Famous for its wide powder bowls and exciting tree runs, Hanazono Niseko is probably the most playful of the four Niseko United resorts. With its uncomplicated three-chairlift system, several jib parks, a dedicated ski school and a wide area set-up for fun snow activities including tubing, this resort is a fun and family-friendly, accommodating for all types of skiers and snowboarders.

In this second installment of our “Get to Know” blog series, we look at Hanazono resort.

Hanazono – Niseko’s Family Friendly Resort.

Hanazono has good range of groomers, from wide sprawling runs to narrower, flat runs, and three park areas to play in. Booking a mountain guide is the best way to get to know the area, as well as for those who wish to explore the backcountry and to quickly get to grips with the Niseko Gate System.

Hanazono is also a great place to base yourself for the day if you are not staying in nearby accommodation. The resort may not have a town, unlike Grand Hirafu Village, but it does have a spacious restaurant, live music every day, plus services at the rental and retail shop. Those who hold an All Mountain Lift Pass can ski between Hanazono and Grand Hirafu by taking the top chairlifts and skiing over into each resort (as well as reach the other two Niseko United resorts, Niseko Village and Annupuri).

Top Tip: Hanazono offers group lessons through their dedicated ski school NISS, which offers a frequent free shuttle service to and from Grand Hirafu Village.