Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Niseko Cycle Week is almost upon us again!

Niseko Cycle Week 2010

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Now’s the time to start sweetening up the boss for some time off, getting up at dawn for secret training rides, and making up for eleven indulgent months in preparation for one of the year’s biggest events – the weeklong celebration of all things Niseko and bicycle-related that’s simply known round here as Cycle Week.


For those of you who don’t know it, NCW is as light-hearted as it is deadly earnest. The serious cyclists among us get veeeery serious while the rest of us bumble around giggling at our own ineptitude. But we still get out there and turn up for some of the fun events that range from long, timed road rides thru Bike-To-Work and social events, to MTB huckarounds. It really doesn’t matter what you get involved in – so long as you’re involved somehow.


This year will also see Hokkaido’s biggest pro cycling race roll into Niseko as the Tour de Hokkaido visits town on September 18. If you haven’t experienced the power of 200+ pro riders at race pace then definitely make sure you check this out. They truly motor!


NHHC Peloton

Soooo. Do what you feel you must: train, or moan about your lack thereof, but get yourself registered for this year’s Niseko Cycle Week. They’ll also be looking for volunteers soon, and for any generous local companies it’s a great way to get your company name out in front of people! Check it out at:www.nisekocycleweek.com


See you there… (I’ll be the one walking his bike up the hills!)

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Amazing house 4 sale in Niseko Japan

Situated around the corner from the new 308 day centre at Hanazono in Niseko and a 10-minute drive to both Hirafu Village and the town of Kutchan, this 5-bedroom home with modern furnishings is in a prime location.

YTL's Niseko Village hotel undergoes renovation

YTL Hotel Group's multi-billion Yen master plan is redefining alpine luxury in Niseko, Japan. The award-winning New York based firm Champalimaud Design is orchestrating the renovation of the 200-room Green Leaf Niseko Village, slated for completion in time for the ski season end of 2010, and to be unveiled as 'The Green Leaf Niseko Village, a YTL Lifestyle Resort'. The renovation of the ski-in, ski-out Green Leaf is the first of YTL's multi-phased redevelopment plan for Niseko Village and will re-open its doors to guests on 1st December, 2010.

Renowned for creating distinctive interiors that reflect their unique setting, Champalimaud Design has worked its style magic on some of the world's leading hotels including London's Berkeley and Dorchester hotels to the highly acclaimed redesign of the suites at The Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel, in Manhattan. 'Niseko is now recognized as a highly desirable international destination', says President and Principal Designer Alexandra Champalimaud, 'and this is a wonderful opportunity to transform a property with an unparalleled location, therapeutic natural onsen and Mt. Yotei views into a modern social space attractive to a youthful and global clientele.'

The Green Leaf Niseko Village proudly houses an extensive collection of original artwork by celebrated Japanese artist Soichiro Tomioka (1922-1994). Tomioka's life long study and portrayal of crisp forested winter landscapes is broadly represented in the collection with each guestroom, boasting an original work of its own. Paying homage to his aesthetic, Champalimaud Design has created guestrooms which communicate serenely with the surrounding environment. Traditional elements of European mountain chic are made more contemporary and overlaid with elements of Japanese aesthetic.

Unobstructed views of Hokkaido's majestic Mt. Yotei can be seen from the elegant corner suites and guestrooms. The Green Leaf Niseko Village will reopen with eight Corner Suites comprised of a parlor room, 40" flat panel television, wet bar, powder room, and accommodation for a family of four. In addition, 25 deluxe guestrooms will offer king beds, 32" flat panel television and accommodation for three. For families traveling with children, these deluxe guestrooms have been designed to connect to triple rooms for added space. All 200 rooms will include plush bedding, fine linens, quality amenities, multi-language television programming and wireless Internet.

Sharing in the YTL belief that wellbeing is the principal ingredient in a balanced contemporary accommodation; each room is at its core a practical, restful and peaceful place. Throughout the hotel, whether seated in front of the fireplaces in the living room lobby lounge, or at a fireside dinner enjoying the diverse menu in the completely redesigned main restaurant, the Green Leaf Niseko Village is designed to meet the needs and expectations of a cosmopolitan and discerning clientele. Furthermore, the hotel is a prime year-round mountain lodge with an array of seasonally changing landscapes for activities ranging from powder skiing to two 18-hole championship golf courses, one of which was designed by Arnold Palmer.

The Green Leaf Niseko Village can cater to every fitness level and to every desired extreme sensation in a myriad of activities; paragliding, trekking, trails for horseback riding, kayaking and river rafting, tennis and much more. This multi-faceted destination promises unrivalled accessibility to the benefits of the finest resort destination in Japan. No matter which pursuit occupies your day, the intimate forested onsen - a therapeutic natural volcanic hot spring, is the perfect place to soak away tension and time. A vast menu of different traditional therapeutic massages, manicures and pedicures are offered in the adjacent spa.

During the White Season, begin your day in our purpose designed skier services building which features a full equipment rental counter, fireplace and multi-purpose lounge with cinema display screen. On the roof of the skier services building, and unlike any other accommodation in Niseko, guests may enjoy a scenic moment, lunch and mugs of beer on our open air rooftop Beer Garden and Grill, accessible directly from the ski slopes.

The sophisticated facilities and contemporary comforts of the Green Leaf Niseko Village are accessible through Sapporo's International Chitose Airport - Niseko's getaway to greater Asia, with direct flights from Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul and Singapore, to name a few.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Niseko Freedom Inn Specials Discounts & Offers | Freedom Inn | Hanazono

Special Discounts and Offers
Freedom Inn offers great savings on its already low rates with special discounts so that your Niseko holiday can be enjoyed stress-free. Check-out the below programs and tune into this space for more to come!

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT
15% off of published accommodation rates for 2010-2011 winter bookings made and fully paid by September 1, 2010. First 20 people receive a FREE 1-day lift pass!

CORPORATE AFFILIATE DISCOUNT
10% off of accommodation, lift tickets, lessons, rentals and more for registered corporate partners and their employees with no black-out dates

FREEDOM INN REFERRAL POINTS
Receive 3,500 Freedom Points for introducing new guests to the Freedom Inn. Each introduction of a new staying guest equals a free lift ticket; 5 new introductions can be converted into a free night!



http://www.freedom-inn.jp/en/content/special-discounts-and-offers