At the World Ski Awards in November Niseko United, the hotel collaborative comprising of The Green Leaf Niseko Village, Niseko Annupuri, Niseko Village Hanazono and Grand Hirafu, won the award for Best Ski Resort in Japan.

Recently re-opened after a refurb by award-winning New York based Champalimaud Design is The Green Leaf Niseko Village, a ski-in, ski-out plush mountain resort at the base of Mount An'nupuri.

As well as skiing and snowboarding on the surrounding slopes, guests can unwind in the hotel's natural onsen or at the spa. The lobby lounge Tomioka White features a cozy fireplace and bar, while Goshiko has international and Japanese cuisine using local seafood and seasonal Hokkaido produce. Open for the ski season from December 1 to March 30 2014, room rates start at JPY20,000 ($243) per room.

With the winter sports season upon us, the urge returns to escape to the snowy slopes of the land of the rising sun, and Niseko in Japan's northern island Hokkaido is one of the prime regions to head to.