TEXT BYChris Chan

HOKKAIDO’S SKI REGIONSHokkaido’s most popular international resorts can be brokendown into a number of regions, each with a slightly differentcharacter but all offering great skiing and snowboarding.

SAPPORO

New ChitoseAirport

Kiroro

SKIING INHOKKAIDO

Tomamu

Central HokkaidoEast from the airport will bring you the centralHokkaido region led by Tomamu and Furano.Slightly colder temperatures mean that whilecentral Hokkaido might not get as much snowas further west, generally the snow is fraction-ally lighter.

Furano is a good-sized regional city, with aresort rising from its edge, while Tomamu is apurpose-built resort. With its wide range offacilities and open-minded approach to off-piste skiing, Tomamu makes a great destina-tion, surrounded by the stunning mountainscenery of Central Hokkaido.

Teine SAPPORO

New ChitoseAirport

Teine

Around SapporoClose to the capital city of Sapporo, Kirorooffers skiing on a par to Niseko, but withoutthe crowds. Another benefit of the near-citylocation is that day trips – or even half daytrips – down to Sapporo to visit shops or gosightseeing are much easier from here.

Another popular resort is Teine, located withinSapporo city itself. Staying in downtown Sap-poro and skiing Teine in the mornings beforehitting the sights, shops, restaurants, and barsof Sapporo and Susukino entertainment districtprovides a unique combination of skiing andbig city atmosphere.

RusutsuNiseko

HOKKAIDO’S SKI REGIONSHokkaido’s most popular international resorts can be brokendown into a number of regions, each with a slightly differentcharacter but all offering great skiing and snowboarding.

SAPPORO

New ChitoseAirport

Teine

Around SapporoClose to the capital city of Sapporo, Kirorooffers skiing on a par to Niseko, but withoutthe crowds. Another benefit of the near-citylocation is that day trips – or even half daytrips – down to Sapporo to visit shops or gosightseeing are much easier from here.

Another popular resort is Teine, located withinSapporo city itself. Staying in downtown Sap-poro and skiing Teine in the mornings beforehitting the sights, shops, restaurants, and barsof Sapporo and Susukino entertainment districtprovides a unique combination of skiing andbig city atmosphere.

Niseko

Southern HokkaidoNiseko and Rusutsu dominate the southernregion of the island. Rusutsu is a year-roundresort – with water and theme parks out ofseason – while Niseko is the best knownJapanese resort internationally.

Niseko’s international infrastructure, diversityand size make it an obvious choice for first-timers to Japan, offering accommodationand dining at a range of budgets. It hasbecome a hub for many travellers who basethemselves in Niseko and can also takeday trips to nearby resorts such as Kiroroand Rusutsu.

Furano

For Japan, a country with over 100 yearsof skiing history and which has hostedtwo winter Olympics, Hokkaido has alwaysbeen the Holy Grail of skiing.

Mountains are never far away in Hokkaido,and it is particularly known for its consist-ent, deep dry snow (around 15m per sea-son – more than almost anywhere else onearth) that is lighter and fluffier as well.Even visiting professionals are often

stunned by the abundance of snow.

Newer skiers will find the soft dry snowgreat to learn in – it simply doesn’t hurtto fall over – and the dry powder keepsskiers from getting wet and cold.

Beyond the skiing, the warm, welcomingpeople and a unique culture make Hokkai-do a stand-out destination compared toother resorts around the world.

© Furano Tourism Association/© JNTO

© Kiroro Snow World© JNTO

Standing in central Hokkaido on the edgeof Japan's largest national park (Daisetsuzan),Furano is a town of some 25,000 people.

The ski hill itself is divided into two sections:the Furano area and the Kitanomine area.While good for beginners and intermediates,the Furano area won't hold more advancedskiers attention for too long. Kitanomine isbetter, with some very good terrain visiblefrom the Gondola, though accessibility is

not so clear cut. Furano gets good snow,and has some good terrain, but managementhas long opposed all off-piste access.

There are lots of dining and accommodationoptions in Furano, ranging from large hotelslike the huge New Prince Hotel Furano, toboutique options like the chic Natulux hotel(in town away from the lifts) to self-containedapartments like Fuyuri (near the KitanomineGondola). While Furano does have lots of

good restaurants and bars scattered through-out the town, it's not exactly known for itsaprès ski scene.

Furano is a good alternative for those wantinga Japanese experience without the interna-tional crowds. Adventurous skiers use Furanoas a staging point for serious backcountrytours into Daisetsuzan, or hitting the nearbyresort of Tomamu on a multi-resort trip.

Avid skiers will be happy with the very drysnow here, including its cat- and heli-skioptions, with very few people in the vicinity.However, Tomamu offers what may well beJapan's best family-focused ski destination;highlights of which include special familysuites and rooms in plush digs and a widerange of kid-focused activities – both indoorand out. There's the VIZ indoor wave pooland the Ice Village for relaxation off the snow.

They do have a more open minded off-pistepolicy than many Japanese resorts, and ifpark and pipe are your thing they're prettysolid as well. All these features make Tomamuattractive for anyone, but for families it maywell rank as first among equals.

When the snows melt and the green returns,the most memorable scene is the unkai, orSea of Clouds. Riding a special early morninglift to the highest point, you can look downon the sea of clouds as it flows over thepeaks and valleys spread out before you.

CENTRAL HOKKAIDOHOKKAIDO SKI REGION:

TOMAMU: FAMILY-FRIENDLY

FURANO: AWAY FROM IT ALL

Mt. Tokachidake © Furano Tourism Association/© JNTO

© Furano Tourism Association/© JNTO

© Tomamu Resort

© Ken Muto

Just a short hop from Sapporo and 20 min-utes from popular Otaru city stands Kiroro.Offering a wide selection of accommodationand facilities, along with great snow andprecious few tourists, Kiroro is something ofa hidden treasure. Those that do find theirway to Kiroro will find at least as much snowas big brother Niseko – and the locals allswear it gets more – and for the most partit will be all yours.

There are lots of activities at Kiroro, includingsnowmobiling and sledding, swimming poolsand a range of onsen and day spa packages.Great facilities, 2 large hotels, onsens andmore than 20 restaurants will keep you happyoff the slopes as well, and you can takeadvantage of regular services down the hillto seaside Otaru, with its different sightseeingand dining options.

Kiroro is connected via coach to Otaru (20mins), Niseko (45 mins) and Sapporo (60mins), making it a great central base if youlike having the choice of both big city attrac-tions and amazing skiing.

On a clear day, standing at the top of Teineski resort looking out over Sapporo citybeneath you and the Sea of Japan behind, itis an amazing view, making it one of the besturban skiing destinations in the world. Noother large city in the world can boast a resortthat offers the quality of both snowfall andterrain found here. It’s no surprise that Teinehosted Asia’s first winter Olympics in 1972.

Teine is split into 2 separate sections – linkedonly recently with the merging of the lower“Olympia” section with the upper “Highland”to create a single resort. Good beginner andintermediate slopes can be found at both ofthe resort bases, but for those looking formore of a challenge run, head up to theSummit Express Quad in the Highland Sectionand look to your right as you're going up: lotsof terrain and features (some very sizeable),and lots of snow.

Not many other ski resorts boast theconvenience that Teine offers – and nowherecombines it with Teine's snow, which has boththe powder and the variety of courses to keepanyone entertained in between Sapporosightseeing and bar-hopping.

There’s no on-snow accommodation here,but that’s not an issue. The resort’s citylocation means you can stay in a downtownSapporo hotel, jump on a coach straight upto the hill in 40 minutes for a few good runs,and back to Sapporo to clean up before hittingthe city's myriad attractions.

For its convenience, Teine appeals to casualskiers who can ski and be near the big city,while dedicated skiers can tie it together withanother resort, such as Kiroro or Niseko, tosee a little more of the Japanese lifestyle andculture during their trip.

AROUND SAPPOROHOKKAIDO SKI REGION:

KIRORO: ALL-IN-ONE

TEINE: CITY-SIDE SKIING

© Kiroro Snow World

© Kiroro Snow World

© JNTO / Teine Resort

© Ja-Pow

As Japan’s most international resort, Nisekohas lots to offer apart from the legendarysnow. English is very widely spoken, so atrip to Niseko is simply easier than a tripelsewhere. Credit cards are more widelyaccepted here than elsewhere, and there isalso a great selection of off-snow activitiesto keep non-skiers occupied.

There is also a wider variety of food andlodgings than any other Japanese resort,from affordable to luxurious.

For serious skiers and snowboarders, Nisekois famous for the best access to powder ofany Japanese resort. And as it has activelypursued an international clientele for longerthan most other resorts, Niseko also has abetter developed and more rounded set ofoff-snow activities.

Niseko’s greatest asset is its snow, and whilelots of Hokkaido resorts have similar condi-tions, the difference here is the proactiveout-of-bounds policy which makes this thebest lift-accessed powder destination in theworld. A system of gates helps manageaccess to backcountry skiing at a range oflevels; though everyone stepping throughthe gates should already be a proficient skieror boarder.

For more advanced skiers, Niseko has morethan enough for even seasoned touring pro-fessionals, and each season many of theworld’s best stop off here to film for ski &snowboard movies. But that’s not to say thatbeginners aren’t catered for, as Niseko’s skischools employ English-speaking instructorsfrom around the world, adding to the inter-national experience.

Each of Niseko’s 4 interconnected resorts(all skiable on the same “Niseko United” liftticket) is slightly different in feel, so be sureyou experience them all. Just as the 4 areasare interlinked at the top, they are also con-nected via free shuttles around the base.

SOUTHERN HOKKAIDO

GETTING THERE AND AROUNDHokkaido’s major international gateway, New Chitose Airport,is serviced by direct international flights from Hong Kong, Taiwan,Korea and China (and seasonally from Singapore), as well asdozens of domestic connections daily. Most travellers choosea direct bus transfer from the airport to their resort as they arefast, easy and cost-effective. Buses can also be booked online,and link not only the airport with the various resorts but alsoconnect many resorts together.

Just a short coach ride fromNiseko stands Rusutsu whichclaims to being Hokkaido'sbiggest ski resort (although Nisekois four resorts combined).

Much of Rusutsu is aimed atbeginners and intermediates, butthere are some great powder andtree runs as well for moreadvanced skiers and boarders.Being only 45 minutes away fromNiseko means you can easily baseyourself at one of these tworesorts and ski the other for achange of pace.

SOUTHERN HOKKAIDOHOKKAIDO SKI REGION:

NISEKO: APRÉS SKI HAVEN

Hanazono: for snow enthusiastsThough it has no base 'village' (with furtherdevelopments slated for 2012), it boasts anew Day Centre with a ski school, café &shop. The area is known for great powder,park & pipe options for serious skiers &boarders, plus loads of non-skiing activities.

Hirafu: great aprés ski sceneThis sprawling ski village has the best aprèsski scene, with literally hundreds of restau-rants and bars and a huge range of accom-modation at the base of the largest ski areaof the four. It can get crowded at peak sea-son, but the new high speed, 8-person Gon-dola will get you up the hill quickly.

Niseko Village: luxury self-contained resortWith a focus on high-end hotel-styleaccommodation, this is a great destinationfor a more pampered visit. Onsens, dayspas, bars and dining options abound,providing a very convenient resort feel.

Annupuri: laid-back Japanese atmosphereWith a traditional Japanese feel, but offeringgreat snow and terrain to match, Annupuriis a great option for those really wanting toget away from it all. You’ll have a more laid-back holiday here as you sample the onsensand the cosy restaurants and bars that dotthe village.

NISEKO’S RESORTSThe 4 resorts are spread around one half of a roughly conical mountain, arranged fromnorth to south as follows:

Niseko Annupuri Resort © JNTO

© JNTO

© Niseko Village

Niseko Annupuri Resort © JNTO

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RUSUTSU: BEGINNER-FRIENDLY

Green Leaf Resort © Niseko Village