Explore Japow

Sapporo is one of the easiest ski cities in Japan to base yourself in. You get proper mountains close enough for a day trip, local hills for short sessions, and a couple of bigger resorts that still feel doable when the forecast is screaming. Add New Chitose Airport into the mix and you can land, grab a car (or bus), and be sliding on snow the same day. This guide is built for real planning. Every resort below includes an estimated travel time from Sapporo and from New Chitose Airport (CTS). Times are “normal winter driving” ballparks, so add buffer on storm mornings, weekends, and after fresh snow when roads slow down. If you want the simplest trip, pick one or two day-trip resorts and repeat. If you’re chasing storms, keep a short-list and go where the snow is best that day. At a glance Fastest proper resort days from Sapporo are Sapporo Teine and Sapporo Kokusai. If you want the best chance of soft snow without a long transfer, Kiroro is the smart call. For short sessions and night turns, Bankei, Moiwayama, and Onze are the easy wins. If you want skiing plus great food and sightseeing, Otaru Tenguyama and Asarigawa Onsen make a perfect Otaru-side plan. If you’re happy to travel longer for bigger terrain, Rusutsu is the best “big day” pick, and Niseko United is the headline mission when you want the full experience.

Still winter where it counts Late season is not a consolation prize. March can still deliver proper refills, and April brings cold mornings, chalky north faces, and the occasional surprise top up, especially in Hokkaido and far north Tohoku. Crowds thin out. The vibe relaxes. You get space to hunt. For planning, consistency beats altitude. Resorts that reliably run well into April are a safer bet than chasing peak height alone. Latitude helps, Hokkaido stays colder, but Honshu’s spring specialists keep quality high with a mix of elevation, aspect, and grooming. Look for higher lifts, north and north east faces, and trail networks that let you follow the best surface as it changes through the day. We have weighted late season reliability and snow quality over hype. You will see Hokkaido at the top, with Honshu’s proven spring performers close behind. Pack for changeable weather, stick to the shade early, soak often, and pounce when a cold front rolls through. At a glance Colder, later, safer: Hokkaidō headliners — Kiroro, Furano, Asahidake, Sapporo Kokusai. Honshū spring specialists: Shiga Kogen, Kagura, Hakuba 47/ Goryu, Appi Kogen, Geto Kogen. Backcountry-first (guided): Asahidake, Hakkoda, Mt. T (alt pick), plus spring routes from Hakuba. Easy weekends: Kagura, Sapporo Kokusai, Hakuba 47 / Goryu — quick transport, lots of turns. Wildcard extra: Gassan opens in April — true spring skiing.

2025/26 Family Guide (12–17yr) Big kids, bigger stoke. This Teens Top 10 spotlights resorts where your crew can chase progress and a little independence: legit terrain parks, night skiing sessions, long cruisers to carve, and (when conditions + guide allow) a taste of trees—balanced with safe village loops, clear meet-up points, and English-speaking coaches. We’ve ranked for teen happiness per hour: parks that scale up, food courts and hangout hubs, easy transit between bases, and onsen to reset the legs. Think later laps, fewer hand-holds, and more “did-you-see-that?!” family moments. At a glance Top picks: Niseko United (parks, night skiing, buzzy village), Rusutsu (huge variety, trees, indoor backup), Hakuba 47/Goryu (legit parks + night). Great value for teens: Nozawa Onsen, Shiga Kogen (Ichinose/Yakebitaiyama), Furano, Appi Kogen. Freeride/steeper days: Lotte Arai, Kiroro (guided trees, deep snow). Tokyo-easy: Naeba (+Kagura) for long runs and night laps.