Winter activities in Niseko that don’t involve skis

Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido is home to magical feather-light snow known as Japanese Powder or “Japow”. The island enjoys a long snow season — from December to early April — and among its ski towns, Niseko has long been a favorite destination among skiers, snowboarders and travelers who come to experience some of Asia’s most stunning winter landscapes.

Spread over four different ski resort villages — Annupuri, Higashiyama, Hirafu, and Hanazono — Niseko boasts light fluffy snow and majestic slopes that tempt both powder and on-piste skiers. But there’s more to Niseko than just amazing ski runs. It’s also a great destination for non-skiers who can’t be bothered with talk of ‘dumps’ and ‘carving’.

Here are a few ways you can experience a magical winter holiday in Niseko without having to pull on a bulky winter suit and strapping on ski boots.

Take in stunning snow-blanketed sights from a gondola

At Niseko, the gondolas aren’t just for skiers and snowboarders. The Grand Hirafu Gondola and the Annupuri Gondola are great ways to get a bird’s-eye view of the winter wonderland. You’ll be whisked up to 950 meters above sea level for panoramic vistas of the resort town and its snow-covered peaks and valleys. You can also watch skiers descending the slopes or spot a few mountaineers heading up to the summit of Niseko’s mountains.

Get an adrenaline rush on a snow tube or a snow raft

Bundle up in your coziest winter gear and head for Hanazono where you’ll find tube-friendly terrain and pristine passes that can accommodate bulky snow rafts.

The bottom of Hanazono ski resort has an area reserved for sleds and tubes. Entirely secure and marked out, these snowy descents are perfect for introducing the little ones to their first sensations of sliding down snow in a comfortable inner tube while the older kids — and you — can take turns racing down the slope.

But for sheer invigoration, nothing tops gliding across soft powder snow on a raft while being towed by a snowmobile. The cold, crisp air and the rush of speeding across a shining silver wonderland are guaranteed to awaken the senses.

Explore this winter wonderland on horseback

Enjoy Niseko’s natural charms at a more relaxed pace atop a docile steed. Ride along scenic trails, across gleaming white pistes, and past awe-inspiring views at the foot of Mt. Yotei, Niseko’s grandest peak; or go horseback trekking around Lake Toya, an hour away from Niseko.

The horses are well-trained and friendly, and you can do a practice run in a paddock before the actual trek, so this activity is ideal for those with children or those who have never been on a horse before. Bookings can be done via Hanazono.

Soak the cold away in an onsen

Soothe weary muscles and get a reprieve from freezing temps with a therapeutic, revitalizing dip in a natural hot spring or onsen, which are abundant in Niseko. Set at temperatures above 40°C, these hot, healing baths have a rejuvenating effect on muscles and can soothe aches and pains as well as wounds and scratches.

Strip down and sink into mineral-rich, geothermal goodness at a traditional outdoor bathhouse like Yugokorotei, a popular public onsen in Annupuri that boasts baths with 100-percent mineral water. For a more luxurious setting, opt for a bath within a large hotel such as Yumoto Prince Hotel Hirafutei in Hirafu or Hilton hotel in Niseko Village, both of which welcome day visitors at their onsen.

Take your fill of delectable nibbles

There’s no better place to try a baked cheese tart than in Hokkaido, which is credited for inventing the rich, scrumptious treat. At Takahashi Dairy Farm Milk Kobo, they do these tarts amazingly well, the pastry’s crispy crust giving way to gooey, velvety cheese at first bite. Also worth trying are the shop’s signature cream puffs and soft-serve ice cream.

If these indulgent treats are not enough to appease your sweet cravings, make your way to Makkari Town (about a 15-minute car trip from Niseko) to Wakimizu no Sato, a shop that sells an assortment of soy-based products, including chewy tofu doughnuts and soy milk matcha pudding. The goodies sold at this store are made with soybeans and tofu prepared with pure, mineral-rich spring water from Mt. Yotei, which accounts for richer and fresher flavors.

Marvel at massive snow sculptures in Sapporo

For seven days in February, Sapporo, the capital city of Hokkaido (about a two-hour drive from Niseko), hosts a snow festival that features ice sculptures of mind-blowing scale and complexity. Frozen dreamscapes depicting beloved pop culture characters (Star Wars droids and Rilakkuma sculpted from ice snow), illuminated crystal temples and palaces, and neck-craning renditions of architectural wonders, all carved from about 30,000 tons of ice, greet visitors at Odori Park, the traditional home and main site of this winter event. The park stretches for about 10 blocks and is lined with hundreds of sculptures, some reaching as high as 15 meters. At night, moving colored lights and clever projection mappings add a surreal kaleidoscopic element to the sights.

Take some time for art appreciation

A few art galleries and museums significantly add to Niseko’s cultural cachet, and are worth a visit if outdoor pursuits in the cold are not your thing. A visit to gallery-slash-restaurant Somoza, set in a beautiful 150-year-old kominka (old Japanese house), will introduce you to the history and traditions of Hokkaido via a permanent exhibition that includes 10,000-year-old art and artifacts. The gallery will also acquaint you with more contemporary displays by local artists. The Shu Ogawara Art Museum, meanwhile, is devoted to the life work of the avant-garde painter who was highly influenced by his travels to India, China, and Tibet.

Eat your way through robust mountain fare and Michelin-starred cuisine

Some of Japan’s best vegetables, dairy products, and seafood are produced in Hokkaido, and these go into the delicious dishes served at the Niseko’s many noted restaurants, from casual venues serving nourishing brunch fare like Tomo, to fancy establishments backed by Michelin credentials such as degustation restaurant Asperges by Chef Hiroshi Nakamichi, and grill venue Robata at the Park Hyatt. Local potatoes are used to create the signature potato ramen at Ramen Kazahana, while Hokkaido king crab goes into specialty dishes at Crab Shack.

At Ichi Ichi Kitchen, beautifully presented mains and decadent desserts, along with stunning views of Mt. Yotei’s peak, await diners; and longtime favorite The Barn by Odin wins over locals and visitors alike with Japanese-French fusion fare.

Ready for an adventure in Niseko? Fly directly to Sapporo with Thai Airways.