Another beautiful winter has arrived in Hokkaido. As the ’24-25 season kicked off with an astounding amount of snowfall thanks to the La Niña, Hokkaido’s snow resorts bring new facilities, services, and events to create a more streamlined and enjoyable experience than ever. Here we’ll be introducing some of the highlights of each resort, along with new features and must-dos.

【Sapporo Area】

Kiroro Snow World

The Kiroro First Track for the hard-core riders, and Kiroro Snow Activity World for the fun

This winter,for the hard-core riders, we recommend the Kiroro First Track program that takes you up the mountain on the Kiroro Gondola before regular operating hours to get exclusive access to fresh powder.

No new snow in the morning? No problem, the newly groomed slopes are waiting for your high-speed carving. Although spots are limited, the program runs every day until March 31, 2025, at the budget-friendly price of 1,000 yen.

What sets Kiroro apart is Kiroro Snow Activity World, offering a multitude of winter activities ranging from mini snowmobiles to banana boats, sleds, and tubing. Popular not only among children but also inbound non-riding adults, they offer the convenience of rentals for thermal boots and insulated stadium coats.

The Snow Activity World is easily accessible using the “Snow Activity Package,” a bundle deal that takes you on a day trip via bus from Sapporo.

Let’s check out Kiroro’s Activity World through a video!

SAPPORO TEINE

Introducing the new 25-hour lift pass and all-new SNOW-LAND!

This season brings the new 25-hour lift pass, which gives you lift access in 1-hour increments for a total of 25 hours during the season and can even be used on separate days. The pass is perfect for those staying in Sapporo who want to hit the slopes on days with good weather or fresh powder while leaving time to sightsee in Sapporo. It’s a super convenient option for making the most of your stay.

Sunny day? Fresh powder from a snowy night? You can plan your ski days around snow and weather conditions and still make time to sightsee in the city.

Another new addition is Teine Snow Land, set up in the Olympia Zone of the Shirakaba run. Offering tubing, sledding, snowshoe tours, and more, it’s the perfect spot for families with small children. It’s also great for non-skiers and snowboarders looking to enjoy the snow and make core memories with their families.

●Entry fee: 1,500 yen (free for children under 4 and K Winter Pass members)

SAPPORO BANKEI

Just bring yourself! 20 minutes from central Sapporo: the Wakuwaku Taxi Package

The Wakuwaku Taxi Package, taking advantage of Bankei’s accessible location just a 20-minute drive away from Sapporo, is the ultimate bundle that includes a round-trip by taxi, lift passes, and rentals. Leave at any time you want, and enjoy skiing or snowboarding without the hassle of bringing gear.

They have a 4-hour plan in addition to the standard full day, so you can even do half and half between sightseeing in Sapporo and the mountains. The plan is available for groups of up to 4 people for as little as 6,820 yen per person. Booking is simple, available online up until 5:00 pm the day before departure with a minimum group size of 2 people.

Sapporo Kokusai

Lounge THE 6, grand opening on February 1st!
Step into a delightful space with touches of Japanese elegance

This season, the former base station for the 6-person gondola was reborn as an aesthetic lounge renovated with a flair of “Wa,” or traditional Japanese design.
Lounge THE 6 houses three distinct areas, with an entrance featuring high tables with a view of the resort and furniture made from repurposed skis. The lounge even features a ‘yagura’. The adjacent rental corner offers high-spec gear and English customer service. What’s more, the portal that once served as the exit for gondolas has been preserved as a terrace with a picturesque view of the great outdoors.

You can also toast marshmallows around the fireplace, and snap an Instagram-worthy photo with the exhibit of the old gondola cab. Their menu features Sapporo’s famous seafood donburi, bowls, and dessert parfaits popular among inbound guests. Lounge THE 6 offers a memorable experience for many, including guests from overseas, making it a must-visit bucket list item.

【Western Hokkaido】

Niseko HANAZONO Resort

Fireworks Saturday 2024-25: make beautiful winter memories, only in Japan

Niseko HANAZONO Resort is renowned for its winter on-the-slope fireworks. Fireworks blossom in vibrant colors against the crisp winter sky, contrasted against the pristine white snow to create a breathtaking view nothing short of art. Complemented by the dazzling lights on the HANAZONO Symphony Gondola, the spectacle feels like you’ve stepped into a world of fantasy.

Also a traditional Japanese art form, the cultural experience created by the sound and colors of the fireworks is sure to become an unforgettable memory. A new direct bus service from Shin-Chitose Airport opened this season, making transport even smoother and allowing you to enjoy night skiing on powder the same day you arrive.

Niseko Annupuri International Ski Resort

The best-value day trip plus lunch bundle: 5-hour lift pass, 1,000 yen in meal voucher, and hot spring discount

The highlight of this season is the budget-friendly day trip bundle, combining a 5-hour lift pass, 1,000 yen in meal voucher for lunch, and a 200 yen hot spring discount for just 6,500 yen (for comparison, a regular 1-day lift pass costs 7,000 yen). The hot spring discount is redeemable at 3 different facilities, including the famous Ikoino Yuyado Iroha.

The resort has much to offer, with 13 courses ranging from mellow and wide slopes for beginners, groomed blue runs, long runs of up to 4,000 meters, and powder tree runs. With great visibility from the open layout, the resort also boasts breathtaking views. The 5-hour pass is also valid for night skiing (until 7:30 pm), making it perfect for the day you arrive from the airport or Sapporo, or day trips to Niseko.

NISEKO VILLAGE

Enjoy the resort with the whole family! A special experience at NISEKO VILLAGE KIDS CLUB

The Kids Club is a nature experience program designed for children ages 1.5 to 9. Aimed to nurture their curiosity, creativity, and emotional development through fun activities, the program offers ski and snowboarding lessons and other snow activities led by coaches fluent in English and Chinese.

Parents can rest easy knowing their children are having fun while they enjoy the freedom of riding Niseko’s powder. With the Kids Club, your family’s winter getaway in Niseko becomes even more fulfilling and enjoyable!

Niseko Tokyu Grand HIRAFU

Comfortable transport with a stunning view! Introducing the “Ace Gondola,” a new aerial attraction

This season saw the debut of the high-end “Ace Gondola,” offering an exceptionally comfortable and safe ride using cutting-edge technology. With a panoramic 360-degree view of Mt. Yotei and the city of Hirafu, the ride feels like a sightseeing attraction in the sky.

The gondola features heated synthetic leather seats and Wi-Fi, adding to the first-class experience of a smooth, quiet ride also available for sightseeing for non-skiers. 2 minutes faster than the previous Center Quad Lift, the transport capacity has increased by 1,000 people per hour.

This drastically shortens wait times, increasing transport efficiency and allowing you to enjoy the slopes to the fullest. At the summit station you’ll find the Ace Hill, where you can enjoy a leisurely moment amidst the breathtaking scenery.

Rusutsu Resort

Amazing access perfect for day trips leaving time for sightseeing and sampling local cuisine

With short and smooth travel at only a 120-minute direct bus ride from Shin-Chitose Airport, Rusutsu is a great base to plan a full itinerary around. In addition to an expansive ski area spanning 3 mountains, the resort itself offers a variety of gourmet dining options and snow activities, ensuring you’ll never get bored even during a longer stay.

For those staying in Niseko, a round-trip shuttle bus connects the resorts, allowing visitors to enjoy Rusutsu’s exceptional powder snow with ease. Additionally, the free direct bus Rusutsu-go operates daily between Sapporo and Rusutsu, with a travel time of approximately 120 minutes. Even if you’re based in Sapporo, you can enjoy a day trip to Rusutsu and experience its unique activities and powder rides.

The appeal of Rusutsu Resort has also been recognized globally, having won the “Japan’s Best Ski Resort” title at the World Ski Awards 2024.

【Central Hokkaido】

KAMUI SKI LINKS

Day trip to Kamui from Sapporo! A limited-time shuttle bus

When it comes to getting to Kamui, Asahikawa Airport is the first to come to mind. But guess what? This season, a direct shuttle bus from Sapporo to Kamui Ski Links will be running at the unbeatable price of 1,000 yen! Departing from Sapporo at 8:00 AM, the comfortable and convenient direct service takes you to Kamui in only 120 minutes.

The fact that you can take a day trip to Kamui while staying in Sapporo is big news, especially for intermediate and advanced skiers. Kamui offers technical, challenging slopes blanketed in its signature light, fluffy powder, perfect for those seeking the ideal steep & deep riding experience.

The shuttle operates on weekends and holidays from January 11 to March 9, 2025, for a total of 21 days. Reservations must be made by the day before, so don’t miss out!

Furano Ski Resort

A Luxurious Morning: Savor First Tracks with Stunning Views of Gentle Landscapes

One of the major attractions of Furano Ski Resort is the variety of first-track experiences available. Programs like the Furano First Track and Kitanomine Zone First Track offer early access via ropeway and gondola to the mountain before regular hours. As you carve fresh tracks on the pristine morning slopes you’ll be treated to breathtaking panoramic views of the Tokachidake and Daisetsuzan mountain ranges.

Will today be Furano’s signature dry Furano Basin Powder blanketing the slopes that day? Or perhaps beautifully groomed corduroy? The anticipation is all part of the fun.

For just 2,000 yen per run, you can enjoy jaw-dropping scenery and an exhilarating descent—truly a one-of-a-kind experience.

SAHORO SKI RESORT

Experience Hokkaido’s Food Culture with the Winter “HOKKAIDO BUFFET”

Sahoro Resort takes pride in its winter “HOKKAIDO BUFFET,” a special dining experience featuring an array of dishes drawing from Hokkaido’s rich food culture and regional specialties and crafted with locally sourced seasonal ingredients.

Enjoy fresh seafood like salmon, scallops, crab, and ikura (salmon roe), alongside Tokachi wagyu beef, locally grown vegetables like potatoes and asparagus, and Tokachi-produced cheese and yogurt. The extensive variety is truly impressive. The buffet also features live cooking stations, where chefs prepare dishes such as sizzling lamb BBQ (jingisukan) and steaks cooked to perfection on a teppan grill right before your eyes.

It’s a culinary experience that delights both the eyes and the palate. For international guests, the buffet includes dishes tailored to Asian and Western tastes and diets, with multilingual descriptions available, making it an enjoyable cultural experience as well.

Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU

“Ice Village,” a magical and enchanting world of ice

The Ice Village is a magical frozen town only seen on winter nights in Tomamu.
Spanning a vast 3.2 hectares, this enchanting icy town features 11 domes constructed entirely out of snow and ice. New this season is the “Ice Square,” where you can sit around a fire pit on ice benches and take in the beautiful scenery of the village. Also new is the Ice Temperature Tower, a symbol of the village where you can capture a memorable photo with the temperature displayed during your visit.

At the Ice Parlor, guests can try frozen cakes and ice cream sodas, designed to be delicious even frozen. The Ice Boutique offers a selection of items to embrace the cold, such as ice-themed accessories and items that change color with the temperature. The iconic Ice Church is also open from January 20th, 2025 to February 14 for viewing and weddings.

This one-of-a-kind experience, made possible only in the extreme -30°C cold of Tomamu. Don’t miss this special opportunity to enjoy the magic of the cold!