Skiing took centre stage in Japan shortly after the 1972 Olympics in Sapporo. Prompted by the popular ski movie Watashi wo sukii ni tsuretete (Take Me Skiing, 1987), the Japanese took to skiing with a passion, with new ski resorts opening all over the country.
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View of the original development in 1982
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| Niseko Village Resort now |
The third of four resorts to form Niseko United, Niseko Higashiyama (now Niseko Village) began its lift operations in 1982 with the first quad lift of the area. This comes just six years before the “ski boom” that Niseko and Kutchan would experience from 1988 to 1992, when the Japanese travelled in droves to experience the already famous powder, sparking exponential development for the whole area. Even prior to the economic bubble (1986-1993), Niseko Higashiyama was flocked to, known as the “Oriental Saint Moritz”.
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| Line for the original Higashiyama Gondola, back in 1983 |
From 1994, the legend that was Niseko reached the ears of Australians, prompting not only holiday interests but entrepreneurial initiatives seeing the opening of pensions and snowsports schools run by “gaijin” (foreigners). By 2004, the Australian interest in Japan peaked with Australian Airlines operating direct flights from Cairns to Sapporo. Closer than Canada and Europe, Japan offered Australians an affordable, unique snow experience minus the time difference. Years go by and international visitor numbers grow steadily. Shops and restaurants increasingly use English signage, contributing to the unique subculture of the Niseko area. From Japanese to international visitors, one fact remains: passion reigns. A vacation seems insufficient, as holiday seekers strive to become a part of the tapestry of cultures, adding to the organic nature of the area’s growth. Today, it is a spectacular, web-like community to behold.
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| Skiers outside the now Lookout Cafe, in 1984 |
In 2010, YTL Hotels, which owns and manages prestigious award winning resorts, hotels and spas acquired Niseko Village: an “All Season” resort comprising Hilton Niseko Village, The Green Leaf Niseko Village, golf courses and Niseko Village ski fields. The company’s vision of designing a multi-phased redevelopment plan commenced with the completion of renovations for the 200-room The Green Leaf Niseko Village in the summer of 2010. Today, Niseko Village boasts over 900,000m2 of skiable terrain, an international snowsports school, two international standard hotels and spas, a range of exclusive dining options, an outdoor nature park and two golf courses. The next phase of the redevelopment is being outlined with the awareness of bringing a natural essence of culture, character and tradition from the area. We say, on to new frontiers!
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| Entrance to The Green Leaf, new in 2010 |
