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The best ski schools & backcountry guides in Sapporo.

Sapporo Ski Schools & Guides | Snow Explorers - SKI + SNOWBOARD + TRAVEL

Sapporo Ski Schools & Guides

Sapporo Ski Schools & Guides  | Snow Explorers - SKI + SNOWBOARD + TRAVEL

Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort

Snow Cruise Onze

Bankei Ski Area

Takino Snow World

Sapporo Teine Ski Resort

Mt Moiwa Ski Resort

Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido is home to Chitose International airport, the first port of call for voyaging snow explorers venturing into the Hokkaido snow country. There is lots to explore in the city itself with its mix of local culture and city life. Dining, shopping and accommodation options are easy to find and are linked by an efficient transport system and underground network centered around Sapporo station. The city is truly a gateway to some of the finest skiing in Japan and the world.

<p>Sapporo has accomodation options to suit all types of traveller and budget levels. Everything from luxurious 5 star hotels, business hotels, airbnbs, lodges to capsule hotels. In particular business hotels &amp; capsule hotels are minimal no fuss choices for skiers &amp; boarders who just want to spend all day at the slopes. Look for hotels conveniently located on the ski shuttle route and even have ski storage and tuning / waxing stations.</p>

Sapporo Tokyu REI Hotel

Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo

OMO3 Sapporo

Hotel Mystays Sapporo Aspen

Sapporo Excel Hotel Tokyu

Crowne Plaza ANA Sapporo

Mercure Sapporo

Hotel Mystays Premier Sapporo

New Otani Inn Sapporo

Century Royal Hotel

Royton Sapporo

SappoLodge Guesthouse & Bar

Ibis Styles Sapporo

Anne Guest House

Sapporo Prince Hotel

Hotel WBF Sapporo Chuo

Sapporo

Close to Sapporo city, Mt Moiwa is recommended for beginners & families. Skiers only at this resort.


Bankei is close to Sapporo city with a good mix of course for beginners and advanced skiers & snowboarders.


Bankei Ski Resort

<h2>Sapporo Ski Resorts</h2>
<p>From Sapporo, skiers and snowboarders have access to a wealth of superb ski areas all known for their excellent snow conditions. Just a short trip from the city center is Moiwayama, a &ldquo;ski only&rdquo; resort popular for night skiing. Also close by is Bankei Ski Resort, another local favorite, with excellent terrain and parks for freestyle skiers and snowboarders. Further afield there are Sapporo Teine and Sapporo Kokusai, larger ski areas with a range of slopes catering to all skill levels. Both resorts are also known to deliver that famous powder snow experience. Travellers frequent Sapporo as a transit point before heading to international resorts like Niseko United resorts and Rusutsu for some of the world's best powder skiing.</p>

<h2>Where to Buy &amp; Hire Ski Gear in Sapporo</h2>
<p>You are definitely spoilt for choice in Sapporo for ski &amp; snowboard gear. Here you will find flagship stores for international brands like Salomon and Burton, independent stores specialising in backcountry skiing and local surf / snowboard shops. Don&rsquo;t miss out on the factory outlets where you can score yourself a bargain.</p>

Burton Sapporo Flagship Store

Patagonia Outlet Sapporo

Bumps

Murasaki Sports Parco

<h2>Where to Stay in Sapporo</h2>
<p>The best thing about using Sapporo as a base, is the variety of accommodation options tailored to winter sports enthusiasts. There is something for every budget from upscale hotels with panoramic city views to budget-friendly hostels catering to ski vagabonds. Some hotels cater to skiers and snowboarders by offering ski to door access with resort liners and shuttle buses conveniently stopping at the front door and equipment storage which is very handy in Japan where rooms can be quite small.</p>

Locals love their Sapporo Miso Ramen which originated in their city. This dish is made by first frying the ingredients and miso with the broth resulting in a richer flavour. 

Sapporo Miso Ramen

Big bowls of rice topped with the freshest Hokkaido seafood. Choose from toppings like sashimi, crab, sea urchin and grilled prawns and savor the quality of Hokkaido’s seafood.  

Kaisendon

Great meal to have with friends especially in the chilly Winter months. Juicy slices of lamb and onions are cooked on a hotplate resembling a Mongol warriors helmet. Pick them off when done and wash down with beer.

Genghis Khan BBQ

Another delicious Sapporo invention. It bears no resemblance to other Japanese curries. A broth is added to the curry mix resulting in a lighter, drinkable soup which is topped with a variety of ingredients. Restaurants will let you choose your spice level so you can definitely warm yourself up.

Soup Curry

<h2>Sapporo Food</h2>
<p>Hokkaido is as much a foodies destination as it is a mecca for powder seekers, and you will find the best it has to offer right here in Sapporo. One of the things you have to do in Sapporo is to try the seafood. Local seafood like uni, scallops &amp; crab is possibly the freshest and tastiest you will find anywhere in the world. The seafood markets are good places to have sushi, sashimi or kaisendons (seafood bowls). Lookout also for nearby restaurants which are a cheaper less touristy alternative. Hokkaido is also famous for it&rsquo;s exceptional dairy products and in Sapporo you can try freshly baked cheese tarts, milk puddings and soft serves.</p>

Sapporo Kani Honke is instantly recognizable by the huge animated crab storefront display. This is where you will find Hokkaido crabs served in all kinds of ways from hotpots to sashimi. There is even an all you can eat option for crab lovers.

Sapporo Kani Honke

Kita No Gurume Tei is a restaurant in the Sapporo Central Market where you can order the best & freshest seafood.

Kita No Gurume Tei

The best place to try Sapporo’s miso ramen is Sapporo’s original ramen alley. The Ganso Yokocho in Susukino has 17 shops of by the best ramen masters in Hokkaido.

Ganso Sapporo Ramen Yokocho

<h2>Sapporo Restaurants</h2>
<p>Sapporo has a diverse and dynamic restaurant scene, offering a wide range of dining from cozy izakayas and ramen stalls, &nbsp;to upscale restaurants offering exquisite kaiseki dinners and seafood delicacies. Don&rsquo;t miss the Nijo Market and Sapporo Central Wholesale Market where you can enjoy freshest Hokkaido seafood. &nbsp;Susukino district has numerous fine dining establishments and Sapporo's vibrant night scene with an array of wine, whisky bars and beer houses&nbsp;</p>

Every year, during the first week of February, Japan’s largest snow festival takes place in 3 locations in Sapporo.

Sapporo Snow Festival

A free event in Winter, with light installations and exhibits set up in the city to enhance the ambience and atmosphere.

Sapporo White Illumination

Built in 1869, this is Hokkaido’s most famous shopping arcade with over 200 shops ranging from restaurants, drug stores, 100 yen shops and karaoke bars . Lots to look at even if you are not shopping.

Tanuki Koji

Huge discount shop that sells everything from food and alcohol to fashion and electronics. A total assault on the senses once you walk in. The costume section is a must see.

Mega DonQuijote

Next to Tanuki Koji, the Nijo Seafood Market is a feast for the eyes and stomachs with a variety of seafood on display that can be cooked to order.

Nijo Market

<h2>Things to do in Sapporo</h2>
<p>Sapporo has lots of activities to keep you entertained on your lay days and down time. During Winter, the city is lit up with lights and installations as part of the &ldquo;Sapporo White Illumination&rdquo; event. The Sapporo Snow Festival is a major event which draws in tourists from all over. There are colossal snow sculptures, live performances, ice sculpture competitions, family fun activities and street food stalls. Shoppers and sight-seers will enjoy Tanuki Koji - the covered shopping street home to over 200 shops, restaurants and bars. Keep out of the cold at Pole Town and Aurora Town - the bustling underground shopping malls connected to Sapporo station.</p>

<p>Sapporo has the most choice for ski and snowboard shops in Hokkaido. You will easily find the International and domestic brands here and the range is usually very good. If you are transiting in the city you should be able to pick up the gear you need before moving on to the mountains. If you tend to run towards larger sizing you might want to contact the shops to check on availability.</p>