The Niseko Adventure Centre (NAC) is the hub for all year round adventure activities in the rapidly expanding Niseko region in Hokkaido. NAC officially opened its store in 1998 in Hirafu East Village, which is best known as one of the worlds best ski resorts and also offers a great range of summer activities. The first level is home to the outdoor store which includes apparel, a booking office, a photo service, and a 10 meter indoor rock climbing wall, whilst the second level is home to the Jo-Jo's Cafe which offers spectacular views of Mt. Yotei from its terrace.
Having spent the previous two winters in Hirafu, I was only aware of what NAC offered during the winter. NAC offers a huge range of guided tours throughout winter including expert guided back-country tours, snow shoe tours, ski and snowboard lessons and private tours. During the winter season, the shop is stocked with a large range of ski and snowboard accessories, local mountain terrain maps, mountain safety equipment, and a huge range of locally made one-of-a-kind fashion accessories, the most popular being the unique hand knitted beanies. The very knowledgeable staff are extremely familiar with the local area and can give you guidance on what equipment is required and provide advice on how you can safely enjoy the famous Niseko powder snow.
I recently visited the NAC store during the summertime and was impressed to see a huge range of summer activities on offer. During the summertime, NAC specializes in guided tours including local rafting, kayaking, canyoning, trekking, cycling and mountain biking. The summer outdoor store stocks specialty trekking equipment and clothing, as well as a huge range of locally made one of a kind fashion accessories that have become so popular during winter. The local staff are a great source of information on the local area and can advise on what tours may best suit your budget and interests. Each of the tours on offer cater for most skill levels but if you are unsure on your suitability for a specific tour, don't hesitate to consult with the friendly NAC staff.
If you would like to inquire or book a tour, you can do so via the NAC website, alternatively I recommend visiting the shop and consulting with the friendly staff on the best options during your stay in the area. Prices for each tour range by the hour, morning, afternoon and full day options with add-on extras available for most tours. NAC can be accessed off State Hwy 343 which is approximately a two hours drive from Sapporo.
