Sapporo Teine Ski Resort

What to know

Sapporo Teine (サッポロテイネ) is the largest of several medium-sized ski resorts on the outskirts of Sapporo. Located just 40 minutes from the city center, the resort offers a wide range of ski trails, from gentle, wide slopes to long, fast advanced courses. Two of its runs were used for ski events during the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics. The Olympic Torch still stands above the resort as a monument overlooking Sapporo and the Sea of Japan.

Sapporo Teine's diverse trails are spread across two zones, connected by a gondola and a six-kilometer-long trail. The upper Highland Zone reaches 1,000 meters above sea level and features intermediate to advanced courses, off-piste runs, and a snow park with jumps, boxes, and rails. The lower Olympia Zone has wider, less steep trails suitable for beginners, as well as a family park offering sledding and tubing.

Take one of the frequent JR trains between Sapporo and Teine stations (10–15 minutes, 360 yen one way). At Teine Station, transfer to a JR bus bound for Teine Highland and get off at the ski resort (15 minutes to the Olympia Zone or 30 minutes to the Highland Zone). Buses depart from the station's south exit in the mornings and from the ski resort in the afternoons, costing 1,000 yen one way. The entire trip is covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

Direct ski buses run between selected hotels in central Sapporo and Teine Ski Resort from early December to late March. The trip takes 50–100 minutes depending on the boarding location, and a round-trip ticket costs 10,500 yen, including a 7-hour lift ticket. Advance reservations are required.