ニセコユナイテッド, Niseko United

Niseko United is a single lift-ticket linking four resorts, Grand Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village and Annupuri, that ring the flanks of Mt Niseko Annupuri in south-western Hokkaido. Weather systems crossing the Sea of Japan dump extraordinarily light, dry snow here with almost metronomic regularity, giving the mountain its 'Japow' reputation. The terrain is mostly rolling and forested, with glades between well-spaced birch and beech that hold powder for days. Across the valley, the near-perfect cone of Mt Yotei presides over the whole scene. It feels less like a traditional Japanese resort and more like a global powder crossroads, buzzing with skiers from Australia, Asia, Europe and North America.

You come to Niseko for the snow, plain and simple: few places on the planet deliver such frequent, feather-light powder with such dependability. It suits powder-hungry intermediates and experts who want tree runs and gate-accessed backcountry, but the wide groomers and English-speaking ski schools also make it unusually welcoming for families and less confident skiers. The international infrastructure, dining and nightlife mean it appeals as much to those who want a full resort holiday as to hardcore riders.

The season is defined by relentless snowfall and often flat, socked-in light, so locals learn to love skiing the trees where definition returns. Storms roll through frequently, refreshing the glades and off-piste faces almost daily through the heart of winter. Cold, dry Siberian air keeps the snow light rather than heavy, and the marked backcountry gates open and close with conditions and avalanche risk.