Sapporo is one of the best areas in Japan to enjoy skiing. It is the capital city of Hokkaido. Here you can choose the ski resort that appeals to you the most.
Almost everyday in the season, fresh powder coats the slopes, making skiing and snowboarding easy and pleasant for every skill level and age.
The area hosted the 1972 Winter Olympic Games for good reason and the snow in Sapporo is some of the best in the world. Even if your children are too young to start skiing or snowboarding, every resort in the Sapporo area offers fun snow tubing and sledding areas that are perfect for every age.
One of the many wonderful things about the Sapporo ski area is how easy it is to get to any of the many ski resorts. It’s no more than a 20-minute drive to any of them, making the area ideal for those looking to enjoy a day trip on the slopes before heading out on new adventures.
If you are looking for a hotel with hot spring bath in Sapporo, then Dormy Inn Sapporo Annex is a perfect choice!
Here’s an overview of some of the best ski resorts in Sapporo:
1) Sapporo Bankei Ski Area
Whether you’re an expert or a beginner, Sapporo Bankei Ski Area offers something for everyone. The location makes it very popular and accessible; it can be found 20 minutes from Sapporo’s heart.
You can rent all your equipment very easily. There are many slope and trails to choose from and the largest half-pipe in the world.
There’s also the Snow Park, a mini amusement area, as well as babysitting services for those parents who’d like to enjoy some alone time. There English-language ski and snowboard lessons.
So if you are interested in taking a ski or snowboard lesson, give it a try. You can even find gourmet food here! Those not just satisfied with daytime skiing can also head to the ski slopes at night.
To reach the ski resort, you will have to take the subway from Odori Park Station to Maryuyama Park Station on the Subway Tozai Line. From there get to Maruyama Bus Terminal and get on the Bankei Bus. The bus ride is about 13 minutes.
2) Sapporo Teine
40 minutes from downtown Sapporo, you can enjoy a unique set of ski runs and experiences at Sapporo Teine. There is a 6-kilometer long beginners course, the Woman’s Giant Slalom, Men and Women’s Slalom, and also the steep KITAKABE, a wild course that cannot be accessed by grooming machines.
There’s also the dynamic “Terrain Park” for those who want to catch big air. For children, they can enjoy the area’s kids’ park and snow attractions.
The resort provides a great selection of ski items to rent for both beginners and professional. Before you head to this easily accessible ski resort from the center of Sapporo city, I highly recommend you to check the ski lift price as it varies throughout the ski season.
The nearest JR train station to Sapporo Teine is Teine Station. From JR Sapporo station to Teine station, it takes 10-16 minutes by train. Visitors need to get on a bus to the ski resort from Teine station, approximately 16 minutes.
3) Fu’s Snow Area
Fu’s Snow Area Ski Resort in Sapporo is a reliable choice for good snow. This sports facility is found in the Fujino District. It covers 330,000 square meters and has six ski runs. There are family, expert, and mogul courses available.
The big attraction here is the luge stadium that was built as the practice course for the 1972 Sapporo Olympics. In January and February, you can attend luge classes here.
Those of you thinking of soaking your body in a hot spring after skiing on the terrain should consider this ski resort. From the resort, Jozankei hot springs town is not that much far way, which can be easily accessed by bus or car.
4) Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort
Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort is another ski area that is located not far from Jozankei onsen. With seven different runs, this resort has a very long season, beginning in November and ending in early May.
Experts can enjoy a challenge and beginners can try out some excellent beginner trails. Those out to play in the snow can enjoy special sledding and snow tubing areas.
There is also a snowboard park for those who like to do tricks as well as a mogul course. After a long day on the slopes, be sure to try out the nearby Jozankei Hot Springs to relax those tired muscles.
5) Takino Suzuran Hillside Park Snow World
Around Christmas every year, this government park turns into a ski area. Entry is free. The rest facility provides coin lockers and a place to rest and get some snacks.
There are plenty of options for beginner, intermediate, and expert ski levels alike. You can rent your equipment here, including cross-country skis. There’s also a snow-tubing area with free-to-rent tubes, as is the rope-pull that carries tube sup the slope.
This is a great ski area for those looking for a fun day or even just afternoon in the snow for the whole family.
It’s also relatively uncrowded (professional skiers) compared to other ski areas in Sapporo and a top family-friendly ski resort in the city. Cross-country skiing here is very popular for tourists.
6) Sapporo Mt. Moiwa-yama Ski Resort
This the ski resort that sits closest to the center of Sapporo. It offers a view of the entire city from the top of its ski runs. There are four ski lifts and ten different courses at a variety of skill levels.
Note that snowboarding is not allowed here. At night, you can enjoy a view of Sapporo’s city lights as you ski, as the resort is open until 9:00 PM.
The resort is not large, but it is very popular due to its close proximity to Sapporo and its skiing-only policy, which is very uncommon among Sapporo-area ski resorts.
If night skiing is what you want to experience in Sapporo, then visit this wonderful ski resort and make your trip a great adventure!
If you are planning to ski outside Sapporo this winter, you may find this list useful that shares some of the best ski resorts in Hokkaido.
