one of several foot paths.
Once you are more accustomed to it, you can even ride down the hill by treating the snowshoes just like skis.
Nature hiking
How deep into the woods can you follow this rabbit’s tracks?
During the winter, small wooded creatures become much easier to follow around, as the tracks of animals like squirrels and birds become imprinted in the ground.
Guided tours by local specialists will allow you to learn the names and about the lives of creatures and plants you may find in the woods.
Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee with some sweets for a break on the way to really experience the relaxing nature of the woods and boost your energy for further exploration.
Don't forget that even though snowshoeing takes place in the cold, it can be a tiring activity that can dehydrate you and consume more calories than you expect, so drink plenty of water and enjoy various spring flavors to recharge your body after the adventure.
