Niseko Rental info

I've often asked about rentals. There are many rental shops in Niseko, some are combined with ski lessons, some are resonable but Japanese speaking only, or so on.

I've heard some bad experience about renting skies in Niseko, and I've seen some rental shops in Niseko providing straight skies which are older than 15years. So, I'll let you know some information about ski rentals.

I usually recommend rentals at ski resort, such as Hirafu rentals because they are reasonable and not so bad, if you choose higher grade.

Hirafu rentals
http://www.grand-hirafu.jp/en/mountain/rental.html

And I recommend this shop for this 08season. A while ago, I happened to meet a friend of mine in Niseko. He is a very good tuned-up technician. He went Whistler last year, so I thought he was still in Whistler.

What he told me was that he works at "SKi Link" this season, "Ski Link" is the rental shop at Hotel J-first in Niseko. They don't have any English website for rentals. But, they are providing the most reasonable price in Niseko area.

I've had a look what kind of skies they have. Skies are good enough. Regular skies are bit old, but good enough if you're beginners. Especially, what good thing about them is that you can rent "high-grade ski" from them at same price or even cheaper than "regular ski" at other shops.

Prices are, for example;
(You can rent other than set skies, skies only boots only, or ski jacket etc. Need ask them)

Regular ski set
4hours-2000yen
1day-3000yen
2day-5000yen
3day-7000yen
additional day- +1000yen

High-grade ski set
4hours-3000yen
1day-5000yen
2day-7000yen
3day-9000yen
additional day-+1000yen

I'm not sure about their rental policy, such as cancellation or exchanging etc. so you need to confirm them. But, if you interested in, contact to Hotel and ask Yoshi at renral shop"Ski Link", it's probably better to tell Yoshi that you've heard from Toshi at NGSA(Niseko Global Ski Academy) when you ask. Yoshi is the friend of mine and he is the only person who speak English.

Hotel J-first website
http://www.j-first.com/jfs-e/

Hope to have Happy skiing in Niseko!!