Start planning your trip
{{ inputValue.start }} - {{ inputValue.end }}
With:
Hokkaido: Top 5 Ski Resorts for Winter 2024-2025
This service includes sponsored advertisements.
Hokkaido, the northernmost area in Japan, offers powder snow in the winter and wonderful ski resorts. This article introduces five ski resorts and their operating season for 2024-2025, as well as information on hotels and transportation in the area.
Written by
This is the official account of MATCHA's editorial department. Our articles feature useful travel information for visitors to Japan, from how-to guides to recommended places to visit.
Skiing on Powder Snow - The Highlight of Winter in Hokkaido
Hokkaido, with a total area of about 83,450 square kilometers, is the northernmost of Japan’s main islands and is well-known for its great winter sports facilities.
Hokkaido naturally receives heavy snowfall in winter due to its northern location. As the largest prefecture in Japan, its many mountains and valleys have resulted in many ski and winter sports resorts. Moreover, winter is longer in Hokkaido, which gives you more time to enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and other snow play. In this article, we introduce our top five ski resorts selected based on the skill level required and overall quality, as well as the season for each.
In order to go from Tokyo to Hokkaido, we recommend using the New Chitose Airport to get to areas such as Sapporo and Otaru, and Asahikawa Airport for Furano and central Hokkaido. A flight from Haneda Airport or Narita Airport would take roughly 60 minutes to 90 minutes to any of these airports.
Read also
1. Furano Ski Resort: For Beginners and Experts
Furano Ski Resort, situated in Furano City, in the heart of Hokkaido, is a historic, full-scale ski resort where many international ski contests were held. It takes only one hour and 20 minutes to reach (by bus) from Asahikawa Airport.
Ski slopes are available in two areas, the Furano ski area with long ski slopes and the Kitanomine ski area with a wide variety of ski slopes. The view of the snowy mountains from the ropeway, which accommodates 101 people, is magnificent.
There are 24 ski courses in total with a wide range of terrains here, not to mention long ski runs that go for 3000 meters or so. Furano Ski Resort is great not only for advanced skiers but also for beginners and intermediates too.
Furano Ski Resort 2024 - 2025 Season
Ski season:
Furano Zone: November 30, 2024 to May 6, 2025
Kitanomine Zone: Late December 2024 to March 23, 2025
Official website: https://www.princehotels.com/en/ski/furano/index.html
Find accommodation in Furano on Booking.com
2. Niseko Annupuri International Ski Area: A Spacious Resort
Niseko Annupuri International Ski Area offers a discounted bus package tour which includes a round trip bus ticket from Sapporo Station, Shin Chitose Airport, Otaru City, and Yoichi City, and a ski lift pass for eight hours. Its charm is its easy-to-access environment. Moreover, the ski resort itself has a lot of attractive things to offer.
Mostly wide and gentle slopes are found here which makes it ideal for beginners and intermediate guests. There are 13 ski runs available from average 6-degree slopes for kids to 24-degree slopes located in deeper snow areas with woods. The powdery snow found at Niseko is perfect and enables skiers to glide easily along.
Niseko Annupuri International Ski Area 2024 - 2025 Season
Ski season: November 30, 2024 to May 6, 2025 (Tentative)
Official website: https://annupuri.info/winter/english/
Find accommodation in Niseko on Booking.com
3. Hakodate Nanae Snow Park: Long Ski Runs
Picture courtesy of Hakodate Nanae Snow Park
Hakodate Nanae Snow Park attracts people with its nature-based slopes; here you can enjoy the mountains with their snow-covered peaks as you ski. There are incredible views of Mount Komagatake and the beautiful city, too.
The longest ski run here is 4 kilometers long, but there are also 2-kilometer ski runs with wide and gentle slopes for families. The advanced ski runs through natural settings too. This resort is ideal for all levels and those who want to enjoy the outdoors as much as they enjoy skiing.
To get to Hakodate Nanae Snow Park, from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station or JR Onuma-Koen Station, take a complimentary shuttle bus (20 to 25 minutes).
Hakodate Nanae Snow Park 2024 - 2025 Season
General Season: December 14, 2024 to Sunday, March 30, 2025
Night Skiing: December 28, 2024 to March 2, 2025
Official website: https://hakodate-nanae.jp/winter/ (Japanese)
Find accommodation in Hakodate on Booking.com
4. Sapporo Kokusai International Ski Resort: Take a Day Trip
Thanks to direct bus service from Sapporo City, Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort is perfect if you want to take a one-day ski trip during your visit to Sapporo. There are not only plenty of ski runs offered for intermediates but also areas for beginners and snow playgrounds for kids as well. Even if you are a beginner, you can have a blast without any worries. Make sure to get a bus tour ticket to get a great deal, which includes a round-trip bus ticket as well as lift tickets.
Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort 2024 - 2025 Season
Ski Season: November 22, 2024- TBA
Official website: https://www.sapporo-kokusai.jp/en/
Find accommodation for Sapporo on Booking.com
5. Otaru Tenguyama Ski Resort: Superb Night View
Otaru Tenguyama Ski Resort is where the first All Japan Ski Championship was held in 1923. Starting from a 24-degree slope which has its nickname, Tengu (long-nosed goblin) Wall, each slope has steep sections which make this the best ski resort for experts.
Tenguyama Shrine, located at the highest point within Otaru City, is found on the top of the mountain and from here you can enjoy stunning night views. So even for non-skiers, this resort is an exciting place to visit. The resort is accessible from Otaru Station in about 17 minutes.
Otaru Tenguyama Ski Resort 2024-2025 Season
General Season: TBA
Night Skiing: TBA
Official website: https://tenguyama.ckk.chuo-bus.co.jp/
Find accommodation in Otaru on Booking.com
FAQ
Where to stay in Hokkaido for skiing in winter?
For winter skiing in Hokkaido, popular accommodation choices include Niseko for its renowned resorts, Furano for varied slopes, Rusutsu for family-friendly options, Sapporo as a convenient base, and Asahikawa for access to multiple ski areas. Each location offers a range of accommodations from luxury hotels to budget-friendly options, catering to different preferences and budgets for a fulfilling ski holiday in Hokkaido.
What are the best months to ski in Hokkaido?
The best months for skiing in Hokkaido are typically from December to March. This period offers prime winter conditions with abundant snowfall, making it ideal for skiing and snowboarding. March is also a good time with excellent snow conditions and fewer crowds compared to peak winter months.
Where to go in Hokkaido for snow?
Hokkaido offers a winter wonderland with diverse snowy experiences. Explore Sapporo for the renowned Snow Festival and wintry city views, while Niseko and Furano beckon with world-class ski resorts and powdery snow for skiing enthusiasts. Otaru's charming snow-lined canal provides a picturesque setting for strolls, and Shiretoko National Park offers a unique snowy wilderness ideal for nature lovers, encapsulating the variety of Hokkaido's snowy landscapes and winter activities.
How many ski resorts are in Hokkaido?
Hokkaido, known for its excellent skiing conditions, boasts numerous ski resorts across the region. There are over 80 ski resorts in Hokkaido, offering a wide range of slopes catering to various skill levels, from beginners to advanced skiers and snowboarders. Each resort has its own unique attributes, such as powder snow, well-groomed runs, and stunning mountain views, making Hokkaido a premier destination for winter sports enthusiasts.
Where does it snow the most in Hokkaido?
Niseko, Furano, Asahikawa, and Rusutsu are some of the snowiest regions in Hokkaido, known for heavy snowfall ideal for winter sports enthusiasts. These areas provide excellent conditions for skiing and snowboarding with consistent and substantial snow cover throughout the season, making them popular destinations for snowy adventures in Hokkaido.
Is it worth going to Hokkaido in winter?
Visiting Hokkaido in winter is a captivating experience that offers a magical blend of activities and scenes unique to the season. Hokkaido's renowned winter festivals like the Sapporo Snow Festival and the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival showcase impressive snow and ice sculptures, creating a fairy-tale atmosphere. The island's world-class ski resorts with exceptional powder snow conditions attract skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts from around the globe. Relaxing in hot springs amidst snowy landscapes, enjoying outdoor winter baths, and partaking in snow activities like snowshoeing and husky sledding offer a chance to embrace the winter wonderland of Hokkaido. Exploring cities like Sapporo and charming towns like Otaru adds cultural richness and culinary delights to the winter experience, making Hokkaido a captivating destination for a memorable and enchanting winter retreat unlike any other.
Enjoy Your Hokkaido Trip!
If you plan to travel to Hokkaido in the winter, make sure to be prepared against the cold. This region sees very low temperatures in the winter months. Please refer to the articles below for details:
This is the official account of MATCHA's editorial department. Our articles feature useful travel information for visitors to Japan, from how-to guides to recommended places to visit.
Top Articles
Related Article
Special Features
More
