7 of the most incredible ski chalets for Japan’s snow season
Find your perfect snow escape in Japan’s best ski chalets.
| THIS ARTICLE WAS CREATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Villa Finder |
Escape to Japan’s hallowed alpine runs with your own snow chalet.
Each January, ski lovers follow the magnetic pull to Japan, where peaks are blanketed in the country’s famous powder snow. Between slurps of ramen and sips of highballs, you’ll need one of Japan’s best ski chalets to call home. Somewhere that suits the whole group’s appetite for balancing runs down the slopes with onsen dips and Japanese eats.
For the perfect mix between challenging and beginner-friendly runs, look to Hokkaido’s Niseko and surrounds. Or stick closer to Tokyo and hit the Japanese alps in Hakuba.
To find your own snow-dusted escape, Villa Finder has curated a luxe selection of holiday rentals. Here are seven of Japan’s best ski chalets for the snow season.
1. Corniche Hirafu Chalet
Sleeps 8
Step into luxury with floor-to-ceiling views.
Picture a sleek, glass-walled mansion sitting in a snow-speckled field, fenced only by the ridge lines of Mt Yotei (Hokkaido’s answer to Mt Fuji). That’s Corniche Hirafu Chalet: a cosy haven of absolute luxury.
Floor-to-ceiling windows line each level, all leading to a private terrace. Gather your friends around the terrace’s firepit or slip into the warmth of your open-air onsen as snow flurries in the night sky. The chalet also includes a sauna, a washer and dryer, and a dry room. Make use of your central Hirafu location in Niseko with three close-by ski lifts.
2. Zai On
Sleeps 16
Hit the slopes, then heat up by the firepit.
Daydream with us a little: you’ve spent the day slicing through Niseko’s infamous powder slopes, muscles aching and stomach rumbling. You’re en route to your private villa’s sauna and jacuzzi before settling in on your rooftop by the fire pit while your private chef (an extra service you can book during your stay) is making dinner. That’s life at Zai On.
Located right in the heart of Hirafu, you’ll be close to exceptional eateries, convenience stores and ski lifts for advanced and beginner-friendly runs. Here, modern luxury meets nature with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the winterscape. The villa has six bedrooms (including one traditional tatami room) with bathrooms. Around the property, find spaces perfect for a quiet sanctuary or group gatherings, including a full-service kitchen.
3. Aya Niseko Penthouse
Sleeps 9
Calle the top floor of Aya Niseko, home.
It’s about time you spent your winter in a penthouse amongst the peaks of snow-tufted mountains. And Aya Niseko Penthouse is the perfect place to do just that. You’ll call the top floor home and have ski-in and -out access, yoga classes, spa treatments and even a gym.
Your stay comes with five bedrooms, a private outdoor onsen, a panoramic view of the neighbouring ski runs, and your own Zen Garden. Using Villa Finder’s concierge service, you can arrange your equipment, ski passes and even your ride from the airport before you’ve even left Australia.
4. The Vale Niseko
Sleeps 4
Wake to Mt Yotei views.
For those on the hunt for intimate accommodation, The Vale Niseko is perfect for four people. Inside your cosy Niseko apartment, you’ll wake up each morning with a panoramic view of Mt Yotei reaching into the sky before clipping into your skis and zooming right out of your accommodation.
You’ll have your own private balcony and full kitchen, so you won’t need to leave your cosy abode for a tasty meal.
5. Kanolly Resorts Hakuba
Sleeps 6
Spiral up to serenity in your open-air bath.
Built on a brief of nature meets architectural excellence, Kanolly Resorts Hakuba is the one for those of us who give equal weight to accommodation and destination. The A-line timber roofs of Kanolly peek out of Echoland village.
Indoors, a spiralling staircase leads to three bedrooms and an open-air private onsen. Thanks to the villa’s location, you’re right by beloved Sanfermo Pizza and the world-class runs of Happo-One and Hakuba 47. The chalet includes a dry room for your equipment, a washing machine and a fully equipped kitchen.
6. One Happo Chalet
Sleeps 10
Shake up your ski trip with martinis and mountain views.
If James Bond were planning a ski trip to Japan, it’s highly likely he’d pick One Happo Chalet. You’ll find it at the base of the towering 3000-metre Japanese Alps.
Inside, pour shaken martinis at the marble bar, laze by the fireplace or get competitive at the glass billiards table. The chalet comes complete with sweeping views of the landscapes turned celestial by the snow. The design is built around rich, wood panelling and spacious rooms. Enjoy your private onsen before making use of the three nearby lifts up to legendary Happo-One.
7. Villa El Cielo
Sleeps 10
Soothe your soul with peaks and fireplaces.
Villa El Cielo is tucked away in a frosted forest, just 150 metres from the Sakka Slope lifts. The home itself is all Japanese cedar wood panelling, glass floor to ceiling panoramas and cosy fireplaces.
Breathe in fresh mountain air from the wrap-around verandah. Make use of the grand kitchen, featuring a dry room for your gear, heated floors, a stone-set fireplace, a coffee maker and even a rice maker.
About Villa Finder
Whether you’re looking for the perfect base for your group ski trip or a couple’s getaway, Villa Finder will ensure your ski trip is nothing short of extraordinary.
Unlike traditional booking platforms, the team delivers a fully curated experience. Expect pre-hired equipment and ski lessons in the diary for those in your group who need a refresher. And – if your group just cannot settle on where to go – the team will help guide you to the best area, based on your skill level and interests.
Aside from ensuring your trip is one you won’t forget, Villa Finder also takes the quality of your stay seriously. Each property featured on their site is inspected regularly to make sure the images you see are what you get upon check-in.
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