Where is the absolute cheapest place to stay for skiing and snowboarding in Hokkaido?
Many people are thinking, “I want to ski in Hokkaido, but I want to keep travel expenses as cheap as possible.” The price of a hotel in the ski resort is high in the winter. Instead you can choose a hotel in Sapporo and stay at a much more reasonable price, and be able to enjoy Sapporo city sightseeing and gourmet food! Here we will introduce the merit of staying in Sapporo and traveling to the ski resort by a direct bus that runs from the hotel.
Why is it so expensive when staying at a ski resort?
The snow quality in Hokkaido is said to be some of the best in the world. It is loved by skiers all over the world. The excitement of Skiing in Hokkaido attracts skiers every year from all over Japan as well as from overseas.
Hokkaido has been growing steadily since 2012. The number of visitors coming from abroad continues to grow. Regardless of whether you live in Japan or come from overseas, the fact is that the number of tourists is increasing and hotel reservations become harder to get and the rates go up. This momentum will continue to accelerate in the future. If you want to go on skiing and snowboarding trips as cheaply as possible you can save a lot of money by staying in Sapporo.
The benefits of staying in Sapporo!
The advantage of staying at Sapporo part 1 – Overwhelmingly cheaper!–
Except for during big events such as the snow festival, hotels in Sapporo will be much cheaper in the winter than in the summer. On the other hand, in the case of ski resorts, the winter is the time when ski visitors will pay the highest price for resort accommodations. The savings from staying in a hotel in Sapporo rather than at the resort is obvious, even when adding the cost of a round-trip bus ticket to the slopes.
Benefits of staying in Sapporo part 2 – Things to do after skiing! –
After having enjoyed a day of skiing, it is good to go to the hot springs and relax, but it is also quite enjoyable to spend time sightseeing and having a gourmet meal. If you stay in Sapporo city, after returning to the hotel you can enjoy Hokkaido gourmet in the Susukino area in the center of Sapporo. It is a great place to enjoy Genghis Khan and Sapporo beer, or warm up with a bowl of soup curry, or treat yourself to some miso ramen at the original Sapporo Ramen Alley!
How can I go from Sapporo to the ski resort?
Now that you understand that it is possible to stay cheaply in Sapporo city. You may be concerned about how to get to the ski resort! Not to worry! All the main hotels in Sapporo city have a direct bus that runs to the ski resorts. Below we will introduce the popular ski resorts that you can go to on a day trip from Sapporo and how long it will take to get there by bus.
This is a great place if you are looking for powder snow in Sapporo!
【Bus: Sapporo city → ski area】 Duration: about 1 hour 25 minutes
Sapporo International Ski Resort boasts some of the best powder snow and huge slopes in Hokkaido. They have seven versatile courses that can be enjoyed by beginners, advanced, and family skiers. The ski resort is close to Sapporo, is open long hours and has skiing from mid-November to early May. It is a ski resort with a high probability of having powder snow even in the spring!
Spot name Sapporo International Ski Resort
business hours 【Business Period of 2017】
・Scheduled open date
Friday, November 17, 2017
This resort boasts of having the most snowfall in Hokkaido!
【Bus: Sapporo city → ski area】 Duration: about 1 hour 30 minutes
Kiroro boasts of having an amazing amount of snowfall! It has been called “the ski resort with the highest amount of snowfall in Hokkaido,” and there is no snow shortage during the ski season. You can enjoy some of the best powder snow in the world. Although there are many gentle courses for beginners, there are also Cobb slopes for the middle and advanced-level skiers. Their abundant supply of the finest powder snow attracts many
repeat customers every year!
Spot name Kiroro Resort Ski Area
business hours 【Business Period of 2017】
· Scheduled open date
Thursday, November 23, 2017
This Ski resort boasts the largest ski area in Hokkaido!
【Bus: Sapporo city → ski area】 Duration: about 1 hour 45 minutes
Rusutsu Resort Ski Area has 37 courses spread out over 3 mountains, with plenty of powder snow. It has 18 lifts and a gondola. The combined run distance of all the courses is an impressive 28 miles! This ski area is known as the largest ski area in Hokkaido. With plenty of powder snow covering their courses, you can enjoy exquisite powder snow skiing as much as you want!
Spot name Rusutsu Resort Ski Area
business hours 【Business Period of 2017】
· Scheduled open date
Thursday, November 23, 2017
· Operating period
Thursday, November 23, 2017 – Sunday, April 8, 2018
Some of the finest powder snow in Hokkaido!
【Bus: Sapporo city → ski area】 Duration: about 2 hours and 25 minutes
Niseko Grand Hirafu is the largest ski resort in the Niseko area. People all over the world come here seeking the finest powder snow. It is connected to the Hanazono ski area. Together they have 30 courses and 15 lifts. The longest running distance is 3 ½.
Spot name Niseko Gran Hirafu Ski Area
business hours 【Business Period of 2017】
· Scheduled open date
Thursday, November 23, 2017
· Operating period
Thursday, November 23, 2017 – May 6, 2018 (Sun)
· Night sales
Saturday, December 9, 2017 – March 18 (Sun), 2018
Save even more money with J-TRIP’s “STAY & GO” package!
If you are going skiing in Hokkaido, the J-TRIP’s “STAY and GO” package is the way to go! It is a great deal that includes your hotel room in Sapporo, round-trip bus ride to the ski slopes and lift tickets. Our package price is cheaper than if you booked them separately by yourself! It is the perfect package for those who have already arranged their air tickets to Hokkaido on their own!
We also have “packages tours” that include air tickets to Hokkaido, so please check them out on our website. This winter, enjoy a great travel deal with J – TRIP!
