Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Many people think that Niseko is made up of four ski resorts, yet in reality Niseko is comprised of five ski areas. The small Moiwa ski resort is often considered to be the forgotten cousin of Niseko. Niseko Moiwa may be hidden in the shadow of the ever popular
Niseko United, yet Moiwa can be a superb place to feed your addiction for powder. Slightly away from the hustle and bustle of Niseko United, the Niseko Moiwa Resort (formerly known as La Ponte) receives awesome dumps of snow but minus the mega hordes.
Pros and Cons of Moiwa
ProsÂ
- Moiwa offers very good lift accessed backcountry, although long traverses are required to get back to the lifts (which isn’t too dissimilar to Niseko United).
- As part of Konbu Onsen, the area around Moiwa is renowned for some amazing onsen.
- Much of the Moiwa lodging provides better value for money than Hirafu or the other Niseko villages, and there is inexpensive accommodation close to the slopes.
- The Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort is unintimidating, unfrenzied and stress-free, so it’s a nice place for beginners to learn.
- You can ski or snowboard from Moiwa to Niseko United via the sidecountry (if the backcountry gate is open) and return via a trail.
Cons
- Moiwa is a small ski area with respect to piste and terrain within the resort boundaries.
- If you stay in the Moiwa village, the options for evening dining and drinking are very limited.
- Various accommodation providers in Moiwa offer shuttles from Moiwa to other parts of Niseko, but these are not very regular.
- Without fresh snow, advanced riders will find it very boring, although the same could be said for lots of Japanese ski resorts.
Pro or Con Depending on Your Perspective
- The courses are uncrowded relative to Niseko United. The off-piste and sidecountry zones are a little quieter than Niseko, although the main easy zones get hit pretty quickly on a powder day. Nevertheless, relative to many ski resorts around the world, Moiwa is still a powder gem.
- Moiwa is not part of the Niseko United lift pass or the Ikon Pass, but this helps to keep the crowds down.
- There is no longer a shuttle from Hirafu to Moiwa. This also helps to minimise the powder hunting crowds.
Moiwa Ski and Snowboard Terrain
The terrain at Moiwa is small and short with only 8 marked trails (or courses as the Japanese like to call them) and 470 metres of vertical (330 – 800m), but it’s very sweet because it’s quiet relative to Niseko United. The Moiwa ski resort is serviced by 4 lifts: a covered high speed quad; 2 pair lifts; and a covered magic carpet for novices.
Most of the courses are delightfully groomed and nothing is steep, whilst the main event for powder hounds is the many off-piste lines through the trees, and the delicious sidecountry and backcountry that’s a very short hike away.
Advanced riders can get across to Niseko Annupuri and then onto other parts of Niseko United.
[AdListings collection="Japan" category="Moiwa" subcategory="Lift Tickets"]
Moiwa Snow
Of course the piece de resistance of Niseko Moiwa is the snow. Moiwa receives about 10 to 14 metres of snow per season, which amounts to a very good score on the pow-dometer. The aspect is sunnier than the nearby ski areas, yet with consistently cold temperatures in winter, the reliability and quality of the snow is very similar to that of its famous neighbour. Moiwa could be the place to revel in over the head blower powder!
Where is Moiwa Ski Resort?
Moiwa is far enough away from the frenzy of Niseko Hirafu so you can enjoy the relative serenity, but also close enough to Niseko United to provide easy access to the fun and frivolity of this large ski resort.
Moiwa sits on the same mountain as the Niseko United ski resorts, to the skiers’ right of the
Niseko Annupuri Ski Resort; about 1.8km via road. It’s possible for intermediate riders to ski into the Moiwa village from An’nupuri via the piste (but not back), and in the right conditions experienced riders can ski over to Niseko via backcountry gate number 6.
Some of the hotels and lodges in the Moiwa area provide shuttles across to Niseko United (e.g. to Annupuri).
From the New-Chitose Airport there are
shuttle transfer options to get to Moiwa.
Niseko Moiwa shouldn’t be confused with the
Moiwayama Ski Resort near Sapporo.
Moiwa Accommodation
Moiwa Accommodation Listings
If you’re really looking for inexpensive Moiwa accommodation, check out
Lodge Moiwa 834. The lodge provides modern capsule accommodation, and it’s only 1 minute walk to the slopes.
Moiwa Lodge is just a few minutes walk to the lifts. This Moiwa accommodation is popular with powder skiers and boarders who don’t need the frills of Hirafu, and enjoy hanging out with like-minded pow chasers in the lounge areas, restaurant and bar. The affordability is probably also a drawcard. Accommodation options include twin, triple and family rooms with private toilet and wash basin, and self-contained cottages. They also have dormitory accommodation for the particularly frugal. For those that don’t want to ski at Moiwa, free shuttles are provided to Annupuri of Niseko United.
Hotel Kanronomori is a beautiful Japanese hotel that has fantastic indoor and outdoor onsen baths on-site. It's located about 700m from the lifts, and shuttles are provided to the Moiwa slopes, Annupuri and Hirafu.
One Niseko Resort Towers is a deluxe hotel located near the base of Moiwa Ski Resort, with rooms ranging from studios to massive grand suites that sleep up to 5 adults.
To ski at Moiwa you can also stay in one of the Niseko villages (Niseko Village, Hanazono, or the mega Niseko Hirafu). Stay in Hirafu accommodation if you want to get the free shuttle bus to Moiwa. See our
Niseko accommodation page for more lodging options.
Moiwa Facilities
Moiwa has a modern day lodge that houses the ski resort facilities and services. Upstairs is a restaurant where you can feast on ramen, udon noodles, pizza, hamburgers or fried chicken.
The day lodge also has a small ski and snowboard rental shop, and large changing rooms and a powder room for the ladies, although one could swear that the real powder room is out in the Moiwa backcountry!
The Moiwa ski school offers snowsports lessons in a private format.
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[AdListings collection="Japan" category="Moiwa" subcategory="Rentals"]
Moiwa Restaurants & Bars
The base area of Moiwa has very limited options for evening dining and nightlife.
[AdListings collection="Japan" category="Niseko" subcategory="Moiwa Restaurants"]
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Nearby at One Niseko Resort is the Tura Restaurant and One Bar, which is a very sedate whisky bar.
A little further afield at Hotel Kanronomori is Restaurant Cullinet which requires a reservation, and Restaurant Creo which serves snacks and a la carte meals.