Recommended Ski Resorts in the Sapporo & Hokkaido Ski Resort Guide
If 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).

1. Sapporo Teine – Olympic History and Easy Access
   Sapporo 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. +1
   Located 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.

2. Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort – Powder Snow Close to the City
   Sapporo 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 +1
   Despite 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 Sapporo
Kiroro 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.

4. Rusutsu Resort – 90-120 minutes to the big mountains
   Though 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 Resort
   Rusutsu 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.

5. Niseko United – An International Powder Snow Resort
   If 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.