Fu’s

Think three doubles, quick cycles, and a fall-line that rides better than the stats look when it’s nuking. The Dynamic line gets legitimately steep up top before softening into leg-saving fall-line, and there’s a “practice-mogul” culture that builds your knees in a hurry. The snow quality is classic Sapporo — not as cold and bottomless as Kiroro or Kokusai at elevation, but reliably soft, especially on storm nights. Off the sides you’ll find tight birch pockets and cutbacks; they’re micro-shots, not tree zones, and boundaries are roped, so treat it as a groomer mountain with tasty seasoning rather than a freeride venue.

If you’re posted in Sapporo and itching to ride whenever the sky turns on, Fu’s is your friend. Intermediates who love carving clean arcs will eat this place up. Advanced riders looking for a tune-up day or night-storm harvests will be smiling — just calibrate expectations on vertical and off-piste scope. If you want big terrain, gates, or long tree lines, you’ll be happier day-tripping to Kokusai, Teine, or Kiroro and keeping Fu’s as your “it’s snowing and I’ve got two hours free” ace.

There’s no lodging at the hill, which is fine because Sapporo has options for every budget and mood. In Susukino and Odori you’ll find a swarm of business hotels and serviced apartments that are clean, simple, and perfect for gear-and-go skiing. Prices are friendly compared with resort towns, and you can walk to ramen, soup curry, and bars.

If you want the onsen life, base in Jozankei — the hot spring valley just up Route 230. Traditional ryokan and modern spa hotels there bring the full Hokkaido winter experience: outdoor baths under steam, kaiseki dinners, and sleepy riverside walks. It’s an easy drive or bus back to the city and a short hop to Fu’s, Kokusai, and Teine, so you can mix powder and hot springs without changing beds.

Traveling with a crew? Apartments around Nakajima Park or Tanukikoji are clutch — kitchen for big breakfasts, coin-laundry for wet gloves, and quick subway access to Makomanai for the Fu’s shuttle. You’re playing city-ski chess here: keep your bed cheap and your turns plentiful.

On-hill, the cafeteria covers the essentials — curry rice, ramen, and crepes that always taste better when it’s dumping outside. After dark, you’re in one of Japan’s great food cities. Slurp at a late-night miso ramen counter, chase it with soup curry, then trade beanies for beergaritas in Susukino. Après at Fu’s is really “city après” — that means endless options and no stagger home in ski boots.

Fly into New Chitose (CTS), hop the JR or rapid bus into Sapporo, and ride the Namboku subway line to Makomanai. From there, Fu’s runs a free shuttle most days in season. If you’re driving, it’s a straightforward run from central Sapporo along Route 230, with a short, steeper access road near the end — winter tires are mandatory and a light foot helps when it’s slick. Parking is easy, and you can be on snow from downtown in roughly 40 minutes.

• Lift hours: Typically 09:00 – 16:00 for day tickets; night skiing to 21:00 with last chair around 20:45.
• Tickets & deposit: Lift media is an IC card; expect a refundable deposit at purchase.
• Boundaries: Treat ropes as hard lines. There’s almost no sanctioned off-piste, and ducking will get you a firm word — keep it on-piste or keep it discreet and safe within the marked areas.
• Weather & snow: City elevation means quick refresh during storms and quicker set-up during dry spells. Night sessions are gold when temps dip.
• Language: English is limited; simple phrases and phone-translator etiquette go a long way.
• Unique extra: A luge practice course sits beside the ski area — yes, you can book a taster session if you want to try rocketing down ice on a sled.
• Nearby: Sapporo Teine for sea-view steeps, Sapporo Kokusai for deeper snow and higher elevation, Kiroro for storm-day trees.