Skiing without the crowds? Go to Japan
When trying to imagine what it would be like to ski in Japan, I pictured a minimalist ski resort. I saw chic local skiers in monochrome outfits elegantly swishing down the slopes, before stopping for sushi and ramen. I assumed revellers would drink whisky, sake and beer in the evenings, although perhaps not to quite the same level of excess as in Europe. Skiing in Japan seemed exotic. Did I know the Japanese ski uphill, joked one wag before I left. Skiers can come straight off the mountain to find a restaurant for a bowl of spicy udon ramen To reach Niseko Village, the most famous ski resort in Japan,