Sapporo Teine Ski Resort: 2026-27 Passes From 8,400 Yen
Sapporo Teine is the ski resort on Mount Teine, inside Sapporo city. It hosted the alpine races of the 1972 Winter Olympics, the first Winter Games held in Asia. The Sapporo Teine Ski Resort About Teine page gives the distance as only 15km from downtown. You can ski in the morning and eat in Susukino at night.
The resort has two bases. The Highland Ski Center sits near the summit side, and the Olympia Ski Center sits lower down. The long Olympic runs start from the upper base. You reach both on the same lift ticket.
The resort has posted its 2026-27 prices on its Japanese pages. The Sapporo Teine 2026-2027 lift fees and lift hours page splits the winter into four price periods. Buying online saves 1,000 yen on every day ticket, 5-hour ticket and night ticket. Online sales need a user registration, so set up the account before you fly.
Interest climbs fast before the snow arrives. Worldwide searches for “teine highland ski center sapporo” went from 2,900 in October 2025 to 27,100 in December 2025, 9.3 times higher. January 2026 matched that peak with 27,100 searches. A related search, “sapporo kokusai ski”, averages about 14,800 a month.
| Month | Searches |
|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | 1900 |
| Oct 2025 | 2900 |
| Nov 2025 | 6600 |
| Dec 2025 | 27,100 |
| Jan 2026 | 27,100 |
| Feb 2026 | 22,200 |
| Mar 2026 | 9900 |
| Apr 2026 | 3600 |
| May 2026 | 1300 |
| Jun 2026 | 1300 |
| Jul 2026 | 1600 |
| Aug 2026 | 2400 |
The chart shows a quiet autumn, a jump in November and a peak from December to February. For a late-December trip, book the bus pack and rental early.
Highland or Olympia: the two zones
Sapporo Teine covers 76ha of runs with a vertical drop of 683m. The top lift station is near the 1,023m summit, and the lowest point is 340m in the Olympia zone. The Sapporo Teine mountain statistics and courses page rates 35% of the terrain beginner, 40% intermediate and 25% expert.
The drawing above sums up the split. The Highland zone is the upper mountain. It has 7 courses, including the Olympic giant slalom and slalom runs and the steep Kitakabe (North Face). Its lifts run from 9:00, and the last ones stop at 16:00 from February. The Highland zone opens first and closes last. The resort schedules it from late November to early May, with weekend and holiday opening only from 8 April.
The Olympia zone is the lower mountain. It has 8 courses, wide beginner slopes, a snow play area and the only night skiing. The Shirakaba No.1 lift runs until 20:00. The resort schedules Olympia from early December to late March. From 29 March 2027, only the Highland zone is open.
The two zones link by lift and by the long Rainbow course. Watch one rule closely. The resort warns that if you miss the last Eight Gondola, you cannot get back up to the Highland zone. The gondola runs 9:00 to 15:30 until 18 January and until 16:00 from 1 February. If you parked or left bags at the Highland Ski Center, ride back up before that last car.
The photo shows a groomed, forest-lined run. Pick a base by your level. Beginners and families do well at Olympia, close to the Snow Land and the gentle Shirakaba slopes. Strong skiers should start at Highland and ride the Summit Express first thing.
Lift ticket prices for 2026-27
The resort sells tickets for four periods. Prices drop as spring comes. Each period has separate rates for adults (19-64), seniors (65 and over), junior and senior high school students (13-18), and children (4-12). Children aged 3 and under ride the lifts free. Everyone aged 4 and over needs a ticket.
| Period | Dates | Online | Counter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early season | Opening day to Fri 18 Dec 2026 | 8,400 yen | 9,400 yen |
| Regular season | Sat 19 Dec 2026 to Sun 7 Mar 2027 | 8,800 yen | 9,800 yen |
| Spring | Mon 8 Mar to Sun 28 Mar 2027 | 6,600 yen | 7,600 yen |
| Special spring (Highland only) | Mon 29 Mar to Wed 5 May 2027 | 6,000 yen | 7,000 yen |
The table lists the adult 1-day ticket in each period. That ticket stays valid until night skiing ends, so one ticket covers 9:00 to 20:00 on days when Olympia is open. In the regular season, a senior or a student aged 13-18 pays 8,500 yen at the counter or 7,500 yen online. A child aged 4-12 pays 6,500 yen at the counter or 5,500 yen online.
Shorter tickets and the 25-hour pass
The 5-hour ticket runs for 5 hours in a row on the same day. In the regular season it costs adults 6,600 yen online and 7,600 yen at the counter. The resort sells it only in the early and regular seasons. The night ticket covers 16:00 to 20:00. Adults, seniors and students pay 2,900 yen online or 3,900 yen at the counter, and children pay 1,800 yen online.
The 25-hour ticket suits repeat visitors. You use it by the hour on any day of the season. It costs 28,500 yen for adults, 24,500 yen for seniors and students, and 17,500 yen for children. It is sold online only, and its sales window runs from 15 October to 29 November. Holders can add 5 more hours online for 5,600 yen (adults).
The guide above matches each ticket to a type of day. Point tickets are a fourth choice. A 12-point ticket costs 7,500 yen at the counter for adults. The Summit Express and the Eight Gondola take 3 points per ride, and every other lift takes 1 point.
Rules on the ticket
- Seniors and students aged 13-18 must show ID with their age. A passport works.
- The IC card ticket is for one person only. You cannot share or pass it on.
- The resort gives no refunds after purchase, for any reason, and does not reissue lost tickets.
- Counters accept credit cards and smartphone payments.
- Return your used IC card to the box in the base building, or keep it to recharge next time.
At the window, the board shows the one-day ticket as 1日券 (ichinichi-ken, one-day ticket). Point at it if you do not speak Japanese.
Getting to Sapporo Teine Highland Ski Center
You need one train and one bus. The Sapporo Teine Ski Resort access page lists the times and fares. From JR Sapporo Station, a rapid or local train reaches JR Teine Station in about 11 to 18 minutes for 360 yen. A Kitaca, JR Hokkaido’s IC card, lets you pass the ticket gate without buying a paper ticket. Our Kitaca card guide covers the 2,000 yen price and the 500 yen deposit.
The flow chart shows the route. At Teine Station, leave by the South Exit and board the JR Hokkaido Bus at bus stop 3. The bus reaches Teine Olympia-mae in about 15 minutes and Teine Highland in about 27 minutes. The flat fare to Teine Highland is 1,000 yen for adults and 500 yen for children. Weekend timetables differ from weekdays.
Pay the bus fare with exact change when you board. The access page says credit cards cannot be used, so carry 1,000 yen coins or small notes per adult. A taxi from the South Exit of Teine Station takes about 20 minutes, and one from JR Sapporo Station takes about 45 minutes.
| Place | Sapporo Teine Highland Ski Center |
|---|---|
| Price | Adult 1-day ticket 8,800 yen online, 9,800 yen at the counter (19 Dec 2026 to 7 Mar 2027) |
| Hours | Lifts from 9:00, last lifts stop at 16:00 from 1 Feb; rental shop 8:30-17:00 |
| Access | JR Hokkaido Bus from bus stop 3, JR Teine Station South Exit, about 27 min, adults 1,000 yen |
| Official site | Sapporo Teine Ski Resort access page |
From New Chitose Airport
The fastest Rapid Airport train runs from New Chitose Airport to JR Teine Station in 51 minutes for 1,400 yen. Our New Chitose Airport to Sapporo transfer guide compares the train with the airport buses. The New Chitose Airport page lists coin lockers from 400 yen a day, handy if you land on a ski day.
The Big Runs hotel bus
The Big Runs bus links major Sapporo hotels with both ski centers. It runs from 5 December 2026 to 28 March 2027, and you must book ahead. Online prices for adults (13 and over) and children (4-12):
- Round trip plus a 7-hour lift ticket: 11,000 yen (children 4-12: 7,500 yen).
- Round trip only: 8,800 yen (children: 6,000 yen).
- One way: 4,000 yen (children: 3,000 yen).
Phone or email bookings add 500 yen per person. The booking deadline is 18:00, 10 days before your ski day. Buses leave the first hotels at 7:55 and reach the Highland Ski Center at 9:35. The return leaves the Highland Ski Center at 16:00. You cannot ride in ski boots or hard snowboard boots. Cancelling 7 to 2 days ahead costs 30% of the fare.
The checklist above covers the four things that trip people up. Buy the lift ticket online and carry change for the bus. Pack your passport if you are 65 or over or aged 13-18, and note the last Eight Gondola time.
Driving takes about 40 minutes from central Sapporo and about 60 minutes from New Chitose Airport by expressway. Our Japan car rental guide explains the permit you need and winter driving in Hokkaido.
Rentals, gear storage and night skiing
The Sapporo Teine ski and snowboard rentals page lists two shops. The Highland shop is on the first floor of the Highland Ski Center and opens 8:30 to 17:00. The Olympia shop is on the third floor of the Olympia Ski Center and opens 8:30 to 20:00, so it serves night skiers too.
A standard set of skis or a snowboard plus boots costs 9,200 yen a day for adults and 7,600 yen for children under 12. From 26 December to 3 January, high-season prices apply: 10,500 yen for adults and 8,900 yen for children. A 2-day set costs 17,400 yen for adults outside high season.
A full rental adds a jacket, pants, a beanie, goggles and gloves. It costs 20,000 yen a day for adults and 23,000 yen in high season. Helmets cost 3,300 yen a day. Ski rentals include poles.
Book online before your trip. The resort says an online booking cuts the paperwork and payment at the counter, so you wait far less. If you rent for two days or more, return the gear each evening and the shop stores it for free. The next morning you pick it up without filling in the form again.
Bringing your own skis from home? Check our pages on flying with skis and snowboards and packing ski wax before you pack.
Night skiing in the Olympia zone
Night skiing runs 16:00 to 20:00 in the Olympia zone. The Shirakaba No.1 lift serves it until 20:00, and the last ride boards at 19:40. The lit runs include the wide Shirakaba Sun Shine and the Sun Rise slope by the large Ferris wheel. A night rental set costs 6,200 yen for adults.
| Place | Sapporo Teine Olympia Ski Center |
|---|---|
| Price | Night ticket 16:00-20:00: 2,900 yen online, 3,900 yen at the counter (adults) |
| Hours | Shirakaba No.1 lift 9:00-20:00, last ride 19:40; rental shop 8:30-20:00 |
| Access | JR Hokkaido Bus from JR Teine Station South Exit, about 15 min to Teine Olympia-mae |
| Official site | Sapporo Teine ski and snowboard rentals |
Night skiing ends at Olympia, not at Highland. If you take the bus home after dark, board at Teine Olympia-mae.
Courses and the 1972 Olympic runs
At the 1972 Sapporo Olympics, the Highland zone hosted the men’s and women’s slalom and giant slalom. The Olympia zone, where the Olympic cauldron stands, hosted bobsleigh and luge. Those race courses are still open to the public.
- Women’s Giant Slalom: 2,000m, up to 34 degrees. An FIS-approved course that still hosts national races.
- Men’s and Women’s Slalom: 700m, up to 34 degrees, steep from top to bottom.
- Kitakabe (North Face): 1,500m, up to 36 degrees, a forest run with no way out once you start.
- Natural: 4,000m, up to 12 degrees, a beginner run from the summit to the Highland Ski Center.
- Seikadai Ocean Dive: 520m, up to 38 degrees, the steepest slope, with moguls and a view of Ishikari Bay.
The photo shows Mount Teine under snow above the city. Beginners get the best deal here. The Natural course from the summit joins the 1,700m Rainbow course down to Olympia, a run of about 6,000m. It ranks among the longest downhill runs in Hokkaido, and none of it is steeper than 12 degrees.
The resort has 10 lifts. In the Highland zone, the Summit Express is 1,230m long and the Panorama No.1 and No.2 lifts are 1,024m and 997m. In the Olympia zone, the Eight Gondola is 1,437m and climbs toward the Highland zone. The City View Cruise course looks down on Sapporo, a city of about 2 million people.
Season dates, New Year and the Snow Festival
The 2026-27 price periods give you the season shape. The early season runs from opening day to Friday 18 December 2026. The regular season runs from Saturday 19 December 2026 to Sunday 7 March 2027. Spring prices start on Monday 8 March, and the Highland-only special spring season runs from Monday 29 March to Wednesday 5 May 2027.
New Year is busy. On 1 January 2027, the Summit Express is scheduled to start at 6:30, so you can be on the mountain early on New Year’s Day. Rental prices rise from 26 December to 3 January. Our New Year 2026-27 holiday guide shows that banks close from 31 December to 3 January, so get cash before then.
The 2027 Sapporo Snow Festival runs for 8 days, from Thursday 4 February to Thursday 11 February. The Sapporo Snow Festival 2027 dates announcement names three sites: Odori Park from West 1-chome to West 11-chome, the Tsudome sports hall and Susukino. Sapporo hotels were 68.0% full in February 2025, so book a room early if you want to ski and see the snow statues.
The photo shows snow statues at Odori Park. Teine works well with the festival. Ski in the day and walk the Odori site in the evening, since the train back from Teine Station to Sapporo takes under 20 minutes.
How cold Sapporo gets
Dress for real cold. The Japan Meteorological Agency Sapporo climate normals for 1991-2020 give these city averages.
- December: high 2.0°C, low -4.0°C, deepest snow 47cm.
- January: high -0.4°C, low -6.4°C, deepest snow 76cm.
- February: high 0.4°C, low -6.2°C, deepest snow 95cm.
The screenshot shows that Japan Meteorological Agency table for the Sapporo weather station. It lists monthly normals, including 137cm of total snowfall in an average January. The slopes sit higher than the city, up to 1,023m. For more by month, see our pages on Sapporo in January and Sapporo in February. Pack a few disposable hand warmers for the chairlifts.
Teine or Niseko Grand Hirafu?
Choose Teine if you stay in Sapporo and want a day on the snow. Choose Niseko if you want to move to a ski town for several nights. The Niseko Grand Hirafu official winter page plans its 2026-27 season from 28 November 2026 to 5 May 2027. Opening dates can move with the snow.
| Item | Sapporo Teine | Niseko Grand Hirafu |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical drop | 683m | 940m |
| Total area | 76ha | 135ha |
| Top elevation | 1,023m | 1,200m |
| Longest run | About 6,000m | 5,300m |
| Night skiing | Olympia zone, 16:00 to 20:00 | 12 Dec 2026 to 22 Mar 2027 |
Grand Hirafu is bigger, with 22 courses, 2 gondolas and 7 lifts facing Mount Yotei. Its ski area joins the Hirafu village, so you walk from the slopes to bars and restaurants. Teine wins on time. It sits 15km from downtown Sapporo, and the drive takes about 40 minutes.
The photo shows Grand Hirafu’s slopes. Many visitors do both: a day or two at Teine from a Sapporo hotel, then a few nights in Niseko. Our Japan winter travel guide by region and the Sapporo month-by-month guide help you fit the ski days around the rest of the trip.
FAQ
Can you do Sapporo Teine as a day trip from Sapporo?
Yes. Take the train from JR Sapporo Station to JR Teine Station in 11 to 18 minutes for 360 yen. Then ride the JR Hokkaido Bus from bus stop 3 to Teine Highland in about 27 minutes for 1,000 yen. The Big Runs hotel bus also runs from 5 December 2026 to 28 March 2027.
Are Sapporo Teine lift tickets cheaper online?
Yes, by 1,000 yen on the 1-day, 5-hour and night tickets. An adult 1-day ticket in the regular season costs 8,800 yen online and 9,800 yen at the counter. You need to register as a user before you buy online.
Does Sapporo Teine have night skiing?
Yes, in the Olympia zone from 16:00 to 20:00. The Shirakaba No.1 lift takes its last riders at 19:40. A night ticket costs 2,900 yen online for adults. A 1-day ticket also stays valid until night skiing ends.
Do young children need a lift ticket at Sapporo Teine?
Children aged 3 and under ride the lifts free. From age 4, every child needs a ticket. A child aged 4-12 pays 5,500 yen online for a regular-season 1-day ticket, or 6,500 yen at the counter.
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