Summer in the Niseko Mountains June 29 2009, 9:17pm via discoverniseko.net

Finally the Hokkaido summer is here, lush green mountains and hot weather and the people are out and about enjoying what Niseko has to offer. For me it saw a weekend of exploring the mountains that extend from Niseko Annupuri out to the coast at Iwanai.

Youtei from the peak of Niseko Annupuri with the final bit of snow in the foreground

These mountains have lots to offer in summer from hiking on mountain trails, mountain biking, road cycling and for the daring amongst us even paragliding in the thermals of Niseko Annupuri.

the road from Niseko to Iwanai with patches of snow in late June

a fox on the road between Iwanai and Rankoshi about to eat dinner

Paragliders high above Niseko Annupuri