The best spring conditions in Niseko's 50-year skiing history and bare bones prices await skiers and snowboarders to Japan's premier ski destination in March.
After receiving more than 18 metres of snow in the past three months - more than the 15-metre average for a full season - Niseko has a 4.2-metre base at the top of the resort and the least crowded slopes in memory.
"The season has been incredible," says the general manager of SkiJapan.com, Marcus Williams. "Niseko still gets falls of dry powder throughout March, so there is more snow to come. But March snowfalls aren't as frequent as in January and February, which means milder weather and sunny days as well as an uncrowded village and slopes.
"What's more, fewer visitors this year means lift lines are non-existent and the powder on the mountain has remained untracked longer than usual."
Also adding to Niseko's appeal are a high Australian dollar exchange rate, which has helped cut prices by up to 60 percent from peak season for some self contained apartments managed by SkiJapan.com.
A package of seven nights accommodation in Kamakura Apartment with a six-day all-mountain lift pass, return airport transfers and the services of the SkiJapan.com local office - plus free equipment rental for children - has been slashed to 238,000 Yen ($A2900) for two adults and two children under 12. The same package for four adults is 73,900 Yen ($A902) per person. Air fares to and from Sapporo are additional, but the cost of flights in March is less than during peak season, while prices of lift passes are also discounted.
Among special offers from SkiJapan.com in March are one free night accommodation for each 7-day booking (two free nights for 14 days), free lift passes and free ski rental for children 12 and under.
For more information, visit www.skijapan.com or phone: Australia +612 9938 9900, Hong Kong +852 3596 5595, Japan +81 136 22 4611.
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For more photos & information, contact:
Paul Myers, Asian Travel Media, Bangkok
Email: paul@asiantravelmedia.com
Tel: +66 (0) 84 125 1894
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
