HIGASHIYAMA NISEKO VILLAGE, A RITZCARLTON RESERVE

There are 70 runs and more than 2,000 acres of skiable terraintotal,includinganextensivebackcountrynetwork, across the four linked ski areas in Niseko, Japan. It’s not unusualtoseeafootofextrasnowperdayhere,too—deep, light and powdery. No wonder this mountainous area of thenorthernislandofHokkaidohasemergedasamust-try for any ski obsessive or has lured Ritz-Carlton to debut just the fifth in its ultra-luxury Reserve properties nearby.

The entire 50-key hotel is predicated on the Japanese concept of kachou fuugetsu, or discovering yourself through nature. The ski-in, ski-out resort sits at the base ofMountNisekoAnnupuri,surroundedbytheextraordinary countryside. The hotel has its own staff of mountain and nature reservists on tap to help guests explore as they wish, whether finding the best fresh powder or going offpiste to roam the backcountry. The lure in green season goesbeyondhikingandadventures,withaccesstotwogolf coursesinthecomplex,includingonedesignedbyArnold Palmer. Whatever the time of year, make sure not to leave thisareawithoutorderingsomemisoramennoodles—this is the region where they originated. Doubles from around $870 per night