Hokkaido Ski Resort: Insider’s Guide to Hokkaido skiing

Located in the most northern part of Japan, Hokkaido is the largest island of Japan with an area of ​​about 83,450 km2. This region has a relatively cool summer and an icy winter. As the coldest part of Japan, Hokkaido has the lowest population density. However, it attracts thousands of visitors each year when the winter comes. In the winter, the generally high quality of powder snow and numerous mountains in Hokkaido make it a popular region for snow sports. In this article, Question Japan will introduce some of the most popular ski resorts. Now, let’s read our article and find your own best Hokkaido ski resort.

What is the best Hokkaido ski resort?

1. Niseko United

Located in the foot of Yotei mountain is a small town named Niseko, which population is just around 5000 people. The life here is always dull, but becomes very lively when the winter comes. It is because Niseko possesses one of the best ski resorts in the world – Niseko United. This Hokkaido ski resort has gone so iconic that none of the conversations of the topic “skiing in Japan” don’t include its name. So, what are there inside Niseko United?

Hokkaido Niseko Grand Hirafu resort

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This ski resort has four interlinked resorts: Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village, Hanazono, and Annupuri, among which Grand Hirafu is the largest.

Visitors can purchase the Niseko All Mountain Pass to access all the resorts in just one go in the electronic lift pass system. 

Niseko All Mountain Pass

One of the factors that contribute to the attractiveness of this resort is the quality of snow and the terrain. The area of the resort gets averagely 15 meter of snow every year, and the powder snow is famously consistent enough to ensure the safety and enable the skiers to glide easily. Turning to the terrain, it can meet the demand of skiers in all levels and ages from 6-degree slope for kids and beginners to 35-degree slope for experts. 

The powder snow is famously consistent enough to ensure the safety and enable the skiers to glide easily.

Add in to the fame of Niseko United is the night skiing. If you want to experience skiing in the dark, come to Niseko and it won’t let you down. The mountain is lit up by the lights of the pistes and restaurants or hostels in the mountain foot. The view in the dark is clearer at night, as the whiteness of the snow can blur your eyes. It is even greater if you take a lift pass and enjoy the breathtaking overview of this scenery from a great height.

Night skiing at Niseko United resort

Besides skiing, this resort also provides many other services. If you are tired after a long day of climbing and skiing, taking a hot spring bath is such an idea. Hot springs in Niseko are known as the best in Hokkaido. Indulging yourself hot spring bath can ease your muscles and help you recharge your battery. Moreover, if you like to experience Japanese culture, then it is advisable to visit some izakayas in the town. Simply speaking, izakaya is the combination of bar and restaurant, which serves many traditional dishes like sushi, soba, ramen,etc and of course sake- the “national” drink of Japan.

2. Furano ski resort

Although smaller in facility scale compared to Niseko United’s, Furano ski resort is still one of the leading Hokkaido ski resorts. 

What makes this resort stand out is the quality of snow. The powder in this resort can be considered the best in Hokkaido. Annually, Furano receives averagely 9 meter of snow, which can bury your waist or even your neck. Moreover, thanks to the effect of Siberian storm systems and the location in the middle of Hokkaido, the powder is always the lightest and driest. Furano ski resort has developed a close relationship with the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup organization. The fact that this resort have hosted 12 FIS World Cup events firmly claims the quality of powder.

Ski holiday at Furano ski resort

The ski area is divided into two linked zones: Furano and Kitanomine, which have totally 23 trails. The ski terrain is split-level, satisfying all types of skiers. Beginners or intermediates often try the most popular and perfectly groomed runs, while experts always risk skiing in the untracked and steepest runs. Besides, tourists should take a 101 passenger Furano Ropeway to reach the summit and see the breathtaking panoramic view of the Daisetsu Mountain Range and even other ski resorts.

Furano ski resort panoramic view

At the base of zones are various choices of accommodation. In Furano zone, there is only the ski-in ski-out New Furano Prince Hotel. Meanwhile, in the Kitanomine zone, the range is hotel, backpacker, pensions or Western-style self-contained condominium.

Although seeming to be suitable for skiing competitions, this Hokkaido ski resort can be considered a “family resort”. In Family Snowland, this resort offers others activities like snow rafting, snowmobiling, parasailing and dog sledding, so that visitors can take part in with their friends and family. 

Family Snowland in Furano

If it’s your first experience with skiing, so don’t worry! The resort also caters new learners with lessons in all levels in English in Furano Snow School and Furano International Snowsports School. All the now equipment and specialized clothes are for rent in those rental shops in Prince Hotel chain.

3. Sapporo Teine Ski Resort

Besides beer, Sapporo is also well-known for its Sapporo snow festival. It is the most famous festival in Japan in the winter, and attracts about 2 million of visits annually. If you have participated in this festival but haven’t been satisfied yet,then visit Sapporo Teine Ski resort. Located just 15 km away from the city center, this is among the best Sapporo ski resorts in particular and in Hokkaido in general. 

What makes this ski resort special? In 1972, Sapporo hosted Winter Olympics Games. It was the first time that the Games was held in an Asian country, but not in Europe as usual. Various events of the 1972 Winter Olympics Games took place in this resort in the Teine mountain. Until now, several artifacts have remained intact, especially the Olympic Torch. It stands on top of the resort (the peak of Mt.Teine) like a monument overlooking the whole Sapporo and Japan sea. It is the stunning and breathtaking view from the peak that also attracts visitors.

Evidence of the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo

Unlike other Hokkaido ski resorts, Sapporo Teine categorized the zones by height. There are two zones in this ski resort: Olympia Zone and Highland Zone. The lower zone is Olympia. The slopes are wider and not very steep, which are suitable for first-time skiers, the intermediates and family activities. The lift in Olympia Zone moves slowly, but because of the short length, the journey around the zone won’t take it too long.

Turning to the upper Highland Zone, the name says it all. The skiing area is about 1000 meter above the sea level, and of course, is not for the newcomers. The steep terrain provides off trail runs, and a snow park with jumps, boxes and rails for advanced and expert skiers. In this zone, the lifting system is quite new and modern. You just need to sit still and discover the whole area in the high-speed Summit Express quad chairlift. The steep slopes down to the base are always favorable. The north face of Mount Tein is the steepest side and the most favorite in the Highland Zone. The trail “Kitakabe” in the north side remains ungroomed and runs through trees, which is a fairly easier descent than slopes through thick forest in other sides. 

4. Rusutsu ski resort

Located in Rusutsu village in  the Southwest of Hokkaido, Rusutsu ski resort is another nominee for the best Hokkaido ski resort. This Niseko United’s neighbor is one of the largest resorts in Hokkaido, which attracts lots of domestic and foreign visitors. In the winter, the powder is quite dry, containing only 5% of water, which is an ideal condition for skiing activities.

The views towards Mt Yotei from Rusutsu

This ski resort is quite expansive, covering three mountains: West mountain, East Mountain and Mount Isola. At the moment, the resort features 37 courses with the total length of 42 km that meets the requirement of skiers in all purpose. The West mountain area is mainly for beginners and intermediates. The East mountain side provides a variety of rolling cruisers, where you can have the best tree skiing experience. Another drawcard of this resort is that skiers can view the volcanic landscape and Lake Toya from the aerial lift system. 

Westin Rusutsu Resort

Off the slopes are two main hotels: Rusutsu Resort Hotel and Westin Rusutsu Resort. The Westin Rusutsu Resort offers luxurious types of accommodation, while the Rusutsu Resort Hotel caters visitors with leisure services like spa, in-door onsen (hot spring bath). This resort is quite family-friendly; family members can play tubing, snow biking, dog-sledding and merry-go-round together in the snow park.

5. Hoshino Resorts Tomamu

The last in the top 5 Hokkaido ski resorts that Question Japan recommend is Hoshino Resorts Tomamu. It is located in the centre of Hokkaido, just a 90-minute shuttle bus ride from Sapporo city. Although not as famous as its neighbors (Niseko United or Rusutsu), Tomamu is increasingly gaining its popularity reputation as one of the best family ski resorts.

The resort covers an area of 145 ha of skiable terrain with a single gondola and 5 chairlifts accessing 28 trails. There are two zones in the ski area: Tomamu Mountain (1,239m) and Tower Mountain (970m). Tower Mountain is designed for kids and first-time skiers, while Tomamu Mountain’s terrain is very diverse. Intermediates love skiing in the groomed trails lik Dragon Ridge or Exhibition. Experts prefer tree skiing in the sides of  Powder Express chairlift.

This resort is also the favorite of many photographers. From the left side of Powder Express chairlift – Panorama Ridge, visitors can see the stunning and uninterrupted view of the whole resort and the surrounding landscape.The structure Cloud Walk at the top of Unkai Gondola is the location of many “sea of clouds” photos that receives millions of likes on Facebook or Instagram.

Cloud Walk in Unkai Gondola

Just like many other resorts, off the skiing slopes are two luxurious hotels, including skyscraper hotels by Hoshino Resort and the all-inclusive Club Med Tomamu. Both of the hotels offer various choices of accommodation. Moreover, they provide other services like restaurants, spas, massage, indoor onsens which can relieve your tiredness after long hours of skiing in the cold weather.

If you once were amazed at the ice hotels in the countries of Scandinavia, then you can find one in this Hoshino Resorts Tomamu. It is the illuminated Ice Village. Everything (except for beddings and covers of the hotels) is made of snow and ice. Outside the hotels are an iced restaurant, bar, shop, a wedding chapel and a workshop. In the evenings, the whole village is illuminated like a fantasy world in the fairy tales, which appeals lots of kids. Children can take part in many activities ranging from playing ice instruments and learning how to make an ice sculpture. However, the temperature always drops below -30°C, so remember to wrap yourselves up before coming here to experience the winter magic.

Tomamu Ice Village

Frequently asked questions about Hokkaido ski resort

1. What is the best time to ski in Hokkaido?

The best skiing time depends on many factors such as the weather in certain areas, the winter festivals, the powder quality, the discounted prices or the less crowded periods. However, the ski season in Hokkaido falls from mid December to to March and as late as May in some areas.

2. Why is powder in Hokkaido always praised by skiers in the world?

The cold air from Siberia blows over the Sea of Japan in northwestern direction, then collects most of the moisture. The moisture-filled air creates thick snow clouds then snowfall in the west coastal area of Hokkaido. The air is drier and drier after the snowfall, and continues to go further to the inland Hokkaido like Niseko or Furano. The dry air turns into cold one when it meets the slopes in the mountains, continues to create snow clouds and then snowfall. This is the reason why the powder now in this region is always dry and light, which is suitable for skiing.

Conclusion

After reading our article, everyone must have had decided the best Hokkaido ski resort for their own. However, all of the ski resorts are wonderful and promise to bring you the unique experience, so Question Japan hopes that you can visit all of them one day. If you have any question or want to give us some suggestions about things to do in Japan, just let us know by tying in the comment section below.