Niseko Village, beloved for its powder-fine blanket of snow and the variety of outdoor sports and exploration on offer, provides the perfect playground for an active family holiday.

THE STRUCTURED CLASSES ARE A GREAT WAY TO IMPROVE WINTER-SPORT SKILLS, BUT AN IMPROMPTU SNOWBALL FIGHT CAN BE JUST AS ENJOYABLE.

Two kids with rosy cheeks sled down a gentle slope on Mount Niseko Annupuri while their grandparents look on from Village Patisserie, sipping warm tea and nibbling on croissants. Niseko Village has a bevy of amazing activities to keep everyone in the family entertained.

Parents who want to start their day carving fresh tracks in untouched snow don’t have to worry about finding a babysitter; they can drop their children at Niseko Kids Snow School. At this cheerful play centre the younger kids (one- to six-year-olds) can sing and paint under the supervision of childcare experts, while the older kids (three- to six-year-olds) can take to the slopes with Niseko Mini Kids Ski/Snowboarding Lessons. Patient instructors help the little ones develop their love of the sport in either a one-on-one or small-group setting. There is a conveyor belt called a ‘magic carpet’ that transports kids up a miniature bunny run, making it easy for them to try the same smooth patch of the mountain over and over again until they are confident enough to move on to a chairlift.

Families with children aged six and up can take private ski lessons together and tackle the piste as a team. The structured classes are a great way to improve winter-sport skills, but an impromptu snowball fight can be just as enjoyable. To see another side of the Niseko landscape, bundle the kids up in hats and mittens and hop aboard a sled for a reindeer ride across the snow banks, try a snowshoe adventure through the woods or speed across the landscape on a snow raft. The snow is so fine and soft that falling into it is a delight.

After a long day on the slopes, relax in comfort. Book one of the Kasara Niseko Village Townhouses and you’ll have plenty of room for the whole family under one (very stylish) roof. The luxury two-storey, three-room homes, are superlative examples of understated Japanese elegance. Gather your loved ones to enjoy a delicious meal at the long banquet table in the dining room, prepared by a personal chef. There’s nothing like the magic of a well-spent winter day to give your family a warm sense of togetherness.