Why Pinoys are dashing through the snow in Niseko

It takes more than two hours by bus from Chitose Airport to reach Niseko in the Abuta District, Hokkaido, Japan. This is bustling, ski-serious town, nestled on a mountain range. During the winter season, the snow is powder soft, eggwhite-fluffy, plentiful, and absolutely beautiful. Niseko has been called one of the best places for skiing in the world. But even for non-skiers, Niseko’s piste–perfect snow is so worth touching and falling into.

This Japanese town is unique. There are foreigners running the hotels, restaurants, shops, tours: Australians, Canadians, French (even a physical therapist who comes from Luxembourg!) alongside local Japanese. So, as one walks through the streets, the spoken language is English, with different accents and twangs. It seems that these foreigners love skiing in Niseko so much, they either live there permanently or come every winter season to ski; and they work, so that they can afford to ski.

All the preparations for nine-below-zero Celsius temperatures — Uniqlo Heattech undergarments, waterproof pants, ski jacket, snow boots, woolen cap, earmuffs, snow balaclavas or snood scarves, gloves — are well worth the effort and the expense because these make the visit to this winter wonderland comfortable. There are a number of shops that sell (expensive) winter outfits — so, the visitor who fails to pack enough warm clothes need not freeze to death. But truly, because it is so cold and the place is so clean, one can just layer and “wear and wear.”

There is a variety of winter activities to choose from, aside from skiing: snowboarding, sledding, tubing, trekking, driving a snowmobile and —weather permitting — ziplining. And after such strenuous exercises, there are a lot of restaurants and convenience stores that serve food for the famished. Where else can one buy two ready-to-eat hardboiled eggs, mildly salted and packaged? (Hokkaido is famous for its fresh seafood and its yummy milk, butter, soft-serve ice cream, cheese tarts and cookies. Deliciously long crab legs are featured in many menus, even in ramen!) For those who are not so physically inclined, drink a hot chocolate and make snow angels!

We went with travel buddies Vic and Corlu Caparas (who have already planned their third consecutive annual visit to Niseko for December 2016), and enjoyed walking through a portion of Shikotsu T?ya National Park in snowshoes, driving snowmobiles (it was fun, despite the resulting sore muscles), and welcoming in the New Year, singularly Niseko-style. Close to midnight and with the lights turned off, about 200 torch-bearing skiers formed “2015” morphing into “2016” at the top of a mountain. Then, they skied down, with their torches lighting up the slopes. A display of fireworks followed. What a dramatic way to welcome in 2016!

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