Not known to many foreigners, Hokkaido is a land of ski! Just in Sapporo city, there are about 20 ski resorts without having to travel far. There are about 60 ski resorts in Hokkaido itself!! If you want to master ski or have ultimate snow experience, go Hokkaido!
The first ski resort in Hokkaido that is widely promoted is Niseko. It is a beautiful four season area, yet being a tourism spot, it is very crowded during winter. Be sure to book early for accommodation as the hotels are easily fully booked. It is also to my surprise that AIRBNB has apartment for rent in Niseko too.
The down side of Niseko is it only has 1 to 2 trains to and fro from Otaru. If you miss the train, you will be trapped with worries on where to sleep for the night. Alternatively, plan for an overnight to enjoy the trip up.
I actually aborted my plan to travel to Niseko based on the time to travel and the daily frequency for train to and fro Sapporo. I could spend more time and less worries in the nearby international standard ski resort too.
The list of the Ski resort with detailed information are as followed:
- Kiroro Snow world
http://www.kiroro.co.jp
Indoor childcare service available, Kid's dedicated snow park
Scale beginner 37%, advance 37%, pro 26%
Operation period: Mid Nov - early Apr 9:00-15:30
Direction: Free shuttle bus with priority to hotel guest from Otaru Chikou station (小樽築港駅 ). Exit south , exit at first storey ( not a bus stop)
Frequent bus available from Otaru station. By car, 40mins, about 6000-8000yen - Niseko Mt. Resort
http://www.grand-hirafu.jp/
English site: http://www.grand-hirafu.jp/winter/en/
Scale : beginner : 37%, advance 40%, pro 23%
Operation period : early Dec to early May 8:30- 16:30 Night 16:30-20:30
Directions : 2 hours from Sapporo transfer at Otaru. JR train frequency is only 1-2 times per day. By car 15mins, by bus 20mins - Sapporo Teine
http://www.sapporo-teine.com
English site available
Scale : beginner : 30%, advance 40%, pro 30%
Operation period : Highland zone -late Nov to early May 9:00- 17:00
Olympic zone - late Nov to late Mar 9:00- 17:00 Night 16:00-21:00 ( 31st Dec till 18:00)
Directions: http://www.sapporo-teine.com/snow/lang/en/access/ - Prince Furano Snow Resort
http://www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/furano/
English site available
Scale : beginner : 40%, advance 40%, pro 20%
Operation period : early Dec to early May 8:30- 20:00 Night 17:00-20:00
Directions : Hokkaido Resort Liner offers bus transfers to and from New Chitose Airport, Asahikawa Airport, Niseko Ski Resort, Asahiyama Zoo, Tomamu Ski Resort, Sapporo and Sounkyo. - Mount Racey
http://www.yubari-resort.com/
English site available
Scale : beginner : 20%, advance 40%, pro 40%
Operation period : mid Dec to end Mar 8:30- 19:00 There are some nights that is not available.
Directions : From Odori ( bus centre ) or Shin Sapporo station, there are direction bus
http://www.yubari-resort.com/en/access.html - Niseko Hanazono
http://www.hanazononiseko.com/en/
English site available
Scale : beginner : 18%, advance 55%, pro 27%
Operation period : early Dec to early May 8:30- 19:00
Directions :http://www.hanazononiseko.com/en/snow/mountain/getting-to-hanazono.html - Nakayama Ski 中山峠スキー場
http://nakayama-ski.com/
Scale : beginner : 30%, advance 60%, pro 10%
Operation period : Mid Nov to Mid May 9:00-16:00
Directions : 60mins by car from Sapporo - Sapporo Kokusai Ski ( International ski park )
https://www.sapporo-kokusai.jp/
English site available
Scale : beginner : 30%, advance 50%, pro 20%
Operating hours : First ski period （22nd Nov～12th Dec）9:00～16：00
※ Normal period （13th Dec～29th March）Weekdays 9:00～17:00 Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays 9:00～18:00
Directions : Subway Sapporo or JR Sapporo, take Joutetsu bus ' Sapporo Kokusai Ski Ba'
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