Ki Niseko Concierge Team ready to help you sort out your services! Back row from the left: Stephanie Robinson (UK), James Ramsden (UK), James Rodgers (UK). Front row from the left: Jennifer Choi (HK), Philip Lougher (UK).
With hundreds of applicants all vying for a place with us this winter season, we are fortunate here at Ki Niseko to hand-select the best seasonal staff from around the globe to help ensure that we continue to provide the best possible service and experiences to our many domestic and international guests. We sat down with the members of our Concierge Team and have asked them a few questions about who they are and what brought them here to Niseko.
What had you been doing prior to coming to Ki Niseko?
Stephanie: This is actually my second season at Ki Niseko. I spent my summer working at a beach resort in Okinawa. I also traveled around Japan in between summer and winter; I have been able to explore Kyushu, the Kansai region, Nagoya, the Kiso valley, and Tokyo, but there is so much many places I still want to visit!
James Ramsden: I am a civil engineer and software developer. I am part-way through a postgraduate course and will be returning to the UK to complete my program after the winter season.
James Rodgers: I graduated from the University of Liverpool in Psychology this past summer. Since graduating, I had been working in my hometown of Bedford whilst applying for positions in Niseko for this winter.
Jennifer: Making other people's holiday dreams come true! I was a travel agent before I came here. Living vicariously through my clients just wasn't enough anymore, so I decided to take my own advise and get exploring!
Philip: Prior to coming to Ki Niseko, I was fulfilling a lifelong dream of travelling the world for six months. I visited many different countries, including Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, to name a few.
With all the snow here in Niseko, we need to know: Are you a skier or a snowboarder?
Stephanie: I have been skiing since I was about 3 years old. However, this season, I want to improve my snowboarding. Luckily, the abundance of powder snow here in Niseko makes it a pretty soft landing when you fall over.
James Ramsden: Skier, but I'm looking to give snowboarding a try!
James Rodgers: Skier! I've tried boarding, but I'm not very good.
Jennifer: Snowboarder. Growing up in Canada I started on skis, but I joined the dark side and haven't looked back!
Philip: I am a skier, but my aim this season is to learn how to snowboard, too.
What do you love most about Niseko?
Stephanie: I love the food, so for me the quality of the restaurants here in Niseko is one of the best parts of being here. The sheer number of restaurants as well is quite impressive; you could eat at a different restaurant every week of the season and still not try them all.
James Ramsden: The village atmostphere, the beautiful scenery, and of course the world-famous powder snow!
James Rodgers: So far, the scenery is my favourite thing. I am always taken aback by the views of Mt. Yotei and Ki Niseko. I am sure that once the season starts, my favourite thing might end up being the snow on the mountain. I also am loving the culture and people here.
Jennifer: Waking up to this ever-changing landscape! There was a super-moon a while back, which meant my usual walk home was flooded with moonlight and a jaw-dropping vista of Mt. Yotei. Certainly not something you get to see every day.
Philip: What I love most about Niseko is the night skiing, which means more time deep in powder!
What are you most excited about for this coming winter season?
Stephanie: Trying some of the new restaurants, exploring more of Hokkaido, and hopefully learning how to get down a black run on a snowboard in one piece.
James Ramsden: This is my first ski season, so the idea that you can just go skiing every day is very exciting!
James Rodgers: I'm looking forward to getting up on the mountain and experiencing the snow as well as meeting all of Ki Niseko's guests!
Jennifer: Trying out as many of the excellent food and beverage venues that I recommend to our guests on a daily basis—it's a challenge, but someone has to do it.
Philip: I am most looking forward to experiencing Japan's unique food and culture.
