Pippu Ski Resort

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Pippu Hokkaido
Pippu Hokkaido
Deep Powder Course Pippu
Deep Powder Course Pippu
Easy to find fresh tracks
Easy to find fresh tracks
Top chair lift at Pippu Hokkaido
Top chair lift at Pippu Hokkaido
Central Hokkaido Powder
Central Hokkaido Powder
The number of operational chairs has diminished
The number of operational chairs has diminished
Pippu Ski Resort Japan
Pippu Ski Resort Japan
Powder skiing Pippu Japan
Powder skiing Pippu Japan
Rather uncrowded at Pippu
Rather uncrowded at Pippu
Fresh powder galore
Fresh powder galore
Pippu Ski Resort
Pippu Ski Resort
Pippu powder
Pippu powder

Pippu Ski Resort

Readers Ratings

Pippu

Pippu3.5/52
Pippu3.5 out of 5 based on 2 reviews
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  • Would Revisit
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Pippu Ski Resort

Pippu is a family oriented ski resort near Asahikawa in Hokkaido, yet behind the façade of the family fun is powder hound fun! On a powder day, the Pippu Ski Resort is nirvana for powder hounds where it can feel like you have your own private ski resort. If you’ve charged it big at Kurodake or Asahidake the day previously, Pippu is perfect to recover from your powder hangover. Or if it’s a brutal weather day and the ropeways at Asahidake and Kurodake are closed, Pippu is an ideal choice for storm riding.

Pros and Cons of Pippu Japan

Pros
  • The lift tickets at the Pippu Ski Resort are super cheap and if you want to save even more yen, there are 4 hour tickets on offer which might be enough to charge at the trees.
  • Generally the Pippu ski resort has just a handful of people there, unless the school kids are visiting, or the defence force is doing some training (god knows what exactly they’re training for with those ridiculously old white skis on!).
  • Pippu is growing in popularity a little with tour groups, but there are still plenty of days where you’re unlikely to see many gaijin there stealing your fresh powder.
  • Pippu has some nice mellow off-piste skiing and easy to navigate sidecountry.
Cons
  • Pippu Hokkaido is a small ski resort and it’s unlikely to capture your attention for more than a day.

Pro or Con

  • It’s a low elevation ski area and it doesn’t necessarily get the same snow quality and quantity as the high profile Hokkaido ski resorts. The aspect is mostly SW facing but in the height of winter the temperatures are usually really cold so the sun doesn’t spoil the snow too much.

Pippu Ski and Snowboard Terrain

The local tourist organisation says that “this ski ground is a thrilling experience for all skiers from beginners to seasoned experts”. It’s fun on a deep powder day, but otherwise Pippu is overstating this little ski hill that has only 9 runs (courses), 330 metres of vertical (250-550m), and 3 lifts plus a small ropetow near the base. The yellow single chair is no longer in operation.

The official trail stats are 30% beginner, 50% intermediate and 20% advanced, but it is doubtful that international skiers and snowboarders would bother visiting Pippu Ski Resort to just ride on-piste. The real “thrill” is the off-piste and sidecountry, and route-finding is particularly easy so Pippu is well suited to powder hounds who are still learning the ropes. 

Where is Pippu Hokkaido?

Pippu Ski Area isn’t located on nearby Mt Pippu, but it is situated just north of the little town of Pippu in the Kamikawa District. It’s located just off the Hokkaido Expressway and Asahikawa-Monbetsu Expressway and the phone number for GPS navigation is 0166-85-3056.

Pippu is situated in Central Hokkaido 26km northeast of Asahikawa (35 minute drive), 66km northwest of Asahidake, and 51km northwest of Kurodake in Sounkyo.

If you don’t have a rental car or are not on a multi-day tour, it is possible to get to Pippu via public transport. There are about 5 buses per day between Asahikawa station and Pippu (check with Asahikawa tourism for the latest timetables) but the schedule is usually such that you won’t arrive in time for first lifts. The alternative is to catch the train to Pippu train station from where there are 3 buses per day to the ski area.

[AdListings collection="Japan" category="Pippu" subcategory="Activities Ski Tours"]

Pippu Accommodation

There are a few lodgings near the base of the ski area, one of which looks like it’s barely fit for the school kids to stay in!

Anya is a 1 bedroom self-contained chalet just across the road from the slopes, which sleeps up to 6 guests.

Yuyu Pippu is a reasonable hotel that is located adjacent to the ski area, and has western rooms with private bathroom, as well as Japanese style rooms and suites. The hotel also has a great onsen that day trippers can use.

Pippu Accommodation Listings 

Most people visiting Pippu stay in Asahikawa where they have the flexibility to visit other nearby ski areas, and enjoy the proliferation of restaurants and bars. Asahikawa hotels tend to provide very good value for money.

Asahikawa Hotel Listings

Ski Resort Facilities

There are two base areas at Pippu separated by a car park. One base is targeted towards beginners and the school kids that turn up in their droves, whilst the refurbished day lodge is more for intermediates and above. The latter has a well set-up cafeteria and food that is incredibly cheap.

Other Pippu ski resort amenities are basic and include an equipment rental shop and Japanese ski school.
Tours That May Include Pippu

Safari (Road Trip) Tours

Hokkaido Explorer Tour
FULLY GUIDED & HOSTED TOUR
12 Nights - 10 Ski Areas - 10 Days Skiing/Riding
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Chase the best conditions and snowfall in the side country at Hokkaido's best ski areas. Based in the city of Asahikawa, then Furano, Otaru & Niseko.
Price p/p From price based on twin/double-share option per person for last group tour for 2024-25 season.
Base/invoice currency is in Japanese yen inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 4,318
View Details
 
High Earnings
BACKCOUNTRY POWDER CHASING
8 Nights | 7 Guided Days
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Enter the powder room! Visit some of Hokkaido's most remote locations and best backcountry zones. This trip has a backcountry touring focus on the iconic peaks such as Mt Yotei, Asahidake, Tokachidake & Kurodake.
Price p/p From price based on twin/triple-share 2024-25 season.
Price per person for a group of 5 with 1 guide for 9 day package. Base/invoice currency is in JPY inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 3,053
View Details
 
Hokkaido Indy Trip
HOSTED (UNGUIDED) SAFARI - HOKKAIDO
10 Days | 9 Nights | 6 Ski Areas
Ability: Intermediate to Expert
Venture away from the masses on this 10 day hosted (unguided) powder trip in Central Hokkaido. This package takes care of all of the logistics including accommodation, most meals & private ground transport and more..
Price p/p Price per person in Japanese yen based on 10 night tour for 2025 (undiscounted price).
USD 3,346
View Details
 
See all Safari (Road Trip) tours that visit Pippu here

Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area Tours

Central Hokkaido Tour
FULLY GUIDED & HOSTED TOUR
10 Nights | 8 Days Skiing/Riding
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Avoid the crowds and revel in the renowned high quality Central Hokkaido powder at Furano, Asahidake, Kamui Links, and hidden gems such as Pippu, Sahoro and Tomamu. Mostly lift accessed powder hunting, plus the option to do a little hiking to get more goods.
Price p/p From price based on twin/double-share group option for late season 2025 tours per person.
Base/invoice currency is in Japanese yen inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 3,366
View Details
 
Furano Area Guiding
CENTRAL HOKKAIDO GUIDED TOURS
For private groups of up to 5
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Off-piste, sidecountry & backcountry guiding for PRIVATE GROUPS for Furano & other Central Hokkaido areas. Day guiding or book 3 days with a 4 day window or 5 days within a 7 day window.
Price p/p
USD 122
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Central Hokkaido Guiding
GUIDED TRIPS AT/FROM FURANO
PRIVATE GROUPS of up to 5 guests
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
If you are in Furano with a group and want fresh tracks, head out with a Furano ski guide (or snowboard guide) at Furano or at one of the nearby ski areas or go backcountry touring with a guide. PRIVATE GROUPS ONLY of up to 6 guests i.e. you cannot join a group.
Price p/p From price based on PER PERSON rate for PRIVATE GROUP of 5 in peak season for 2025. Full rate is 130,000 yen for group of up to 5.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY in taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 177
View Details
 
See all Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area tours that visit Pippu here
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