Another beautiful winter has arrived in Hokkaido. The snow resorts here have begun the 2023-24 season with the expectation of the return of international guests, and are working to be more convenient and more enjoyable, with new facilities, services and events. We’ll introduce some of the highlight of each of the resorts, some of the new services, and ways that we’d recommend enjoying them.

【Sapporo Area】

Kiroro Snow World

A happy ski holiday for families with small children.

One of the biggest topics in the region this season is the opening of the Club Med Kiroro Grand. Its style of all-inclusive lodging, meals, activities, children’s programs and more create a more convenient, enjoyable resort experience. The Club Med Kiroro Grand is available for families with children two years of age or older, and provides a wide range of children’s programs and services for families.
Special: Up to May 5, 2024, enjoy the Winter 2024 Early Bird Discount, and receive up to an ¥8,000 discount per person per night.

The Snow Activity World has reopened! The lineup includes a range of activities, from the Snow Park that even small children can enjoy, to snow rafting and mini snowmobiles. All activities are free for children 3 and under. Another reason why Kiroro is ideal for families with small children.

Learn more about Kiroro by taking a look at a commercial now airing on Japanese television:

SAPPORO TEINE

Conquer one of Japan’s steepest slopes, and celebrate with local craft beer!

Two rental shops have been renovated for this season! A larger floor area and shortened waiting times make rentals much more convenient. The local Teine Beer also announced a new flavor to its lineup, making use of the water from deep beneath Mt. Teine. SAPPORO TEINE is famous for the Kita Kabe Course, a steep, 36-degree slope; toast a descent of the slope, feeling like a dive into the Sea of Japan, with one of these delicious craft beers.

SAPPORO BANKEI

Let Taxi Pack help you use your time efficiently!

SAPPORO BANKEI’s popularity starts with its easy access—just 20 minutes from Sapporo—and is open for night skiing every evening. Taxi Pack makes it easy to maximize your stay in Sapporo through quick, convenient access. You will be picked up at your hotel and dropped off at the ski area at the time you choose; you can then rent all the gear and clothing needed, so you don’t have to bring anything with you. Enjoy Sapporo’s sightseeing and gourmet food during the day, then go for night skiing—one very satisfying day!

Sapporo Kokusai

Enjoy a variety of affordable and convenient travel packs!

Nearly four meters of snowpack means skiing on outstanding natural snow until May; access just 90 minutes from Sapporo means great sightseeing on days when the mountain weather turns rough. Enjoy Sapporo Kokusai at an even more reasonable price by using the Value Pack. The Bus Pack includes a one-day pass and tickets good for bathing at one of four famous hot springs, including nearby Jozankei Onsen, for just ¥5,000 (adult rate). International guests can enjoy worry-free travel!

【Western Hokkaido】

Niseko HANAZONO Resort

Take in the fireworks display while enjoy craft beer at the Tap Bar

Niseko HANAZONO, located in a deeply forested area, is the northernmost resort in Niseko. A new feature this season at the iconic Hanazono Edge restaurant is the Tap Bar. Enjoy eight different beer brands, including craft beer from Niseko breweries. Refreshing drinks that will soothe a tired body after a day in the powder. The common language of Japow is one of the charms of Niseko, bringing together people from around the world. Every Saturday, take some time out to enjoy the fireworks on the ski slopes.

Niseko Annupuri

Take advantage of the Bus Pack and Day-Trip Lunch Pack for your Sapporo stay

For the 2023-2024 season, you can enjoy skiing Niseko Annupuri while staying in Sapporo. The Niseko-Annupuri Bus Pack is a ticket for the eight-hour round trip bus between Sapporo Station and Annapuri, at the convenient and affordable price of ¥7,600. The bus runs daily until March 31.

During your stay in Niseko, you can also make use of the Day-Trip Lunch Pack, a set including a five-hour Annapuri ticket, a ¥1,000 coupon and ¥200 discount for the hot spring, all for just ¥6,000. Use the discount at four famous Niseko hot springs including Ikoi no Yuyado Iroha.

NISEKO VILLAGE

The exciting new NISEKO-YO is now open!

Right at the foot of the mountain is NISEKO VILLAGE Ski Resort, directly connected with four top resort hotels including the Hilton Niseko Village, and a shopping and dining area. This winter, NISEKO-YO opens, an area lined with restaurants featuring Japanese and world cuisine—new and exciting dining—shopping and other nighttime activities. A special experience you’ll only find in the gastronomic kingdom of Hokkaido. Take a quick look through this video:

Niseko Tokyu Grand HIRAFU

One of Japan’s biggest and most beautiful night skiing spots is back!

For the first time in four years, night skiing at the HIRAFU Gondola returns this season! One of the biggest in all of Japan, enjoy a glide through this beautifully illuminated space. Thanks to Niseko’s never-ending snow, you can once again enjoy the deep powder ride that only happens at night. The freeride park also returns this season, while the Rest House Ace Hill has been reborn as a pasta specialty restaurant. A season of revival!

Rusutsu Resort

The ultimate wellness room; a satisfying experience for mind and body

One of the highlights at Rusutsu this winter is the wellness room that has been created at Rusutsu Resort Hotel. The concept is “fulfilled,” and the room is fully equipped with luxurious facilities including private sauna, barrel sauna, cold and hot baths, oxygen capsule, hydrogen machine, the newest massage chair and beds that provide a superior night’s sleep. Even the lighting, sound and scent can be customized; sight and smell are gently stimulated, creating an amazing sense of relaxation. Not just the body but the spirit will be healed as well in this healthy and luxurious space.

【Central Hokkaido】

KAMUI SKI LINKS

Direct bus access from Sapporo and full rentals make the snow more convenient!

KAMUI SKI LINKS has a range of technical courses, is relatively uncrowded and is a great place for hunting powder. For this season, there are more rentals available, with gear that will even satisfy advanced skiers. Automatic ski lift ticket machines have now been installed in a number of hotels in Asahikawa City, so it’s even more convenient for guests to immediately access the slopes. The shuttle bus service to and from Sapporo was very popular last year and will continue this year. This only costs ¥1,000 each way, for a trip taking about 90 minutes. Now access to Kamui is easy not only from Asahikawa but from Sapporo as well!

Furano Ski Resort

The unique Furano bonchi powder, and an experiment in predicting the snow five days later!

The snow falling in the inland climate zone of the Furano Basin is fluffy, soft and smooth—a snow quality that is some of the finest in the world. We’ve nicknamed this light, fluffy snow Bonchi powder, and as part of our work this season, we started a powder snow quantification process in which we predict and publish the fluffiness index of the powder snow.

SAHORO SKI RESORT

A new 25-hours lift ticket goes on sale

About one-half of all the runs at SAHORO SKI RESORT, designed to take advantage of the natural topography, are dedicated to ungroomed snow. It’s a hidden resort where you can enjoy the powder, but not be bothered by crowds. The weather here is steady, with about 58 percent of the winter seeing clear skies. For this season, a 25-hour lift ticket is now available. The time that you’re not going through the gates isn’t applied, so you can ski anytime you like—perhaps on a morning after a heavy snowfall. You can even have days for other activities during your stay, so you can spend a day at another resort.

Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU

This world of -30° snow and ice is hot this winter!

Ski, stay, eat, play and heal at TOMAMU, a Hoshino Resorts imbued with quality; it proudly presents its Ice Village, entirely made of ice and snow. A new item for this winter is Ice Ramen. Experience the unique taste experience of cold ramen noodles and a cold soup, served in an ice bowl. Try making milk gelato using TOMAMU milk. And simply experience the Japanese hospitality that can be found in a -30° world!