Niseko like a pro 🏂✨👌🏻

This one goes out to the first-timer Niseko Zesties (like I was few months ago)! Here's all you need a know about snowboarding (or skiing) in Niseko and what you need to prep before the trip –

🏂 Lessons: Some people in the group that we went with tried half day, full day, and specialised workshop classes with GoSnow! For beginners like me, I went for the full day one which gives me more time to build up my confidence and try it in a safe space. Anyway, the instructor will meet you at the Gondola Base to bring you to the designated spot. They will ask you for your level again before sorting you into groups to line up (LIKE IN SCHOOL LOL)! They go all the way to the basics like how to wear your gears, how to slide with one foot on the board and the other on the ground, and you'll advance to taking a magic carpet (aka mini escalator to the tiny slope) and learning heel and toe side, leaf exercise, and if you can get it quicker, turns!

💲~100-110SGD for full day

🎿 Rentals: We booked a standard board and boot package and added on the helmet (you should always wear a helmet unless you are super advanced!). We parked somewhere at level 1 so we had to climb upstairs to register with booking ID and get fitted! Everything was pretty fuss free because Rhythm is near Hirafu base & our accoms (we drove so it's a super short journey)! Whole thing was done in less than an hour (plus slight queues, payment, walking for the whole group to be done).

💲~500 for board boots and helmet rentals for 6 days

🥽 Outfit: First of all, goggles. Ordered goggles from Amazon and I swear I should have researched about the lens 🥲 The color I chose was apparently made for dark conditions aka night runs (which tbh we did not experience) and I actually took out the goggles mid way 'cause IT WAS TOO BRIGHT & I couldn't see shit. Get something with rose or brown tones (see pic) and you'd be good to go for all conditions. Also get the face mask / balaclava! When you're snowboarding down the slopes, the wind hits your face and it gets pretty painful! For the jacket and pants, I borrowed the jacket from my sister-in-law and bought the pants from decathlon. Rhythm also sells outfits and accessories which we were SUPER TEMPTED to buy 🤣 but didn't because there's apparently somewhere else in the city for this (will share after our next snow trip, let us try it out and take some pics first)!

🗺️ Slopes & Pit Stop: There are 3 bases at Niseko and I like Annupuri the best! It's the most beginner friendly as the slopes are wider and flatter, good to practice S turns. The reds were also doable after a few days of greens! Highly recommend doing a pit stop at Paradise Hut for tea and cinnamon bun, super good okay?!? See pic for 2 ways to get there!

One more thing, trying to get up (with your snowboard on) is much harder than falling SOOO don't be afraid to fall! I fell ALOT, not demure not mindful at all 🤪 It really doesn't matter how fast or slow you pick up the sport, just remember to have fun & enjoy the process ✨ You're not in school getting graded for napfa alrd so who cares!! See you on the slopes 🫶

- Wewnelly 🍋

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