My fifth visit to Niseko over the last 17 years. Its changed a lot but not for the better. There is now practically no Japanese experience to be had here. Its overcrowded with all infrastructure lifts/resort restaurants/mountain restaurants/buses/trains packed to the max (the only time I didn't stand on public transport in 2 weeks was on the train from Sapporo to the airport). You will probably get some great snow during your visit but be prepared to queue for it in all aspects of your holiday lifts/eating/getting around and theres a good chance most of the good stuff will be tracked out by lunch (or earlier). It may be me but it seems that they have made it harder to get to other resorts close by, Rusutsu/Moiwa used to be easy public/free transport now it's taxi and a bus or 2 buses. A car is becoming more essential in Niseko just from making getting around less painful. Although it will be chaos if that eventuates, pretty sure parking is not on anyone's list! The old Niseko is gone and the current one is losing its appeal (other than the snow of course)!