Ramat Niseko - Hostel

A dated lodge filled with stuff, and almost entirely run by Australians, who are friendly as usual. Breakfast is decent, with great views out over the snow toward the soaring Mt Yotei. Everything is set up for skiing, with dedicated heating rooms for gear, and an early free shuttle, on top of the standard free all-day shuttles. The international community here is friendly, although there's very little that's Japanese about the lodge, with most visitors coming from Australia. Free shuttle to and from the bus station was a great help.

Distance is a little far from the slopes - outside of the early free shuttle, you're often standing in the cold waiting for a shuttle van to pass the closest stop. It feels a bit like an old people's home in some ways - lots of stuff hanging all over the walls, things lying around, dated decor.