| Niseko Mt. Resort Grand Hirafu | |
|---|---|
| Location | Kutchan, Hokkaidō, Japan |
| Nearest city | Otaru, Hokkaidō; Sapporo, Hokkaidō |
| Vertical | 940 m (3,084 ft) |
| Top elevation | 1,200 m (3,937 ft) |
| Base elevation | 260 m (853 ft) |
| Skiable area | 325 ha (803.1 acres) |
| Runs | 30 |
| Longest run | 5,600 m |
| Lift system | 16 (1 gondola lift, 5 quad chairlifts, and 1 triple chairlifts, 8 pair chairlifts and 1 single chairlift) |
| Web site | Grand Hirafu website |
Niseko Mt. Resort Grand Hirafu (ニセコマウンテンリゾート グラン・ヒラフ Niseko Maunten Guran Hirafu) is a ski resort located in the Hirafu area of Kutchan, Abuta District, Hokkaidō, Hokkaidō, Japan. It is a vast snow resort stretching from Niseko Annupuri’s summit (elevation 1,308.5 m) to its base, and it is famous for its fine-quality powder snow. Because of this, Hirafu is frequented by many non-Japanese skiers and snowboarders.
For a long time, two companies operated the mountain, but in June 2004 it was arranged that the three ski resorts of the Niseko Hirafu area would be administered by the Tokyu Resort Service; Tokyu Real Estate Company, the parent company of the Tokyu Resort Service, wished to consolidate ownership to one organization.
In August 2004, it was announced that an Australian company called Japan Harmony Resort purchased the Hanazono ski area from Tokyu Real Estate. However, so far the two have jointly administered such services as lift tickets. Because of this relationship and the subsequent development of the whole resort, the mountain attracts a large number Australian tourists every winter.
Niseko Higashiyama Ski Ground and Niseko Annupuri International Ski Ground are connected with Grand Hirafu at the top of the mountain, and it is possible to access all three of the slopes by using a special lift ticket called the Niseko Free Passport.
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The lifts run from the end of November until the beginning of May.
The most accessible airport in the region is New Chitose Airport. During the skiing season, both Hokkaido Central Bus (北海道中央バス Hokkaidō Chuou Basu) and Donan Bus Co. (道南バス Dounan Basu) run routes directly to Hirafu from the airport. Also, it is possible to book charter buses (such as Hokkaido Liner and White Liner) from a collaboration of tour groups.
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