Location: SAPPORO TEINE
For free skiers, Hokkaido is a symbolic existence of powder and a special place. Speaking of Hokkaido, you can't talk about winter trips without mentioning Sapporo. Around Sapporo, there are several powder fields that can be easily accessed by driving for a little over an hour, but without exception. Introducing the famous powder course of the ski resort where you can enjoy JAPOW conveniently in the suburbs of Sapporo!
Sapporo Teine
Wind up the overhead powder spray on Japan's steepest slope "North Wall"
About 40 minutes by car from the center of Sapporo city, the access is excellent. From the summit, which is more than 1,000m above sea level, you can enjoy exciting riding while viewing the beautiful scenery of Sapporo city and Ishikari Bay. The sparsely forested nature zone is a powder paradise with uncompacted snow.
Not only on the slopes, but if you want to enjoy the powder at Teine to the fullest, it is a vast backcountry that spreads abundantly from the top of the mountain. The quality of the snow and the fun of the terrain are unmatched. With easy lift access, you can glide over powdery faces and finally return to the ski area parking lot. Teine has set up a "Teine Gate" near the summit, and takes a stance to watch over skiing beyond the ski resort management area beyond that on the premise of self-responsibility.
Sapporo Teine Powder Specialty Course
・North wall course
Maximum slope: 36 degrees Average: 20 degrees / Distance: 1500m / Slope orientation: North
A famous course that makes the name of Sapporo Teine, which raised many famous skiers such as Daisuke Sasaki and Tsuyoshi Kodama. An uncompacted snow slope with a maximum slope of 36 degrees, a tree run field with variations that make the most of the natural topography. The snow on top speed is the best. It's fun because there's one lift and you can spin it around. It is a challenging course that is expressed on the official website as "There is no turning back, so please refrain from those who are not confident."
・Nature Zone
There are four nature zones where you can fully enjoy untouched nature. Along the Panorama No. 1 lift, along the Paradise lift, between the Shirakaba Suntrap/Sunrise course, and between the Shirakaba No. 2 and No. 3 lifts are tree run fields. Above all, the Nature Zone next to the City View Cruise Course, which runs from the summit to the right along the ridge, has a moderately varied slope with excellent snow quality.
◆ Official HP / https://sapporo-teine.com/snow/
Sapporo International Ski Resort
Enjoy sightseeing in Sapporo and don't compromise on
powder A long powder ride aimed at the next morning
Sapporo Kokusai is a city resort that is conveniently located about 90 minutes by car from Sapporo city, but the amount and quality of snow is unbelievable. It's a tough resort that accumulates nearly 3 meters of snow in the high season and can be skied for more than 6 months until May. There are 7 courses rich in variety on the vast slopes with a maximum run distance of 3.6km. All the courses are long distances, so you can enjoy long powder riding after snowfall.
As long as I am happy that I can check the snow condition and go skiing at Sapporo Kokusai in the morning while enjoying sightseeing in Sapporo and Susukino Town. In addition, Jozankei Onsen is close to the ski area, making it a perfect place to stop by.
Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort's famous powder course
・Downhill course
Maximum slope: 30 degrees Average: 15 degrees / Distance: 2,200 m / Slope direction: -
The pride of Sapporo Kokusai is the downhill course with a maximum gradient of 30 degrees. Because it is an uncompacted snow course, the vine slope extends for about 2.2km from the top to the bottom, and the feeling of sliding is overwhelming. You can use the sky cabin to rotate around this course, so it's also attractive that you can earn a lot of skiing.
・Echo course
Maximum slope: 22 degrees Average: 12 degrees / Distance: 1,000m / Slope direction: -
An uncompacted snow course with exceptionally fine powder snow near the top of the slopes at an altitude of 1,100m. There is also a nice cafe "SKS INTERNATIONAL" at the top of the mountain, and you can slide as much as you want because you can turn it on a comfortable hooded echo quad lift.
◆ Official website: sapporo-kokusai.jp
Kiroro Snow World
Enjoy the finest powder on a day trip while having fun in Sapporo
It is close to Sapporo city, so you can make a day trip even if you stay in Sapporo. Due to the low temperature, the quality of the powder is maintained from the beginning of the season, and the many courses with rich terrain suitable for powder riding are very popular. If you can ride Ichigodora in the morning during the high season, you have a high chance of skiing powder. Even if it hadn't fallen the day before, light snow may be picked up by the wind and reset the snow surface. It is recommended to check the snow forecast site the night before.
The Nagamine area located on the north side is a famous bahn where you can turn the middle slope at a good tempo, and the powder zone is where the fresh snow gliding event is held. The width is wide, and the ways to enjoy it are endless depending on how you take the line. There are many mashes and banks that grow in the abundant snow cover.
Kiroro Snow World's famous powder course
・Powder ride
Maximum slope: 29.5 degrees Average: 10 degrees / Distance: 222m / Slope direction: East
Kiroro's representative slope powder spot, which is very popular. Drop-in via the ground line from the top of Asatoyama → expert A course of non-compressed snow. It's a very wide open barn with plenty of liberation. A dream place where you want to ski on a no-track first thing in the morning.
・Asari 2C course
Maximum slope: 36.8 degrees Average: 14 degrees / Distance: 1100m / Slope direction: ー
A long course with uncompacted snow that descends from the top of Mt. Asato at an altitude of 1,180m. For freeride enthusiasts, this is the most popular and famous course on the Kiroro slopes. After approaching from the bottom with a single Kiroro Gondola, you can turn around with the Asari No. 2 lift, which is very efficient. The adjacent Asari 2B course is also a non-compressed snow course for advanced users, so it is recommended to switch between C and B.
・Off-piste
Asari/Yoichi/Center/Nagamine off-piste area
Kiroro has 5 vast off-piste areas in 4 areas within the ski area management area. Entry from the installed entrance. There is a wide variety of variations such as beautiful tree run forests, varied natural terrain, deep powder spots, and courses full of exploration. There are many courses where you can use lifts to bang bang, and it's an irresistible fun for advanced skiers.
◆ Official HP / https://www.kiroro.co.jp/en/
Rusutsu Resort
Tree run in a beautiful powdery forest that attracts core skaters around the world
Mt. Yotei blocks the humidity that flows in from the Sea of Japan, so Rusutsu is covered with drier powder than the Niseko area. Due to the intermittent snowfall from December to February, the face is reset with fresh snow almost every day, and the powder hit rate is high. Mt.Isola and East Mt. have slopes facing north, so they are less exposed to the sun and maintain good snow conditions.
There are 37 courses spread over the three mountains of "West Mt.", "East Mt." and "Mt. Isola" with a total running distance of 42km. Another reason for its popularity is that you can move around efficiently and earn a lot of skiing, and there are many powder spots here and there.
The side country park that makes use of the undulating and varied natural terrain and the tree run in the Japanese broadleaf forest are especially famous. It's so funny and "picture-bright" that overseas ski movie crews scream. Only Rusutsu can enjoy deep powder tree runs in beautiful forests.
Rusutsu's famous powder course
・Super East Course
Maximum slope: 40 degrees Average: 32 degrees / Distance: 500m / Slope direction: East
A steep slope starting from the summit of East Mt. The course with the steepest slope at Rusutsu Resort has uncompacted snow, so you can enjoy the pleasant powder after a heavy snowfall. This is a course for experts who are usually very technical and prone to large bumps.
・Heavenly Canyon Course
Maximum slope: 29 degrees Average: 13 degrees / Distance: 1850m / Slope direction: East
The deepest part of Mt. Isola, the uncompacted snow course that represents the Heavenly area. Snow carried by the wind easily accumulates due to the creek, and the length of the course reaches 1,850m. Rusutsu's famous point where powder lovers gather, regardless of whether they are skiers or snowboarders.
・Heavenly Spirit Course
Maximum slope: 22 degrees Average: 19 degrees / Distance: 550m / Slope orientation: Northeast
Although the start is gentle, it is possible to jump in while keeping the speed from the branching heavenly view course. The maximum slope of 22 degrees continues for nearly 500m, and you can fully enjoy the dry powder of Rusutsu.
◆Official HP／ rusutsu.com
