Niseko Village really surprised me. The Runs next to the highest lifts were littered with these bushy trees and great snow. And the views of Mt. Yotei were insane. We lapped this top section over and over before heading down and riding the lower stuff that Niseko Village had to offer. Gate 11 was open so we unstrapped, checked our beacons and hiked through the gate.(about 5 mins) Gate 11 had some funnnn steep sections with quality snow still. The gate eventually funnels you into a Gully which because of the poor snowfall year, had us getting absolutely destroyed by sassa grass towards the bottom of the run. Once again the groomers were wide and fun although we spent the most time in the trees. The lift system was very similar to the other Niseko Resorts. The gondola at the bottom was outdated but super unique and would be a shame if they ever replaced it. The village is not a bad place to stay because your just a short ride away from all of the things to do in Hirafu but at a far cheaper price. Niseko Village was also considerably less crowded every time we rode there. I would 100% ride there again.
See our video here

Niseko Village continues to evolve and will grow further in coming years. It’s currently very resort oriented whereby the Niseko Village base largely consists of two large hotels. This is very common for a Japanese ski resort, but in stark contrast to the village of Hirafu. It’s probably ideal for a ski holiday of approximately 5 nights or less, but if you’re looking for a longer Niseko holiday you may prefer to stay in Hirafu where there is a large range of restaurants, bars and shops. There are transport options to/from Hirafu but the buses were over-subscribed, so many guests had to wait for the next bus (or pay the premium for a taxi which also had a long wait time).

The views of Mt Yotei are particularly imposing from the Niseko Village, and it’s a great destination if you’re looking for an upscale holiday experience. Niseko Village is also well suited to those requiring ski/snowboard lessons or child care.

Other pros and cons are outlined on the Niseko Village overview page.

We really enjoyed our stay at Niseko Village and you see our Green Leaf Hotel review for more information.
See our video here