First Guiding Day of the Season: Gate 11 and the Peak with Ski_the_planet

The first guiding day of the season always sets the tone.

This year in Niseko, winter started in an unusual way. We had snowfall early on, but also rain and temperatures well above average for December. Only about a week to ten days before January 9 did things finally shift: colder temperatures, consistent snowfall and several consecutive storms leaving up to 40 cm in some areas.

The base was still thinner than in previous seasons, with bamboo and shrubs showing in places, but conditions were lining up. This was the first real guiding day.

Morning Setup and Expectations

We met at 8:15 AM with the crew from Ski_the_planet: three skiers and snowboarders in their twenties, visiting from the US, documenting their goal of skiing as many resorts around the world as possible.

They arrived slightly late, missing a bit of gear, but everything was sorted quickly. Nearby rentals, final adjustments, then a full briefing:

• How the Niseko gate system works
• Safety protocols
• Beacon check
• Group plan for the day

No long lift lines that morning, which helped us move fast toward the upper mountain. If you’re new to the gates, read how the Niseko gate system works.

Early Decision: Wait on the Peak

Visibility up high wasn’t great. The cloud layer was sitting above Pizza Box, while lower zones still had definition. So we made the call to leave the peak for later:

• Better contrast once things cleared
• Someone else would break trail on the bootpack
• No rush: timing matters

Instead, we pointed the day toward Gate 11.

Gate 11: Deep, Playful and Few Tracks

We moved quickly toward Niseko Village and reached Gate 11 with high expectations, and it delivered. Few tracks. Good visibility. Occasional breaks in the clouds with soft light.

The snow was deep and playful. We rode:

• One line through the central channel
• A second line further skier’s left

Different angles, different flow: both excellent choices.

We stayed longer than planned. Filming, stopping, repeating sections, hunting for the right angles. Faceshots, small drops, clean landings. These guys were riding strong. It was one of those moments where conditions, group level and terrain all align.

Heading for the Peak

Around midday, we shifted focus. Up the Niseko Village Gondola, Ace Pair Four, then a lateral traverse to the top of Pizza Box. Beacon checkpoint (all good) and the bootpack up.

The group was fit. Fifteen to twenty minutes and we were at the summit. A short break inside the hut, then we dropped toward Hanazono.

Visibility at the top was still flat, but as soon as we reached the trees, everything opened up. Deep, untouched snow, but with enough exposed bushes that line choice mattered. We took our time, picked smart lines, and it paid off.

At one point I heard:

“This might be one of the best runs of my life.”

Ski_the_planet

Those are rare moments, and they usually come from good decisions, not luck.

Finishing Strong via Rob Roy

Once on the cat track, we paused briefly before traversing back toward Hanazono. From there, it was about logistics: they had flights that evening, and we needed to end in Hirafu.

Hana 1, 2 and 3: fast transitions. Then a final descent toward Grand Hirafu, passing through Rob Roy, one of those freeride zones that can still hold untouched snow late in the day. Even at that hour, it delivered.

Route of the Day

1. 8:15 Meeting, rentals and full briefing
2. Upper mountain: peak left for later
3. Gate 11: central channel and skier’s left
4. Niseko Village Gondola, Ace Pair Four, traverse to the top of Pizza Box
5. Beacon checkpoint and 15–20 minute bootpack to the summit
6. Through the trees toward Hanazono
7. Cat track and traverse back toward Hanazono
8. Hana 1, 2 and 3
9. Rob Roy down to Grand Hirafu

Want a Day Like This?

Early-season days are when local knowledge pays off most. A guide knows which zones have enough base, where the light is better and when to go for the peak.

January and February days fill first. See how booking works.