Does St. Nick Love Niseko As Much As We Do?
Saturday, December 13th, 2008
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| Happy Holidays!
Could it really be a month since our last update from Niseko? Our little community has been a hive of activity over the last month and we’d like to share a few of the high points. We are skiing almost every day (outside business hours of course) and Christmas and New Year are upon us.
Your Monthly Update from “Powder Paradise”Goodbye Builders – Hello Guests! We’ve had a steady stream of guests through the resort this month to get the season started. Most importantly, we are proud to announce that over the New Year period the Chalets at Country Resort are 100% occupied! That is a first for us and we are looking strong into February. If you or anyone you know is looking for a great holiday, be sure to contact us quickly as we expect that there will be many more totally booked out times. Our marketing team has been working hard and the enquiries keep coming. Just last week, we were featured in the charity auction for the Britcham function in Singapore. After a frenzy of bidding (if you were there you know what I am talking about), the lucky winner donated more than $10,000 Singapore dollars to a worthy cause just so his family could stay with us. That’s indicative of the enthusiasm that our recent guests have had for the place. As we wave goodbye to our guests heading for the airport, the most common response is “See you next year!” To get your friends a great holiday, be sure to email Hayley at hayley.richards@nisekoresortsgroup.com.
“We’re Here to Help…”Last newsletter we announced our concierge service would begin for owners and their guests on December 1. From that first moment, the serv
 ice has been a big hit. Recent guests are glowing in their compliments (I would to if I had been pulled out of a snowdrift by the team – not the usual duty) and the team are getting to be well known in the village. As you can see from the picture, they are fitting in well with the environement. Our team is now complete with Joel Egan from Melbourne, Australia joining Anna Newland and Alexander Rowe from Sydney on the ground. So you know, Joel is a veteran of ski resorts such as Banff and Vail and is certified as a ski and snowboard technician. Before you head out to the Mountain, it might be worth a chat to Joel to see how he can help. The ground team wish everyone a happy and safe festive season and look forward to helping make your stay as comfortable as possible.Mountain Conditions We all love Niseko for the snow. The start of the season has seen sporadic snowfalls, but enough big dumps to get the slopes humming. We’ve had some great runs out there already. Last week’s heavy falls resulted in the peak being opened meaning you have total access to the Mountain now. Snowfall is forecast to be light, but consistent over the New Year period and we are all looking forward to more great powder.Celebrity InterviewWe’ve had some great guests so far this year. Each month, we’d like to feature a few words from one of our guests. This month, we are pleased to hear from Sarah Headifen, a Director of www.SkiTraveller.co.nz in Auckland, New Zealand. Sarah has skied all around the world and came to stay with us at The Chalets during her first Japan tour.
How does Niseko compare to other Japanese ski areas that you’ve visited on this trip?
Niseko is huge and continually expanding. This is especially important because of the amount of competition in the region. If you can take on that competition and still be expanding at the rate Niseko is, you’ve got to be doing something right!
What about the potential for growth of Niseko?
It’s terrifically placed, especially when compared to other Japanese resorts. We’ve noticed a definite slowdown in development fo other Japanese resorts exacerbated by the recent economic crisis (note: she really did say exacerbated, we had to look it up). Niseko seems to have bucked this trend, or at least be handling it well.
And what about the Chalets at Country Resort?
The chalets are well placed, even when facing all this competition. New developments are springing up everywhere. It has a targeted, niche market for its services. It’s in a quiet, private part of town away from all the hectic development, yet close enough to be easily accessed throught the private, shuttle bus.
Finally, will you be back to visit?
Definitely, you can count on it. We look forward to seeing The Chalets when Phase 3 has finished.
As you read this, the moving trucks are here with furniture for the latest chalets to be complete. We should have the furniture in before the New Year and then we are only waiting for the proper innkeepers licences to be granted by the local authorities. When we have the licences, the chalets will be straight into the rental pool (guests are waiting).
 We’ll be back next month with another guest interview. Will it be you, [fname]?
Naughty or Nice?
2009 Forecast – Plenty of Family Fun at The Chalets at Country ResortWith all its snow and eager outdoor enthusiasts, you can always have a good time here at The Chalets. We’ll be documenting our experiences through this newsletter as well as our website and we hope that you will let us share in the good times through all your photos and stories. You can check up on us any time at www.nisekoresortsgroup.com. Again, have a happy holiday season from all of us at Niseko Resorts Group.
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Anyone who has been to Niseko during the Christmas season has heard the rumors…We love Santa and Santa loves the powder. As the story goes, he likes to come to Niseko a bit early to limber up for his big journey and sneak in a few runs while others are distracted. We have it on good authority that an “Alex-sized” Santa will be spending some time in the Chalets at Country Resort on the 24th, just prior to his big adventure. If anyone sees Santa, could you please tell him to bring lot’s of snow to the area. Also, could you please take a picture so we can feature it prominently in our blog (it could be worth something you know).