Sapporo Teine

76 hectares split between two zones - Highland's got the serious stuff including Olympic downhill runs and backcountry gates, while Olympia handles night skiing and gentler cruising. The 6km longest run is legitimately long, not just marketing fluff, and that 683m vertical gives you proper descents. Some greens are annoyingly flat with uphill sections that'll frustrate snowboarders, but the steeps up top hit 38 degrees and hold powder well.

This is Sapporo's backyard mountain - mostly Japanese families on weekends, empty midweek, with that urban-adjacent feel where you're looking down at Japan's fifth-largest city instead of pristine wilderness. The Olympic history adds gravitas, but it's not precious about it. Expect minimal English outside the ticket office and rental counter.

"This ski resort is very overrated... Closeness to Sapporo is its only advantage, nothing more. The trails aren't enjoyable and are quite short."

— Google Review

• ✓First-time Japan skiers who want powder without the remote mountain lodge commitment - you're back in Sapporo by dinner
• ✓Intermediate skiers ready to test themselves on actual Olympic courses without the ego-crushing difficulty of pure expert terrain
• ✓Families who want variety - Highland for the serious skiers, Olympia for night skiing and easier progression

• ✗You're chasing deep backcountry and traditional Japanese ski village charm - this is decidedly urban-adjacent
• ✗Your group needs extensive English support beyond pointing and basic gestures - staff English is limited
• ✗You're expecting Niseko-level facilities and grooming - the infrastructure is functional but dated

January through February for peak snowfall and powder conditions at the 1023m summit. Weekdays are dramatically quieter than weekends, and the coastal location means reliable snow even during warmer spells that affect lower resorts.

1. Underestimating how expensive everything is - lift passes and rentals cost as much as bigger, better-equipped resorts
2. Expecting extensive English support beyond basic transactions at ticket and rental counters
3. Not checking upper lift status before heading up - wind and weather can close the best terrain with little warning

1. Hit Highland Zone first thing in the morning before the gondola connecting both zones gets busy - that's where the Olympic runs and backcountry gate are
2. Weekday visits are dramatically quieter - some runs will have only 2-3 people while weekend lift lines can build quickly
3. Skip the mountain restaurants and head into Sapporo for dinner - 40 minutes gets you to some of Japan's best food scenes instead of overpriced ski lodge fare