Niseko United, encompassing the four ski resorts of Niseko Annupuri, Niseko Village, Hanazono and Grand Hirafu, won the award in the inaugural World Ski Awards, a sister event of the World Travel Awards, dubbed ‘the Oscars of the travel industry’. This exclusive awards programme is the first ever to acknowledge the finest brands in the global ski hospitality industry in the top 20 ski nations.
 

The award confirms what ski enthusiasts have known for some time; Niseko Village, located on Mount Annupuri, is home to perfect white powder, a huge variety of ski and après-ski activities, stunning mountain vistas and an exquisite balance of traditional Japanese and modern facilities. Comprising of two YTL Hotel properties, the Hilton Niseko Village and the Green Leaf Niseko Village, the area is considered Japan’s premier year-round mountain resort.

The Green Leaf Niseko Village is a 200-room hotel featuring everything from the natural outdoor traditional Japanese onsen to the ubiquitous Japanese vending machines on each floor of the hotel. The hotel’s ski-in, ski-out facilities means the mountain is immediately accessible, and The Green Leaf Base Camp offers snow sports services for every level of skier; from mountain passes, ski and snowboard equipment rental, to lessons and activities such as Snowmobile Adventures, Cat Skiing and Snow Rafting.

After a day on the slopes, guests can relax in The Green Leaf’s onsen, an outdoor rock pool filled by a natural volcanic hot spring, overlooking the snow-blanketed boughs of the alpine forest. If the onsen doesn’t appeal, travellers can sink into a deep shiatsu massage at the Green Leaf Spa for complete therapeutic relaxation.

Another key feature Niseko Village has mastered is its culinary options; guests can choose from contemporary Western and Japanese all-day dining at Goshiki, to warm mulled wine après ski drinks at Tomioka White. Guests can also head 5-minutes down the road to The Crab Shack to partake in a belly-warming feast featuring steaming nabe hotpot and Hokkaido’s renowned snow crabs and hairy crabs.

The Green Leaf Niseko Village also offers guests complimentary WiFi, unbound by passwords. Rooms are comfortable and practical, equipped with ensuite bathrooms, flatscreen TVs and large windows that highlight and communicate the breathtaking scenery that surrounds. This is echoed by the artwork of renowned Japanese artists Sochiro Tomioka and Emi Shiratori which are displayed throughout the hotel.

Australians who want to experience the best of skiing in Japan should head to The Green Leaf Niseko Village for the upcoming 2013/2014 winter season. Rates start from AUD $214 for a double room and are bookable through YTL Travel Centre (emailtravelcentre@ytlhotels.com.my or call +603 2783 1000). To peruse all-inclusive packages suited to beginner or intermediate skiers, singles, couples, or families, visit The Green Leaf Hotel website.

About the World Ski Awards
The inaugural World Ski Awards is a sister event of World Travel Awards, dubbed ‘the Oscars of the travel industry’. This exclusive awards programme is the first ever to acknowledge the finest brands in the global ski hospitality industry in the top 20 ski nations. Voting is conducted by the public and leading professionals working in the ski and tourism industry across the globe, with the view of acknowledging the elite, raising the guest experience and stimulating new demand.

About Niseko Village 
Nestled at the south base of Mount Annupuri, Niseko Village is Japan’s premier year-round mountain resort. Often compared to other world-class ski resorts like Aspen in Colorado and Niseko’s sister city St. Moritz in Switzerland, Niseko Village comprises of the Hilton Niseko Village –voted ‘Best Ski Resort Hotel in Japan’ by World Ski Awards 2013, the Green Leaf Niseko Village, two resort golf courses including one designed by Arnold Palmer, and the Niseko Village skifield – known the world over for its fluffy, dry powder snow at low-altitude, variety of ski terrains, the world-class Niseko Village Ski Schools and the acclaimed Niseko Kids™ children’s programmes.

Plans to further improve the facilities at the 617ha Niseko Village include a stylish shopping and lifestyle street opening winter 2014/15, as well as luxury villas to cater to the growing number of sophisticated travellers looking to experience the sheer magnificence of Niseko Village in winter time. Niseko Village is a member of YTL Hotels.

About YTL Hotels
YTL Hotels owns and manages a prestigious collection of award-winning resorts, hotels, boutique experiences and Spa Villages in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, China, Japan, France and the UK, including Pangkor Laut Resort, voted the world’s best resort in 2003.  In July 2012, the company added Gaya Island Resort, a luxurious resort on the exotic tropical island of Borneo to the fold, while December 2012 saw the unveiling of The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur, the second heritage jewel in the group’s Classic Hotel collection.

With each new experience that it unveils, the company strives to embrace and highlight the natural essence of culture, character and tradition of its surroundings. YTL Hotels is the hospitality arm of YTL Corporation Berhad.

Visit www.ytlhotels.com for more information. For high-resolution images, please visit www.ytlhotels.com/mediagallery. For reservations and enquiries, please contact the YTL Travel Centre directly in Malaysia, call +60 3 2783 1000 or emailtravelcentre@ytlhotels.com.my 

 

For media enquiries and images please contact:
GTI Tourism on behalf of YTL Hotels   
Naomi Joyce or Katie Cuttriss
Email: naomi.joyce@gtitoruism.com.au or katie.cuttriss@gtitourism.com.au
Tel: +61 2 9028 3592 or +61 2 9028 3597