New Year Celebrations On The Slopes Of Niseko

01 January, 2017 Sofie Lahtinen

Niseko welcomed 2017 with the 41st Torchlight Skiing and fireworks event on the slopes of Grand Hirafu.

new years eve fireworks 2016-17

An impressive array of colour in the sky as Niseko celebrating the start of 2017.

Holiday makers and locals in Niseko have celebrated the New Year with a bang with a spectacular show on the slopes of Grand Hirafu last night.

Many people were out and about to enjoy the festivities with the evening kicking off at midnight with the 41st Torchlight Skiing down the slopes of the mountain. Each year, around 200 riders join in the annual New Year’s event, making it the biggest torchlight skiing event in Japan. Check out our video below to see the action!

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Torchlight boarder preparing to celebrate the New Year, Niseko style.

Following the torchlight skiing was a dazzling fireworks show that had the crowd in awe. Check out the video below featuring some of the special moments we captured during the celebrations.

We wish every one of our readers a very Happy New Year – here's to an incredible 2017!

New Year's Eve In Niseko 2016/17 from Experience Niseko on Vimeo.

Sofie Lahtinen
Sofie Lahtinen

Australian-born and Euro-blooded, Sofie has been living in Niseko since 2016. When she's not behind a desk, she gets her kicks from yoga, cycling, Mother Nature, and as a self-confessed 'speed-demon', riding anything with wheels or a motor is top of the list. Sofie's perfect day ends by getting red-faced in an onsen, then polishing off a bowl of Hokkaido's famous soup curry (yes, it's a thing!).