For freeskiers, Hokkaido is a symbol of powder snow and a special place. When talking about Hokkaido, a winter trip would be impossible without mentioning Sapporo. The Sapporo area is easily accessible by car, just over an hour, and is home to several superb powder fields. Here we introduce the famous powder courses at ski resorts near Sapporo where you can conveniently enjoy JAPOW!
Sapporo Teine
Kick up an overhead powder spray on the North Face, one of Japan's steepest slopes
It's extremely accessible, just a 40-minute drive from central Sapporo. From the summit, which is over 1,000 meters above sea level, you can enjoy spectacular riding while taking in the beautiful views of Sapporo city and Ishikari Bay. The sparse forest nature zone is a powder paradise with ungroomed snow
The best way to enjoy powder at Teine is not just on the slopes, but in the vast backcountry that spreads out from the summit. The quality of the snow and the fascinating terrain are incredible. Easy lift access allows you to ski down the powder-filled faces and then return to the ski resort parking lot. Teine has set up a "Teine Gate" near the summit, and the resort takes the stance that skiing beyond that point outside the ski resort's managed area is at your own risk
Sapporo Teine's specialty powder course
・North Wall Course
Maximum gradient: 36 degrees, average gradient: 20 degrees / Distance: 1500m / Slope orientation: North
This famous course is famous for Sapporo Teine, which has nurtured many famous skiers, including Daisuke Sasaki and Tsuyoshi Kodama. It is an ungroomed slope with a maximum gradient of 36 degrees, and is a tree-run field with variations that make use of the natural terrain. The snow is exquisite when you are riding at top speed. There is one lift, and it's fun to spin around on it. It is such a challenging course that the official website states, "There is no turning back, so those who are not confident should refrain from riding."
・Nature Zone
There are four nature zones where you can enjoy untouched nature. Along the Panorama 1st Lift, along the Paradise Lift, between the Shirakaba Suntrap and Sunrise Courses, and between the Shirakaba 2nd and 3rd Lifts, there are all tree-run fields. In particular, the nature zone next to the City View Cruise Course, which runs along the ridge to the right from the summit, has a varied mid-slope and excellent snow quality
◆Official website: https://sapporo-teine.com/snow/
Sapporo International Ski Resort
Enjoy sightseeing in Sapporo and enjoy the powder without compromising.
Aim for a long powder ride the morning after it snows.
Sapporo Kokusai is a city resort easily accessible from Sapporo city, just a 90-minute drive away, but boasts an incredible amount and quality of snow. It's a tough resort that accumulates nearly 3 meters of snow in the peak season, allowing you to ski for over six months until May. The vast slopes, with a maximum run length of 3.6 km, have seven diverse courses. Each course is long, so the attraction is that you can enjoy long powder rides after the snowfall
It's great to be able to check the snow conditions while enjoying sightseeing and Susukino Town in Sapporo, and then head out to ski at Sapporo Kokusai in the morning. Jozankei Onsen is also close to the ski resort, making it a great place to stop by
Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort's famous powder course
・Downhill course
Maximum gradient: 30 degrees, average gradient: 15 degrees / Distance: 2,200m / Slope orientation: -
Sapporo Kokusai boasts a downhill course with a maximum gradient of 30 degrees. Because it is an ungroomed course, the slope continues for about 2.2 km from the top to the bottom, making for an incredibly challenging skiing experience. You can also use the Sky Cabin around this course, which is an attractive feature as it allows you to ski more efficiently
・Echo course
Maximum gradient: 22 degrees, average gradient: 12 degrees / Distance: 1,000m / Slope orientation: -
This ungroomed course features exceptionally high-quality powder snow near the top of the slope at an elevation of 1,100m. There's also a nice cafe called "SKS INTERNATIONAL" at the top, and the comfortable Echo Quad lift with hoods means you can ski as much as you want
◆Official website: sapporo-kokusai.jp
Kiroro Snow World
Enjoy the finest powder snow on a day trip while having fun in Sapporo
It's close to Sapporo city, so even if you're staying in Sapporo, it's easy to make a day trip there. The low temperatures mean that the quality of the powder snow is maintained from the beginning of the season, and the many courses with rich terrain suitable for powder riding make it very popular. If you can ride Ichigodra in the morning during the high season, there's a good chance you'll be able to ski in powder. Even if it hasn't snowed the day before, the wind can sometimes blow up light snow, resetting the snow surface. We recommend checking the snow forecast website the night before
The Nagamine area on the north side offers a good pace on the mid-slope, and the powder zone is a famous run where fresh snow skiing events are held. The wide slopes offer endless fun depending on how you take your lines. There are also many mushes and banks that grow thanks to the abundant snow
Kiroro Snow World's famous powder course
・Powder ride
Maximum gradient: 29.5 degrees, average gradient: 10 degrees / Distance: 222m / Slope orientation: East
This is Kiroro's most popular powder spot. From Asariyama Top, you can drop in via the Grand Line, then the Expert A course with ungroomed snow. The wide, open runs offer a sense of freedom. This is the perfect spot for those looking to ski on untracked slopes first thing in the morning
・Asari 2nd C Course
Maximum gradient: 36.8 degrees, average gradient: 14 degrees / Distance: 1100m / Slope orientation: -
This is a long, ungroomed course that starts from the top of Mt. Asari at an elevation of 1,180m. For freeriders, this is the most popular and famous course on the Kiroro slopes. After approaching from the bottom with a single Kiroro Dora, you can spin around on the Asari No. 2 lift, which is very efficient. The neighboring Asari No. 2 B course is also an ungroomed, advanced course, so we recommend alternating between C and B
・Off-piste
Asari, Yoichi, Center, Nagamine off-piste areas
Kiroro offers five vast off-piste areas across four areas within its ski resort management zone. Entry is via designated entrances. The variety is truly diverse, with beautiful tree-run forests, varied natural terrain, deep powder spots, and courses that give you a sense of exploration. There are also many courses that can be easily ridden using the lifts, making it a joyous experience for advanced skiers
◆Official website: https://www.kiroro.co.jp/ja/
Rusutsu Resort
A tree run in a beautiful forest with abundant powder that attracts hardcore skiers from all over the world
Mount Yotei blocks the humidity flowing in from the Sea of Japan, allowing Rusutsu to receive drier powder than the Niseko area. Intermittent snowfall from December to February resets the faces with fresh snow almost every day, resulting in a high chance of hitting powder. The slopes of Mt. Isola and East Mt. face north, so they are less exposed to the sun and maintain good snow conditions
There are 37 courses spread across three mountains - West Mt., East Mt. and Mt. Isola - with a total ski distance of 42km. The vast fields are efficiently laid out with lifts and gondolas, allowing for efficient movement and a great deal of skiing. Another reason for its popularity is the abundance of powder spots scattered throughout
Rusutsu is particularly famous for its side country parks, which make use of the undulating and varied natural terrain, and its tree runs in the typically Japanese broadleaf forests. They are so exciting and film-worthy that they have even had overseas ski movie crews shout out their excitement. Rusutsu is also unique in that you can enjoy deep powder tree runs in beautiful forests
Rusutsu's famous powder course
・Super East Course
Maximum gradient: 40 degrees, average gradient: 32 degrees / Distance: 500m / Slope orientation: East
A steep slope starting from the summit of East Mt. This is the steepest run at Rusutsu Resort and has ungroomed snow, so you can enjoy the pleasant powder after a heavy snowfall. Large moguls are likely to form, making this a highly technical run that is usually suited to experts
・Heavenly Canyon Course
Maximum gradient: 29 degrees, average gradient: 13 degrees / Distance: 1850m / Slope orientation: East
Located at the deepest part of Mt. Isola, this ungroomed run is representative of the Heavenly Area. The stream-based route means wind-blown snow tends to accumulate, and the run is an astounding 1,850m long. This is a popular spot in Rusutsu, attracting powder lovers of all kinds, both skiers and snowboarders
・Heavenly Spirit Course
Maximum gradient: 22 degrees, average gradient: 19 degrees / Distance: 550m / Slope orientation: Northeast
The start is gentle, but if you take the Heavenly View Course that branches off, you can jump right in at high speed. The slope has a maximum gradient of 22 degrees and continues for nearly 500m, allowing you to fully enjoy Rusutsu's dry powder
◆Official website: rusutsu.com
