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Powder Harmony
December 15th, 2004 |
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Niseko Hirafu has a new name. Take a deep breath - the resort now has the
grandiose title of “Niseko Mountain Resort Grand Hirafu”. This identity
change has been brought about by Tokyu Resort Service Co. Ltd., the company
that previously ran the Kogen and Hanazono sections of Hirafu. After years of
longing, Tokyu has finally secured Hirafu’s left hand side resort by
purchasing the Alpen lifts together with its 130 room hotel. As a result, the
whole front mountain is now under the control of one lift operator - the first
time in Hirafu’s history.
A second very important change has taken place in Niseko this season: the
Australia originated company Nihon Harmony Resorts Co. Ltd. has purchased
Hanazono resort. Hanazono is home to the popular Strawberry Fields and Blueberries
powder areas, and is also the return point from peak descents on all East face
Annupuri. Tokyu recognized Hanazono’s potential years ago, but the down turn
in the Japanese economy a decade ago halted any development plans. Nihon
Harmony brings with it extensive ski resort management and marketing expertise,
and the plan is to turn Hanazono into a world class resort.
Although building developments are still a year or so away, some very
exciting facilities are expected. This season Harmony will make some noticeable
changes to Hirafu. For the freestyle people an extensive ski park is being
added to Hanazono, backed up by the introduction of a Pipe Magician machine.
The Magician doesn’t exist anywhere else in Hokkaido, and with the ability to
create Olympic class six metre pipe walls, will launch people higher than ever.
Harmony’s NISS (Niseko International Snowsports School) also starts
operation this season. Bringing international standard instruction to Niseko,
NISS boasts a 24 metre long kid’s ‘Magic Carpet’ lift. A common criticism
of Niseko is the lack of facilities for kids. Child discounts for lift tickets
haven’t been available until recently and the kid’s ski school has been
limited. Harmony’s Magic Carpet opens up all kinds of snow fun for little
people and, in conjunction, NISS is offering ‘Tic Tac’ kids classes for the
3 to 6 year olds, and a ‘Yuki Program’ including lunch for 7 to 14 year
olds. Various other children’s events are scheduled, including weekly
Thursday kid’s ski races for various levels. This kind of commitment will no
doubt secure an ongoing interest for the next generation of skiing.
For the adults there are powder improvement programs, ‘White Room’ training and guiding, as well as an all too enticing happy hour
service in the Hanazono restaurant. With the new road completed between Hirafu
and Hanazono providing fifteen minute access and additional bus connections,
Hanazono will bring joy to many Niseko visitors this season.
With Tokyu’s creation of Grand Hirafu and control of both Alpen and Kogen
resorts, concerns arose that 2005 lift pass prices might go up. Grand
Hirafu’s spokesperson Sato-san ensures me that there will not be an increase,
and instead has provided a long list of improvements within the resort. New
facilities, increased on and off snow events, and a new connecting trail
between Alpen and Kogen sides are included among these.
To comprehend the politics that have affected Hirafu, it is useful to know
that the Alpen Resort went bankrupt about eight years ago. Since then it has
been managed by its receiver, Hokkaido’s Hokuyo Bank. As banks tend to
specialize in money dealings rather then ski resorts, Hokuyo’s various Alpen
managers really had little idea how to run a ski resort. Despite their common
name ‘Hirafu’, there has been confusion, bickering and dissent between
Hokuyo and Tokyu. These days have thankfully gone, and Tokyu now has the chance
to spread its wings. With Harmony as an example, one can expect Tokyu to raise
Grand Hirafu to a new level of resort.
Along with Tokyu and Harmony, the Niseko community has also been busy
helping to improve resort and village facilities. An interesting mixture of
Japanese and Western businesses and Niseko locals have come together to form an
non profit organization called NAMA (Niseko Area Mountain Association). NAMA
has been set up to provide information for tourists and Niseko businesses, as
well as acting in an advisory position for various Hokkaido government bodies.
This season, Hirafu and Kutchan will have bus stop and train signage in
English. Furthermore, Hirafu is finally being dragged into the modern ages with
the introduction of optical fibre internet connection. Maybe next year we will
secure an ATM machine. . .
All Niseko needs now is the snow. In celebration of Grand Hirafu, Tokyu
renamed all the lifts, runs and restaurants, and made a valiant attempt to
start Season 2005 on November 20th. Staff and mountain preparations
were ready, but the snow gods were not compliant. Unfortunately Hirafu’s
first lifts didn’t move until December 1st, and conditions have
been up and down since then. Night skiing is currently underway, but there is
still only limited lift operation. Sasa bamboo grass is visible across
the mountain, so bring your machete if you plan to head off-piste. Those
magical powder tree runs are still a few snow dumps away.
Niseko suffered one of the poorest starts for years last season. Some of
Kutchan’s elders claim it was the driest season (the least snow) for half a
century. Despite cold temperatures the snow didn’t fall until the second half
of December, surprising locals and disappointing early-bird holiday makers.
Finally, from December 20th onwards the powder hit and, although the
base remained relatively thin, conditions generally returned to normal.
Another strange phenomenon last season: it rained January and February on
the mountain. A touch of damp before the powder dump is not uncommon when a
large low pressure front approaches from the South. Last season, however, we
had several days of solid rain. Umbrellas were visible in winter Hirafu… The
people who scored the powder falls went home happy. Needless to say, those who
were forced to endure two or three days of continuous wet left questioning
Niseko’s powder haven status.
Last season skiers contacted friends advising that Niseko was having an off
season. Some season guests packed their bags early, and went overseas mid
February. The message soon spread across the world and as a result March
bookings slumped. The snow gods had the last laugh, however, when the first
half of March deposited more snow than February did. An empty mountain and
fantastic powder conditions meant that those who stayed on skied themselves
silly. This may be a clue for season 2005.
Snow Depth Chart -
Click
here to view full chart
Hokkaido summer this year was hot and sunny, which usually indicates cold
temperatures and lots of snow for winter. Niseko temperatures are currently
cold and the forecast is for snow everyday this week. Here’s to a repetition
of the ’98 and ’99 pattern, and more than enough powder to go around!
There is a buzz of change and excitement in Hirafu at present. We are
witnessing new buildings, restaurants and services, combined with increasing
overseas guests numbers. Hopefully some of this enthusiasm will spread to the
Japanese ski world. A bigger and tastier powder pie awaits for all.
