Well-maintained ski slopes, powder snow and a variety of nightlife options, Hokkaido is world-class ski destination and there are some 90 ski areas. Major ski areas offer equipment rentals, ski lessons and public transport, as well as resort hotels and condominiums.
PRACTICAL TIPS
Ski Season Usually from late December to Late March (a few ski areas are open from late December to early May).
Informative Website Hokkaido Ropeway & Ski Lift Association (www.h-sakudo.jp) has full list of local ski areas (in Japanese).
BACKCOUNTRY RULES
Backcountry skiing is popular activity in recent years, but DIY backcountry comes with serious risks such as avalanche and distress. We recommend to join a tour with English-speaking guides. Top ski resorts and some tour agencies offer backcountry tours, with insurance and registration to the local police.
DIY backcountry skiers should submit a climbing plan (登山計画書: tozan keikakusho) to the local police station, then bring a map, beacon and GPS. Some ski areas have backcountry policies.
SKI AREAS & RESORTS IN HOKKAIDO
International Ski Areas & Websites A-Z
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Asahi-dake Ropeway asahidake.hokkaido.jp
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Furano Ski Area www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/furano/winter/
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Hakodate Nanae Snowpark hakodate-nanae.jp
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Kamui Ski Links www.kamui-skilinks.com
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Kiroro Snow World www.kiroro.co.jp
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Niseko United Ski Resort www.niseko.ne.jp
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Rusutsu Resort rusutsu.com
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Sahoro Resort Ski Area sahoro.co.jp/winter/ski
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Sapporo Kokusai Ski Area www.sapporo-kokusai.jp
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Sapporo Moiwa-yama Ski Area www.rinyu.co.jp/moiwa/
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Sapporo Teine Ski Area sapporo-teine.com/snow/
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Sounkyo Kuro-dake Ropeway www.rinyu.co.jp/kurodake/
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Tomamu Ski Area www.snowtomamu.jp/winter/ski/
Recommended Local Ski Areas & Websites A-Z
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Esashi Mikasa-yama Ski Area www.ski.npo-emsc.net
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Hidaka Kokusai Ski Area www.town.hidaka.hokkaido.jp/site/ski/
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Horotachi Ski Area www.dankejapan.co.jp/horotachi.html
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Kamoi-dake Ski Area m-kamoi.com
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Minamifurano Ski Area www.town.minamifurano.hokkaido.jp
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Niyama Kogen Ski Area niyama.grow8.com/ski/
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Nayoro Piyashiri Ski Area www.nayoro.co.jp/piyashiri/top/
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Otaru Tengu-yama Ski Area tenguyama.ckk.chuo-bus.co.jp
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Pippu Ski Area www.town.pippu.hokkaido.jp/ski/top.html
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