Ben Thorpe

Background

About Ben Thorpe

Co-Founder and Hokkaido Area Manager at Japan Ski Experience, specialising in ski accommodation across Niseko and Hokkaido. I have lived and worked in Hokkaido’s ski resorts for over 18 years and am responsible for building and managing Japan Ski Experience’s accommodation portfolio in Niseko and surrounding areas. This includes property selection, supplier partnerships, contract negotiation and ongoing quality control to ensure we offer the widest and strongest range of accommodation in the region. My role focuses on inventory development, location strategy and maintaining close working relationships with property owners and management companies. This allows us to give clear, current advice on where guests should stay based on snow conditions, village access, lift proximity and travel patterns. As Japan Ski Experience has evolved, my focus has been on expanding our accommodation platform, improving availability and ensuring that every property we list meets strict standards for comfort, location and value. From luxury ski-in ski-out hotels and chalets to apartments and long-stay options, I work hands-on with suppliers to keep our offering relevant, competitive and reliable. Based permanently in resort, I provide on-the-ground support to both guests and partners throughout the season. My priority is simple: build the best accommodation inventory in Hokkaido and make it easy for guests to access the right property, in the right place, at the right time.