2025/11/17 | 229 views

Recommended Ski Resorts in the Sapporo & Hokkaido Ski Resort GuideIf you’re planning a winter trip to Hokkaido and looking for a place to ski near Sapporo, you’ll have more options than you’d expect. Within a one- to two-hour radius of the city, you’ll find several ski resorts renowned for Japan’s powder snow. They range from compact local slopes to large, international ski resorts. This staff blog has created a simple, English-language Sapporo Ski Resort Guide for travelers who want to enjoy the slopes during the day while staying in the city (Susukino, Odori, Sapporo Station). Sapporo Teine – Olympic History and Easy AccessSapporo Teine is one of the closest full-scale ski resorts to central Sapporo, located about a 40-minute drive from the city center. Kamori Kanko Co., Ltd. +1Located on Mount Teine, it was used as a venue for the 1972 Winter Olympics. Teine currently offers the following services: 15 courses for beginners to advanced skiers A well-balanced combination of wide, groomed slopes and steep runs On clear days, you can enjoy stunning city views For many travelers, the answer to the question, “Where can I ski near Sapporo?” is Teine Ski Resort. You can leave in the morning, ski all day, and return to Susukino or Odori by dinnertime. Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort – Powder Snow Close to the CitySapporo Kokusai Ski Resort, located about 60 minutes by bus or car from central Sapporo, is known for its deep, consistent powder snow and long season, which runs from November to May. Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort +1Despite its relative proximity to the city, Kokusai Ski Resort boasts abundant snowfall and long runs for intermediate and advanced skiers. For travelers looking to experience Japan’s “JAPOW” without traveling far to a resort hotel, a day trip to Kokusai Ski Resort from Sapporo is a very practical option. 3.Kiroro – Powder Snow, About an Hour from SapporoKiroro Ski Resort is another popular option. It’s about a 60-minute drive from Sapporo (approximately 55-60km depending on the route).Kiroro Features: Frequent fresh snowfall and excellent powder snow. State-of-the-art lifts and gondolas Compared to more well-known resorts, the season is longer and the slopes are relatively uncrowded. Search “Kiroro Ski Resort from Sapporo” or “Kiroro day trip from Sapporo” to find options such as shuttle buses, transfer services, and rental cars. It’s easy to combine city nightlife with deep mountain snow. Rusutsu Resort – 90-120 minutes to the big mountainsThough a little farther away, Rusutsu Resort is a practical option for day trips and overnight stays. The drive from Sapporo is about 90 minutes, or 1.5-2 hours by bus, depending on the route and conditions. Rusutsu ResortRusutsu is one of Hokkaido’s largest ski resorts, offering the following unique features: It connects three mountains: the West Ski Resort, the East Ski Resort, and Mount Isola. Long tree runs and groomed snow courses On-site hotels, restaurants, and winter activities are available. For many skiers, Rusutsu offers a good balance of convenience and scale. Its appeal lies in its larger size than Sapporo’s city resorts and its proximity to Niseko. Niseko United – An International Powder Snow ResortIf you have time, consider visiting Niseko United, arguably Japan’s most famous ski resort. Niseko consists of four resorts on the slopes of Mount Annupuri: Grand Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village, and Annupuri. Niseko is known worldwide for: Approximately 15 meters of light, dry snow each season Long winters from late November to April English-speaking services, ski schools, and restaurants It typically takes 2-3 hours to get from Sapporo to Niseko by direct bus, private car, or train and bus combination. Many tourists split their trips between Niseko for its ski-in/ski-out convenience and Sapporo for its dining, events, and shopping. English-speaking services, ski schools, and restaurants It typically takes 2-3 hours to get from Sapporo to Niseko by direct bus, private car, or train and bus combination. Many tourists split their trip between a few nights in Niseko for the convenience of ski-in/ski-out and a few nights in Sapporo for dining, events, and shopping. The best decision is to stay at a hotel in Sapporo city and take one or two day ski trips, or stay in Niseko or Rusutsu and spend one final day in Susukino, and then book THC Sapporo. If you’re planning your first ski trip to Sapporo, first decide on a base area in the city, and then choose one or two resorts that fit your schedule. Once you’ve made your reservations, don’t forget to contact THC Sapporo to confirm your reservation. With the right combination, you can create a Hokkaido trip that combines the world’s best powder snow with city convenience.

2025/11/16 | 1134 views

Winter in Sapporo isn’t just about snow and ramen. It’s also a long festival season. Many guests ask, “What’s happening in the city during my stay?” The THC Sapporo team has compiled a simple guide to this year’s major winter events and how to enjoy them smoothly with outcall bookings. Sapporo White Illumination – The City of LightSapporo’s winter kicks off with the illuminations. Starting November 21, 2025, Odori Park, the area around Sapporo Station, Minami 1-jo Square, and Kita 3-jo Square will be illuminated with lights, with select areas continuing until March 14, 2026. Welcome to Sapporo +1Couples take photos, families stroll with hot drinks in hand, and soft music plays in the background, creating a romantic atmosphere rather than a lively one. The optimal flow for our guests is as follows: Take a stroll among the illuminations in the early evening. Dinner and drinks around Odori or Susukino. Then, return to your room for a warm, private evening, reserved in advance. Due to the busy streets around closing time, we recommend choosing a time slot (e.g., 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM) rather than a set time. Sapporo’s Munich Christmas Market – A European Mood in the SnowFrom November 21 to December 25, 2025, the Munich Christmas Market will be held in Odori Park 2-Chome. Enjoy German-style food stalls, mulled wine, decorations, live performances, and more. Welcome to Sapporo +1.This is one of Sapporo’s most cozy winter spots. Warm your hands with mulled wine, pick up a souvenir mug, and enjoy the Odori illuminations all at the same time. If you plan to visit: Go a little early to avoid the evening rush. For a light snack, try German sausages, pretzels, and sweets at the market. Book your outcall service for a later time than you plan to return to your hotel (many guests choose around 10:30 PM). Sapporo Snow Festival 2026 – The Main EventThe highlight of the season is the Sapporo Snow Festival, held from February 4th to 11th, 2026. Welcome to Sapporo +2Welcome to Sapporo +2Odori Park is lined with giant snow and ice sculptures, families enjoy the Tsudome area, and Susukino bustles with ice sculptures and nightlife. Hotels in the city center fill up quickly, and the streets around Odori and Susukino are crowded late into the night. Snow Festival Guest Tips: Once you have decided on your dates, book your hotel and outcall service early. Stay in Susukino, Odori, or within Sapporo Station to shorten travel times during cold weather. Travel delays between venues are expected. Again, a time slot is much more effective than a strict time schedule. Please bring winter shoes. Icy sidewalks are beautiful, but slippery. How to Combine Events with On-site Services ComfortablyWhether you’re attending any winter event, the pattern is similar: it’s exciting but cold outside, and you return to your room warm and relaxed. To ensure a smooth process: Please let us know your plans (event, date, and approximate expected arrival time). Please let us know the name of your hotel and the area. Taxis and elevators will be busy, especially during the Snow Festival, so choose a realistic time slot. Keep your cell phone handy so you can receive arrival messages even in crowded areas. Our team is based in the heart of Sapporo’s winter activities and monitors traffic, weather, and event congestion daily. If your plans change, such as if the illuminations take longer than expected or the snow sculpture display takes longer than expected, please send us concise and clear updates. A warm end to a cold day. In the winter of 2025-2026, Sapporo will once again be decorated with illuminations, snow sculptures, and seasonal ingredients. Enjoy the festivities outdoors, take your favorite photos, and when you’re ready to escape the cold, head back to your hotel. Afterward, THC Sapporo will be ready to provide you with a quiet, peaceful, and comfortable evening in the heart of Susukino’s winter wonderland.