Looking For An Affordable Place To Stay This Winter? Here Are Some Ideas!

Here is one common rule in ski resorts throughout the world: "The closer to the slopes, the more expensive the rooms are". This rule does exist here in Niseko too (in some ways) and needless to say staying near the slopes is awesome!

Niseko does have a lot of high-end accommodation options, but there's a good number of budget accommodation options and even backpacker lodges as well!

Here are some newer properties that aren't ski-in/out, but will save you some of your hard-earned yen.

Opened in winter 2016, My Ecolodge is located next to the delicious Ichimura Soba restaurant, Guzu Guzu bakery, and across from Italian restaurant L'Ocanda. Guests have the choice to either spend their stay in single or shared rooms. For a larger group, My Ecolodge also provides dormitory style rooms.

You don't need to worry about too much about the walk either. There are Grand-Hirafu and Hanazono shuttle stops close by to take you to the resorts!

Niseko repeaters may remember a small cafe a couple of seasons ago called "Mozart" that was located at the very end of the Izumikyo area. This cafe has now transformed into Bliss Lodging.

From twin studio rooms to the "Annex" that sleeps up to 8 guests, it has various accommodation options for you to choose from.

There's no need to wait out in the cold for a bus with the Grand-Hirafu Shuttle and Hanazono shuttle bus stop in front of the building. Stay inside in front of the warm fireplace and when you see the bus arriving at the bus stop, just get all your gear and jump out the door!

One of the newest hotels for this winter, Always Niseko is just about at a walkable distance from the main Hirafu Intersection - in the winter season you'd be looking at about 10-15 minutes hike through the snow to get to the Family Pair lift. For those snowboard lovers, it may be easier to describe it's location as "across the street from the Gentemstick showroom."

Twin rooms make up most of the 104 rooms in the hotel. The cafe and bar on the 1st floor will be offering some takeaway menu options you can grab on your way to the ski lifts. The hotel is planning to have a time scheduled shuttle bus to the Grand Hirafu lifts for extra convenience.

Hakuunso is an iconic Japanese style inn, only a few minutes walk from the Hirafu Gondola and has recently completed a renovation. It has a great location right in the middle of Gondola-zaka, near to Landmark View Hotel. You can walk across the street to grab some great coffee and pastries at An Deli and walk down the hill to Lawson whenever you need to grab a snack or essentials.