Alphaod,

I live in Shanghai and have made the trip there two years in a row and I'm going again this year.

The last two years I have taken China eastern and they are your best bet as it is the only direct flight and their baggage policy allows for skis of any length. The challenge with many of the other connecting carriers is that they still list out a length limit (usually like 158cm) which is extremely short for skis (mine are 185). Though being limited to Eastern means that you are stuck with their price which is usually around $500 rt though I have caught it at $350.

Arriving in Sapporo (new chitose airport) the easiest way to niseko is by bus. Google whiteliner niseko and you'll find the whiteliner website. This is what I have taken the last two years and have been pleased. It leaves from the domestic terminal and takes 3 hours of really scenic roads to get there for the MU flight I would allow at least an hour and a half to gather your bags, customs, walk between terminals (not really far) and locate the bus desk. Even that time was a bit right for me last year.

For accommodation I have tried the green leaf niseko, the hilton, and the black diamond lodge.

Black diamond lodge is a hostel like ski lodge which is a great value and atmosphere with basic accommodations provided. Green leaf and hilton are both in the higher end of Niseko accommodations but offer reasonable prices (under $200) for some dates. I just booked the green leaf for a week in early feb at $172 a night.