Grand Hirafu has announced their operating schedule for this winter. There are a number of changes due to COVID-19, including operating lifts, opening dates, shuttle bus, and lift capacity. The good news is that most of the resort lifts will be operational meaning that guests and locals will still be able to have a great resort experience.
Dates:
Planned Opening: December 05
Planned Closing: May 05
Planned Night Skiing: December 19 - March 7
The above are subject to change due to weather or COVID situation
Lifts Operating:
Ace Family Quad
Ace #2 Quad (Center Four)
Holiday #1 Pair
King #3 Quad
King #4
Swinging Monkey
Hirafu Gondola
Night Skiing:
Ace Family Quad
Ace #2 Quad (Center Four)
Bus:
Hirafu Village Shuttle will not be running
Niseko United Shuttle bus will be running
Lift Capacity:
The number of people allowed together on lifts will be halved
Family & friend groups can get on together
Terrain Park:
There will be no terrain park in Grand Hirafu this winter
There will be no spring park
Please note that the above information can change depending on the COVID situation.
Please read the full announcement HERE (Japanese only).
Bouken-kazoku is calling for participants for their nature programs! Come enjoy the nature surrounded by Yotei's beauty.
Program contents: (translated from PDF)
*Programs 3 and 4 are flexible and you can only chose 1 camping day if you wish
*Please note that a 100% cancellation fee applies to cancellations made 3 days prior to the program date
*They will notify you on the things to bring upon making a reservation
Sunday August 10th: Welcome to the program (get your bearings in the woods, how to use tools, catch insects, etc.)
Sunday September 6th: My forest (find mushrooms and wild grasses)
Saturday October 3rd: Forest camping 1st day (find food in the woods, cook outdoor, etc.)
Sunday October 4th: Forest camping 2nd day (make fire from scratch)
*Programs 1~5 accommodates up to 15 participants.
If you wish to enroll, please wait for a cancellation notice when the booking is full.
This program is for children in elementary school and over. Children only attendance is ok!
Participation fee: 2500JPY each day (includes insurance ¥)
The Niseko Shootout photography contest is back with the first ever Summer Shootout!
Things are heating up in Niseko with the launch of the first ever summer edition of the Niseko Shootout series.
Niseko Shootout Summer Series is on the search for Niseko’s best and most unique summer moments. No matter what you’re doing - enjoying a round of golf, mountain biking down Mt Annupuri or SUP boarding on Lake Toya, we want you to share your awesome Hokkaido summer time with us.
To enter simply post your entry on Instagram and use the hashtag #nisekoshootout on your photos taken from 21 June 2020 and posted before 14 September 2020.
Winners will be announced at this year's Niseko Autumn Food Festival on 21 September 2020. Prizes will be presented on the day or can be collected from Niseko Tourism at Sun Sports Land.
1st Place
¥10,000 cash, ¥10,000 MTB voucher from Niseko Nine, Avalanche Course from Rising Sun Guides valued at ¥25,000
2nd Place
¥5,000 cash, ¥5,000 MTB voucher from Niseko Nine
3rd Place
¥2,000 cash, ¥2,000 MTB voucher from Niseko Nine
The team from Summerlife will also choose one photo to fill the pages of the next issue of Summerlife magazine.
Follow @nisekoshootout to see your shots feature and get an idea of what the judges are looking for.
*Please make sure you don't tag @nisekoshootout - rather be sure to use the hashtag #nisekoshootout so the judges can see your picture.
Full contest rules:
All images using #nisekoshootout taken and posted between 21 June 2020 - 14 September 2020 in the Shiribeshi & Iburi region are eligible.
Three winners will be selected from all entries by a panel of judges. The contest will be run in an open format with no sub-categories.
Judges will be asked to assess images based on the following criteria: Visual Impact, Creativity, Composition, Point of Interest, Lighting, & Originality.
The winner is the photographer. The poster and/or subject may be credited if different from the photographer, but the winner is the photographer.
