Alpen Ridge

We've stayed here for the past couple years, in different units. Positives: - Hard to beat the location - NBS ski rental and school / kids club in same building - Spitting distance to the Ace Family lift - Easy to walk to Hirafu shops and restaurants Negatives: - Units have no character - very basic, bathrooms look like public bathrooms - Staff do the bare minimum to be helpful - Some units have great views of the slopes or Yotei, BUT note that most units do not have much of a view - Other than storage lockers on the ground floor, there are no other amenities at Alpen Ridge - it would be nice for some communal space and activities - Early check-out - OVERPRICED relative to quality

This is our 6-7 Niseko trips in the last 8 years. This is definitely the best ski-in ski-out hotel in the Hirafu area! Hotel is just right beside the family lift! Imagine this, fill in the gear rental form the night before you ski day. After a nice breakfast in your room. Go down to the ground floor and pick up your gear from Ski Lockers or Hotel Gear Rental shop. Slip outside the door and you will be on the lift within a few mins. The lift is just less than a 100m away from the hotel! This is not it. After a long day, you feel fulfilled and tired. One last trip down hill, skis pass the family family lift and ski all the way to the hotel door front. Take off your gear, store in the locker and go up to your room. Have a hot shower. Leave the hotel and walk 5 mins to Hirafu main street to pick your favorite dinner. Drink all you can drink, no need to worry about driving or calling a cab. Go back to your hotel, lay down on the couch in front of the fire stove (OK, it’s not real fire, it’s an emu) and watch Netflix. Then call it a day. Is there a better ski-in ski-out experience than this in Hirafu? I doubt it. Everything is within a few mins of walking distance. Hotel room is really nice, well equipped with top of the line kitchenware, they even equipped Miele Oven! AND YOU HAVE YOUR OWN IN HOUSE DRY ROOM!!!! DRY YOUR HELMET AND GLOVES ETC! Tips from us: Niseko restaurants can get very busy during high season, a nice kitchen is a must have even not for long stays! Trust me, a nice kitchen is a must!!