Sapporo Teine Ski Resort

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Sapporo Teine Ski Resort
Sapporo Teine Ski Resort
Sapporo Teine Sidecountry
Sapporo Teine Sidecountry
Mid-mountain Sapporo Teine
Mid-mountain Sapporo Teine
A modern gondola connects the 2 areas
A modern gondola connects the 2 areas
A fast quad lift gets you to most of the goods
A fast quad lift gets you to most of the goods
Sapporo Teine Hokkaido
Sapporo Teine Hokkaido
Teine Sidecountry
Teine Sidecountry
Teine Olympia is good for beginners
Teine Olympia is good for beginners
Sapporo Teine Japan
Sapporo Teine Japan
Sapporo Teine
Sapporo Teine
Sapporo Teine Olympia
Sapporo Teine Olympia
Sapporo Teine Ski Resort
Sapporo Teine Ski Resort
Close to the coast
Close to the coast
Sapporo Highland
Sapporo Highland
Dramatic views from the ski area
Dramatic views from the ski area
Sapporo Teine Ski Resort
Sapporo Teine Ski Resort
Sapporo Teine Japan
Sapporo Teine Japan
Powder Skiing Teine
Powder Skiing Teine
Views to the coast
Views to the coast
Sapporo Teine is not shy on pitch
Sapporo Teine is not shy on pitch

Sapporo Teine Ski Resort

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Sapporo Teine

Sapporo Teine3.5/510
Sapporo Teine3.5 out of 5 based on 10 reviews
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Sapporo Teine Ski Resort

Sapporo Teine is a great little ski resort located close to Sapporo. It is frequented by beginners yet it also caters really well to day-tripping powder hounds who want powder lines that are steep, deep and cheap.

Sapporo Teine is made up of two small areas, Olympia and Highland. Sapporo Teine Olympia was the site of the bobsled competition for the 1972 Sapporo Olympic Games and it still has various reminders of a bygone era. The Teine Olympia ski area offers delightfully mellow slopes for beginners as well as night skiing.

Further up the mountain is Sapporo Teine Highland. At 1,000 metres above sea level, the ski area offers spectacular views of Sapporo and the ocean, and whilst standing at the top of one of the black runs you may suddenly develop vertigo. The Highland Zone features some of the steepest in-bounds terrain in Japan.

Pros and Cons of Sapporo Teine

Pros
  • Sapporo Teine has some steep off-piste and slackcountry terrain (a rarity in Hokkaido), so it should be on the Hokkaido bucket list for any powder hound.
  • The slopes are north facing so the Hokkaido powder remains pristine, and the pow is commonly bottomless.
  • The locals know about Sapporo Teine, but many of the international visitors that invade Niseko are oblivious. It’s not a secret powder hound ski area, but it doesn’t get tracked out as quickly as some of the big name destination resorts.
  • The views from the top are very nice.
Con
  • Powder hounds will only be interested in the Highland zone of the ski resort which is rather small.
Pro or Con Depending On Your Perspective  
  • There is no on-mountain accommodation but its proximity to the vibrant city of Sapporo is a plus. The sidecountry tree skiing and bowls are very tasty, but to get to the fresh it may require significant traversing to get in and out.

Sapporo Teine Ski and Snowboard Terrain

Sapporo Teine is incredibly well suited to novices and upper end beginners. On the contrary, intermediates are not well catered for at Teine. Like many Japanese ski resorts, there are only a handful of on-piste advanced runs, but these are wonderfully steep.

The real excitement for advanced and expert riders can be found in the off-piste and side-country areas where you can revel in the awesome Hokkaido powder. The vertical drop is only short, but the ride is very sweet.

The Teine Highland cable car that was built for the 1972 Winter Olympic Games was an institution of Sapporo Teine. It’s unfortunately been put out to pasture (but sort of fortunately considering it looks like it was built in the early 60s not the 70s!). Sapporo Teine has a super modern gondola that connects the two ski areas and a fast hooded quad that services the full vertical of Highland. At the other end of the spectrum are some pre-historic double chairs that should also be put out to pasture.

Where is Sapporo Teine?

Sapporo Teine is located 20km northwest of the city of Sapporo in the Hokkaido Prefecture of Japan, a drive that takes about 40-45 minutes. If you don’t have your own wheels or on a guided tour, there are a few transport options to get there. You can take a train and bus combination, or catch a taxi. 

Sapporo Teine Accommodation

Sapporo Teine doesn’t have on-mountain accommodation. You could stay at one of the many Sapporo hotels to enjoy the buzz of this big city. For convenience, you may want to choose a hotel near the major subway stations such as Odori, Susukino or Sapporo.

Otherwise you can stay in the quaint town of Otaru (37km away). If you have a car you could stay at the Grand Park Otaru, a lovely hotel offering great views of the sea and the mountains. Alternatively the Dormy Inn Hotel is really close to the Otaru train station. You can catch a train to Teine station and then a bus to the ski area.

Ski Resort Facilities

The base areas of both Highland and Olympia have well developed facilities that include cafeterias and lockers. Equipment rental is readily available and the rental outlets have standard and performance skis and snowboards. Ski or snowboard lessons in English can be provided in a private format.

Sapporo Teine is reasonably well set up for families. Childcare is available for kids aged 1-6, and there is a kids’ park where little tackers can go tubing or sledding (or sledging as the Japanese sometimes call it!).
Tours That May Include Teine

Safari (Road Trip) Tours

Hokkaido Storm Chaser
GUIDED STORM CHASING SAFARI
7 Days | 6 Nights | 6 Ski Areas
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
Chase the storms and access the deepest and best quality snow conditions on the day in the Otaru area and Central Hokkaido's world famous deep dry powder.
Price p/p Displayed price may cary slightly due to exchange rates fluctuations
Base/invoice currency is JPY
Price includes 13% tax.
Base/invoice currency is JPY
Price includes 13% tax.
USD 3,075
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Hokkaido Backcountry
GUIDED BACKCOUNTRY TOUR
7 Nights | 8 Days
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Jump on the Hokkaido Backcountry Powder Quest tour & experience the magical powder wonderland Hokkaido is famous for along with its rich culture & incredible cuisine. Join as a solo, couple or small group; max 6 guests per tour & guaranteed departures.
Price p/p Price per person, based on 2025 group tour
USD 4,599
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Japow Freedom Tour
HOKKAIDO CAMPER VAN TOUR
8 Nights | 7 Days Guiding
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Explore Hokkaido in a camper van with the support of your guide & get the maximum exponent of freedom to be in the right place at the right time. The itinerary is completely flexible depending on snow forecasts and your guide can show you the best Japow spots in lift-assisted freeriding zones
Price p/p Based on a group tour for 2025 with a group of 4 people
USD 3,159
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See all Safari (Road Trip) tours that visit Sapporo Teine here

Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area Tours

Otaru & Niseko Powder Chaser
HOSTED POWDER CHASING TOUR
7 Nights | 6 Days Chasing Powder
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
If you are on a budget but still want to ride all of the best spots around Niseko & Otaru then this package/tour is for you! Join as a solo traveller or small group or book the entire 5 spots!
Price p/p Price is per person based on a group of 2-5.
Base currency is Japanese Yen/invoice currency is AUD
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 2,171
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Niseko Guiding
GUIDING IN/FROM NISEKO or OTARU
For PRIVATE GROUPS ONLY of up to 5 guests
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
If you are in Niseko or Otaru with a group, a day or multiple days of guiding at Niseko or nearby ski areas will make sure you get to the powder stashes (off-piste, sidecountry or backcountry). PRIVATE GROUPS ONLY of up to 5 guests (i.e. you cannot join a group).
Price p/p From price based on a PER PERSON rate per day for PRIVATE group of 5 in peak season. Full price is 130,000 yen for group in peak season for 24/25.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY in taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 174
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BDT Lift Assisted Backcountry Tours
LIFT ASSISTED BACKOUNTRY TOURS
Niseko Area | PRIVATE GROUPS ONLY
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Join Black Diamond Tours for a day or more of guided powder hunting in Niseko or one of the nearby resort or backcountry areas with your own PRIVATE GROUP. Areas include Niseko backbowls, Rusutsu, Kiroro, Teine & Kokusai. Primarily lift accessed so minimal hiking.
Price p/p From price based on 1 day tour per person - 5 people in private group (lift tickets not included) for 24/25 season exclusive of tax.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY ex taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 161
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See all Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area tours that visit Sapporo Teine here

Backcountry Skiing Tours

Backcountry Touring Day Trips
GUIDED BACKCOUNTRY DAY TOURS
Niseko & Surrounding Areas | Private Groups Only
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Ideal if you are staying in NISEKO and are looking for a guided BACKCOUNTRY day in or around Niseko. These day tours are specifically for those who are happy to earn their turns and are for private groups of 1 - 5 guests (but 6 - 7 is also possible with a tail guide).
Price p/p From price based on PER PERSON for a PRIVATE GROUP of 5 guests in main season.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 194
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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 3,008
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Lift Access Day Tours
GUIDED LIFT ACCESS DAY TOURS
Niseko & Nearby Areas | Private Groups Only
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
If you are staying in NISEKO and are looking for a guided day at Niseko or a RESORT NEARBY this could be the trip for you. This tour aims to use the lifts where possible to minimise hiking. These tours are ideally for private groups of 1 - 5 guests or up to 6-7 can be accommodated with a tail guide.
Price p/p From price based on a PRIVATE GROUP of 5 guests, PER PERSON in shoulder season for 24/25 season.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 194
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See all Backcountry Skiing tours that visit Sapporo Teine here
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