Best Hokkaido Ski Resorts - Powderhounds
Here are our awards for the best ski resorts in Hokkaido as rated by Powderhounds.com. Everyone has different priorities when it comes to a Hokkaido snow trip so we’ve provided our top picks by terrain by ability levels and other categories such as family friendliness and nightlife, which are also outlined in detail on our
Japan ski resort ratings. You can also check out the best Hokkaido ski resorts as
rated by the readers of Powderhounds.com.
Best Overall Hokkaido Ski Resorts
- Niseko
- Furano
- Rusutsu
Other top rated ski resorts in Hokkaido are Tomamu, Kiroro and Sahoro.
Top Hokkaido Ski Areas for Powder Hounds
Based on advanced/expert terrain + snow quality & quantity
+ lack of people riding off-piste
- Kurodake
- Piyashiri
- Otaru Tenguyama
Tenguyama like a few other little powder gems are only ideal when temps are low. Other top rated Hokkaido ski areas for powder skiing and riding are Furano, Sahoro, Tomamu and Asahidake. Keep in mind that to get the most out of some of these Hokkaido ski areas, you’ll need to head into the sidecountry as well as the backcountry and therefore require expert riding, route-finding and backcountry skills (and/or a guide).
Powderhounds.com Awards for the Best Skiing in Hokkaido
Skiing and Snowboarding
- Best overall terrain: Niseko, Sapporo Teine, Furano
- Best beginner terrain: Niseko Village, Sahoro, Sapporo Teine
- Intermediate terrain: Niseko, Furano
- Advanced piste terrain: Furano, Sapporo Teine, Niseko
- Off-piste terrain: Rusutsu, Niseko, Kurodake
- Uncrowded slopes: Piyashiri, Niyama Kogen, Otaru Tenguyama
- Best expert terrain: Kurodake, Sapporo Teine
- Best slackcountry (lift accessed backcountry): Niseko, Asahidake
- Best backcountry (may be partly lift assisted): Kurodake, Tokachidake
- Best tree skiing Hokkaido: Rusutsu, Niseko, Kurodake
- Best lift infrastructure: Rusutsu, Kiroro
- Best terrain park: Niseko
Hokkaido Snow
Lots of Hokkaido ski resorts score full marks for the snow quality/quantity and likelihood of scoring fresh tracks. See the Japanese ski resort ratings for more information.
Other Awards for the Best Hokkaido Ski Resorts
- Hokkaido ski areas with very few gaijin: Yubari, Hakodate Nanae, Piyashiri
- Top resorts that cater to international guests: Niseko, Furano, Kiroro
- Best family resort / top Hokkaido ski resort for kids: Tomamu, Sahoro, Niseko, Kiroro, Rusutsu, Furano
- Best nightlife: Niseko Hirafu, Sapporo, Asahikawa
- Best restaurants/dining: Niseko, Furano, Kiroro
- Best value for money destination ski resort: Furano