Grand Hirafu Now Open For The 2016/17 Season

26 November, 2016 Sofie Lahtinen

Niseko welcomes the official start of the 2016/17 winter season with the opening of Grand Hirafu Mt Resort today.

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Group of riders pleased with their first runs for the season on Grand Hirafu.

Niseko locals and visitors celebrated the official opening of the Grand Hirafu Mt Resort today by hitting the slopes with their first runs for the season.

Riders were on the lifts nice and early, eager to try out the mountain for the first time this season. For some, it was their very first time to ride in Niseko. Friends, families, couples and solo-riders were about and had big smiles on their faces post-ride. We captured some of the action around .Base with a sense of excitement and anticipation in the air.

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Friends excited to get their first runs for the season.

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The scurry to get strapped in and to the lifts.

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A couple new to Niseko, about to enjoy their first runs at Niseko's Grand Hirafu.

Here's the details for the opened lifts and courses at Grand Hirafu so you can hit the slopes:

LIFT
・Ace Pair Lift #3　8:30-15:30
・Ace Quad Lift #2 Center 4 (transport lift)

COURSE
・Center course
*Other courses are closed due to insufficient snow condition. Please do not enter under any circumstances.

Annupuri also opened today with the remaining lifts to open on December 3rd. Plus, don't forget about the EARLY SEASON SPECIAL Niseko Grand Hirafu 1-day pass (Limited November 26th-30th, 2016)

Adult: 2,000 yen
Child: (7-12)/Student/Senior(60+): 1,000 yen

So grab your board or skis and head on over to join in the action! Don't forget to tag #experienceniseko on Instagram to share your Niseko mountain time with us!

Check out more snow snaps from today's opening:

Riders fresh of the slopes.
London couple enjoy first time in Niseko.
.Base open for business.
Beginners and advanced were out and about.
Snowboard waiting for its owner.
Up, up and away.
Riders about at Grand Hirafu's .Base
Riders ready to take the lifts up.
Sofie Lahtinen
Sofie Lahtinen

Australian-born and Euro-blooded, Sofie has been living in Niseko since 2016. When she's not behind a desk, she gets her kicks from yoga, cycling, Mother Nature, and as a self-confessed 'speed-demon', riding anything with wheels or a motor is top of the list. Sofie's perfect day ends by getting red-faced in an onsen, then polishing off a bowl of Hokkaido's famous soup curry (yes, it's a thing!).