Sapporo Ski 2025: Ultimate Guide to Hokkaido’s Top Resorts, Events & Travel Tips
Sapporo is the central city of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost prefecture. It's one of the most popular destinations for Japanese tourism, attracting many visitors with its rich nature and gourmet cuisine. When you come to visit Sapporo, you should definitely enjoy winter sports.
In Hokkaido, the coldest region in Japan, skiing and snowboarding are extremely popular, and many people visit for these activities. This time, we'll introduce ski spots where you can enjoy skiing around Sapporo, along with their respective attractions - making your Sapporo Ski 2025 experience truly unforgettable.
3 Points to Check When Choosing a Ski Resort
Is it easily accessible from your tourism base?
First, what's important is good accessibility from your tourism base. Hokkaido is a massive prefecture with approximately 77,000 km² for the main island alone, roughly the same size as Austria. Depending on the location, there are distances within Hokkaido that require airplane travel.
Therefore, the secret to a successful Hokkaido trip is to pay attention to the location and accessibility within Hokkaido, rather than thinking of it all as the same Hokkaido.
Do the snow quality and course characteristics suit you
Also, snow quality and course characteristics are important points when choosing a ski resort. As introduced earlier, Hokkaido boasts a very large area, so the climate varies slightly depending on location. Please try to find snow that matches your preferences. This article also introduces the snow characteristics of each ski resort.
Furthermore, course characteristics are also important. Course levels are particularly necessary indicators for beginner and intermediate skiers to enjoy safely. Even for advanced skiers, course selection is essential to have the most exciting experience for themselves.
Are there any good deals like tour packages or set rates?
Also, looking for good deals is a tip for smart travel. Various advantageous plans are offered during winter sports season. For example, plans that combine ski resort tickets with other tourist attraction tickets, plans that include lift tickets for two or more days, and plans that combine ski resorts with transportation and accommodation costs.
In addition, many advantageous plans that let you fully enjoy winter Hokkaido are offered every year. Use these good deals to enjoy Hokkaido and skiing 120%, and create memorable trips.
If You're Going to Ski in Hokkaido, First Consider the 5 Major Ski Resorts
Hokkaido, located at Japan's northernmost point, has low temperatures and abundant snow, making winter sports popular. Among these, skiing and snowboarding enjoy high popularity, and there are many ski resorts within the prefecture. First, let's introduce five ski resorts that boast top-level popularity in Hokkaido - perfect destinations for your Sapporo Ski 2025 adventure.
Niseko Annupuri International Ski Area
Course Characteristics
Thirteen courses are available from beginner to advanced levels, so people of any skill level can enjoy themselves. Not only are beginner-friendly courses particularly well-developed, but the courses are also wide, so even first-time visitors can ski safely. It's also famous for its excellent snow quality, and being able to ski through high-quality, soft powder snow is one of its attractive features.
Access
About 10 minutes by local bus or taxi from JR Niseko Station. This is an area with abundant nature and plenty of activities. There are many hot springs in the surrounding area, and soaking in warm hot springs with your tired body after skiing is the best. Also, having a hotel (Niseko Northern Resort, An'Nupuri) within walking distance is another attractive point.
Detailed Information
- Address: 485 Niseko, Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido
- Operating Hours: Varies by season and course, please check the official website (Regular season courses with night skiing: 8:30-19:30)
- Closed Days: Basically open every day during the season
- Phone Number: 0136-58-2080
- Official Website: https://annupuri.info/
Niseko has four ski resorts, so choosing Niseko is recommended for those who want to enjoy thoroughly
Niseko has four ski resorts including Niseko Annupuri International Ski Area, collectively called "NISEKO UNITED."
- Niseko Hanazono Resort
⇒ Among Niseko resorts, this one has particularly good snow quality, with powder snow swirling up.
- Niseko Tokyu Grand HIRAFU
⇒ The largest scale in NISEKO UNITED, boasting a 940m elevation difference.
- Niseko Village Ski Resort
⇒ Popular for courses where you can ski between virgin forests.
Rusutsu Resort
Source:Official website
Course Features
This location boasts Japan's largest single resort area, offering 3 peaks and 37 courses to enjoy. The total skiing distance extends to 42km, so long that you couldn't ski everything even in a 4-night, 5-day stay, keeping you excited with new courses until the very end.
The snow quality in this area is dry, and since snow is carried by the wind, when conditions are good, you can enjoy powder snow even on clear days.
Access
Since this ski resort is located within the resort facilities, you can also enjoy entertainment such as dining, hot springs, and illuminations in the evening. Although it takes about 2 hours, there is a free direct bus service to Sapporo, making it perfect for your Sapporo Ski 2025 adventure.
Detailed Information
- Address: 13 Izumikawa, Rusutsu Village, Abuta District, Hokkaido
- Operating Hours: Hours vary by season, please check the official website (Basic hours: 9:00~20:00)
- Closed Days: Basically open throughout the season
- Phone Number: 0136-46-3111 (General Reservation Center)
- Official Website: https://rusutsu.com/
Kiroro Resort
Source:Official website
Course Features
The attractive point here is that you can enjoy high-quality powder snow every day due to low temperatures and nightly snowfall. Additionally, 23 courses are spread across 2 mountains.
There are ski and snowboard courses suitable for children from age 3, making it recommended for families visiting a ski resort for the first time. Moreover, the tree run area allows you to enjoy exploring the snowy mountains while experiencing Hokkaido's rich nature, making it recommended for advanced skiers as well.
Access
You can reach Otaru by taxi in about 40 minutes, and during the season, buses operate to Sapporo, Niseko, and Otaru - ideal for those planning their Sapporo Ski 2025 itinerary. There are also 2 resort facilities on the premises, divided into family-oriented and 12+ age-restricted accommodations, which is another attractive feature for a comfortable stay.
Detailed Information
- Address: 128-1 Tokiwa, Akaigawa Village, Yoichi District, Hokkaido, Kiroro Resort
- Operating Hours: Hours vary by area and season, please check the official website (High season guideline: 9:00~19:00)
- Closed Days: Basically open throughout the season
- Phone Number: 0088-21-7008
- Official Website: https://www.kiroro.co.jp/
Furano Ski Resort
Course Features
This is a very skiable resort where you can enjoy both inland dry powder and very high-quality grooming. Additionally, with many moguls and branches, it's a fun place to ski.
Furthermore, the longest skiing distance is 4km, making it highly recommended for those who want to enjoy long cruising. Being able to go up to the summit at once by ropeway is also a pleasant feature.
Access
It takes about 10 minutes by car to downtown Furano. Since there are several other ski resorts nearby, this location is recommended for those who want to tour various ski resorts using downtown Furano as their base.
Detailed Information
- Address: Nakagoryou, Furano City, Hokkaido
- Operating Hours: Hours vary by season, please check the official website (Guideline: 8:30~18:00)
- Closed Days: Basically open throughout the season
- Phone Number: 0167-22-1111
- Official Website: https://www.snowfurano.com/ski-resort/
Mount Racey Ski Area
Source:Yubari City
Course Features
Here, 17 courses are prepared for everyone from beginners to advanced skiers to enjoy. Particularly recommended for advanced skiers. There are courses with sharp curves between trees, steep slopes, and even super-advanced courses boasting a maximum slope of 43 degrees. Advanced skiers who want thrilling runs should definitely visit here.
The high-quality powder snow and snowy scenery are also one of the attractive points.
Access
Located in Yubari, it's a bit far from other major cities like Sapporo, but it's accessible by a single bus from Shin-Yubari Station, and you can tour Yubari city's tourist spots on the same bus - a great addition to your Sapporo Ski 2025 trip. There's a hotel directly connected to the ski resort where you can enjoy hot springs, which is also a pleasant feature.
Detailed Information
- Address: 2-4 Suehiro, Yubari City, Hokkaido
- Operating Hours: 9:00~16:00
- Closed Days: Basically open throughout the season
- Phone Number: 0123-57-7766
- Official Website: https://yubari-resort.co.jp/
When Visiting Sapporo, the "Gourmet City," Enjoy Exquisite Food with Local Guidance
The Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour is a 3-hour night tour that visits 3 izakaya (Japanese-style bars) in Susukino, Sapporo's premier entertainment district.
On this tour, you can enjoy Sapporo's abundant flavors including seafood, meat, sake, and beer. This tour visits shops popular with tourists, giving you a glimpse into local life. The destinations for the 2nd and 3rd stops are not predetermined, and the guide will recommend shops that match our preferences, which is another attractive feature.
This culinary experience perfectly complements your Sapporo Ski 2025 winter adventure.
Tour Details
- Meeting point: Under the giant NIKKA Sign outside of Susukino station
- Tour Area: Sapporo
- Start Time: 18:00
5 Excellent Access Ski Resorts Very Close to Sapporo City
Here we introduce 5 ski resorts you'll want to visit in combination with Sapporo sightseeing. For those using Sapporo as their base for tourism, these are highly recommended options for your Sapporo Ski 2025 winter adventure.
Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort
Course Characteristics
This massive ski area offers 7 courses with a maximum skiing distance of 3.6km. This ski resort is recommended for those who want to improve their skiing skills. With beginner-friendly forest courses, long-distance runs, and parks where you can challenge yourself with various features, you can safely build your experience.
Despite being a natural snow ski resort, it opens earlier than anywhere else in Japan and you can ski until around May, making it perfect for your Sapporo Ski 2025 season plans.
Access
Located about 60 minutes by car from central Sapporo, with bus services available. Not only does the ski resort offer excellent access to various locations, but it also features authentic pizza restaurants and a mountaintop cafe where you can enjoy Sapporo gourmet cuisine on-site. Day trip plans are also available from Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya.
Detailed Information
- Address: 937 Jozankei, Minami-ku, Sapporo
- Operating hours: Varies by season, please check the official website (approximately 9:00-16:00)
- Closed days: Basically open throughout the season
- Phone: 011-598-4511
- Official website: Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort
Moiwayama Ski Area
Source:Sapporo Tourist Association
Course Characteristics
The most attractive point of this ski resort is the scenery. There's a "Tourist Highway Course" where you can ski while looking down at the city of Sapporo. This course is beginner-friendly, so anyone can enjoy the Sapporo scenery. At night, the beautiful Sapporo night view spreads across your entire field of vision, which is one of the popular factors of this ski resort and a highlight for your Sapporo Ski 2025 experience.
This is also where many local children make their skiing debut, making it one of the ski resorts where beginners can come with confidence.
Access
About 30 minutes by car from Sapporo Station. It's also close to the airport, so many people take one last run before heading home.
Detailed Information
- Address: 1991 Moiwashita, Minami-ku, Sapporo
- Operating hours: Varies by season, please check the official website (approximately 9:00-21:00)
- Closed days: Basically open throughout the season
- Phone: 050-3662-8715
- Official website: https://sapporo-moiwa.jp/
Sapporo Teine (Olympia Ski Center)
Source:Official website
Course Characteristics
Developed as a venue for the Sapporo Olympics, the attractive point of this ski resort is that you can experience the slopes where Olympians once skied - a must-visit for any Sapporo Ski 2025 enthusiast.
This ski resort is packed with various attractions where you can enjoy Sapporo scenery, night views, and powder snow. Furthermore, there's the "Kitakabe" (North Wall), one of Japan's most difficult courses. The Kitakabe course offers thrilling skiing with a maximum slope of 36 degrees, average slope of 20 degrees, steep gradients with standing trees and moguls.
Access
About 40 minutes by car from central Sapporo. There are many restaurants nearby and on the way to Sapporo, so you can enjoy Sapporo gourmet cuisine after skiing.
Detailed Information
- Address: 593 Teinehoncho, Teine-ku, Sapporo
- Operating hours: Varies by area and season, please check the official website (approximately 9:00-21:00)
- Closed days: Basically open throughout the season
- Phone: 011-682-6000
- Official website: SAPPORO TEINE
Bankei Ski Area
Source:Wikipedia
Course Characteristics
17 courses are provided for enjoyment from beginners to advanced skiers. The gentle slopes at the base make this especially recommended for beginners and families planning their Sapporo Ski 2025 trip.
There's also a "Welcome team" of English-speaking staff, which is another point that makes this ski resort enjoyable and safe for beginner international tourists.
Access
About 20 minutes by car from central Sapporo, and about 10 minutes from Maruyama Park. This ski resort is also recommended for those who want to enjoy winter sports for just half a day and spend the rest sightseeing in Sapporo.
Detailed Information
- Address: 410 Bankei, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Operating hours: Varies by area and season, please check the official website (approximately 9:00-21:00)
- Closed days: Basically open throughout the season
- Phone: 011-641-0071
- Official website: https://www.bankei.co.jp/home-english/
Takino Snow World Family Ski Resort
Source:Sapporo Tourist Association
Course Characteristics
This is also a ski resort recommended for families and beginners. With an average slope of about 7 degrees, you can play with peace of mind during your Sapporo Ski 2025 adventure.
Furthermore, there are areas where children can freely enjoy snow play and sledding, as well as one of Japan's largest sledding slopes. If you're lucky, you might also see small animal footprints left in the snow. The attractive point of this ski resort is that both skiers and non-skiers can enjoy themselves.
Access
About 40 minutes by car from central Sapporo. This slope is located within Takino Park, where you can also enjoy other activities within the park.
Detailed Information
- Address: 247 Takino, Minami-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Operating hours: 9:00-16:00
- Closed days: Basically open throughout the season
- Phone: 011-592-3333
- Official website: https://snowsapporo.com/en/skiarea/takino/