Departing from Sapporo | International Ski Resort All-Inclusive Day Tour | Hokkaido Tourism Organization (HTO) Official Member Certification

Sapporo Kokusai is close enough to reach from the city, but far enough into the mountains to make a proper day of snow sports. This eight-hour outing handles the awkward first-timer chores for you: a Susukino pickup, transport to the resort and equipment collection at the dedicated LOUNGE THE 6 counter. I like that you spend less of the morning hunting for boots, and more of it learning how to use them.

I also like the small group limit of eight and the patient, practical teaching style associated with coaches such as Xunxun, Aria, CC and Amiao. One consideration: this is a full day of physical effort, and the listed inclusions do not cover lunch, a helmet or standard gloves. Check the exact package before booking, especially if you need protective gear.

At a glance

• Start in central Susukino: Meet at INFINITY CITY, then take the tour vehicle directly to Sapporo Kokusai.
• Get set up at LOUNGE THE 6: The dedicated counter is designed to simplify check-in, equipment pickup and changing.
• Choose skis or a snowboard: Package A is for skis, while B and D are for snowboards. Package C is a ski option.
• Learn in Chinese or English: The operator describes its teaching team as bilingual, with CASI/CSIA certifications.
• Expect a long lesson day: The schedule allows two hours of morning instruction, lunch, then two more hours of afternoon teaching.
• Bring or arrange the extras: Lunch is at your own expense, and a helmet and gloves are not part of the standard inclusions.

👉 See our pick of the 10 Best Guided Tours In Sapporo

From Susukino to the slopes

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The day starts at 8:00 a.m. at INFINITY CITY Susukino Center, about a five-minute walk from Susukino Station on the Namboku Subway Line. Arrive five minutes early. The operator runs transfers to the resort, so you do not have to figure out a separate bus connection or stop at an equipment shop on the edge of town.

The drive is estimated at about an hour and a half. That makes the tour a useful choice if you are staying in central Sapporo and want a straightforward day outside the city. It also means an early start and a fairly long day, especially once you count the return drive. Traffic and weather can change the timing, and the stated return window is 4:00 to 5:30 p.m.

There is one practical point to handle before departure: the meeting point can serve more than one ski group. One person described getting into the wrong line because the resort name was not clear to them. Look for the Sapporo Kokusai group, and do not be shy about asking staff to confirm before boarding. The meeting address is THE SUSUKINO SQUARE WEST, 3-6 South 6 West 5, first-floor rooms A, B and E.

A smoother start at LOUNGE THE 6

At the resort, you collect your gear and change at the I-I Travel counter in LOUNGE THE 6, a newer facility introduced for the 2025 season. The operator says the arrangement lets you check in, meet your instructor and pick up equipment in one place, rather than queueing at a separate rental shop. That matters on a ski day: wet clothes and unfamiliar boots can eat up time before you have even reached the snow.

The included equipment is described as Rossignol gear, including a ski suit and ski or snowboard equipment. Guests also receive ski goggles. The exact bundle varies by package, so read the chosen option carefully. The information provided does not include a helmet or standard gloves. Some advanced package names advertise a ski-glove gift, but do not assume that applies to every booking. A helmet is worth arranging in advance if you want one.

After changing, your instructor explains safety basics and helps you get familiar with the equipment. That first orientation is especially useful for beginners. The boots, bindings and board or skis have their own small learning curve, and a clear start can make the first lesson feel less intimidating.

Two hours to find your feet

The morning lesson begins around 10:30 and lasts two hours. For a first ski or snowboard day, this is the core of the experience. Coaches work through basic movement and control, and the aim is to prepare you for the afternoon rather than rush you straight onto a long run.

The most consistent strength of the teaching is its patient, hands-on approach. Coaches named in feedback include Xunxun, Aria, CC, Amiao, Mio and Yuzu. Names and assignments are not guaranteed, but the teaching described is attentive: instructors correct posture, repeat demonstrations, help students back up after falls and adjust the pace when someone is nervous. Some also use photos or short videos to show what a movement looks like.

The group size is capped at eight, and some groups have been smaller. That can give you more chances to ask for help than a large class, though it is still group teaching, not a private lesson. A few accounts describe an instructor giving one student especially close attention, but you should not book expecting to have a coach to yourself.

Instruction is offered in Chinese and English, and the operator describes its instructors as internationally certified through CASI or CSIA. If language is important to you, state your needs when booking and confirm that the instructor can teach in your preferred language. A good coach can make the difference between an anxious morning and a satisfying first run.

Lunch, then a step up the mountain

At 12:30, the group has an hour for lunch at a resort restaurant. Food is not included, so set aside money for it. This break is also a chance to warm up, rest tired legs and take stock before the afternoon session. Beginners may welcome the pause more than they expect: learning on snow involves repeated effort, and falling can be tiring even when the lesson is going well.

The afternoon lesson starts around 1:30. The group takes the gondola or lift uphill with the instructor, then continues with more advanced teaching. The tour information says the coach assesses readiness and guides students through the next stage. For beginners, that can mean moving from practice on gentler terrain toward a longer descent, but it is not a guarantee that every participant will ski or snowboard the same run. Conditions and ability matter.

Sapporo Kokusai has seven slopes, about 6.7 kilometres of total run length and five lifts, including one gondola and four chairlifts. Its stated altitude is about 1,100 metres. The resort has beginner, intermediate and advanced terrain, so there is more to the mountain than a single practice area. Still, do not confuse the afternoon’s cable-car ride with an automatic pass to advanced slopes. Your instructor’s assessment and your comfort level should guide what comes next.

Some first-timers have managed to descend a longer run by the end of the day. Others need more practice on easier terrain. Both are sensible outcomes. Skiing and snowboarding are physical skills, not a test of courage, and a careful lesson is more valuable than a run that feels beyond your control.

Photos, practice and the ride back

Around 3:30, the schedule allows about 30 minutes of free practice. Use that time to repeat a movement you have just learned, or simply enjoy the snow at a pace that feels manageable. The photo service is another welcome extra. Instructors take pictures and videos at intervals during lessons and practice, with the amount depending on conditions. After the trip, you can scan the operator’s QR code to access the material.

At 4:00, the group returns its equipment with help from the coach, then boards the vehicle back to Susukino. The schedule may slip because of road or weather conditions, so avoid making a tight evening reservation. The day is organized around the resort visit, not a guaranteed arrival at exactly 4:00.

What the price buys you

Prices start at $191.39, with early-bird options and different packages. That is a substantial spend for one day, but the package combines round-trip transport, resort admission, instruction, equipment, lift access, insurance and photography. For a visitor without ski gear or a car, having those pieces arranged together can be worth more than the headline price suggests. You avoid arranging separate transport, rentals and lessons, and you get an instructor who can help you use the equipment safely.

Compare the package names closely. A is a dual-board beginner package, meaning skis; B is a single-board beginner package, meaning a snowboard. C is an advanced ski package, and D is an advanced snowboard package. Package details differ, particularly around equipment and gifts. The base inclusions list ski or snowboard gear, a suit, goggles and lift tickets used with the group, but a helmet and gloves are not included in the standard list.

The group uses lift tickets together, rather than receiving an unrestricted ticket for independent use. Lunch is extra. If you already have transport or plan to drive yourself, note that the supplier says the price does not go down if you decline the shuttle. The transfer is part of the package’s convenience, not an optional discount.

The operator identifies itself as an official partner of Sapporo Kokusai and an official member of the Hokkaido Tourism Organization. Those credentials may reassure you that the service is set up to operate with the resort, but the day’s real value still rests on clear coordination, sound equipment and good teaching. The reviews describe a high overall rating of 4.9 from 338 ratings, with praise especially concentrated on instructors, smooth transport and prepared gear.

Who will get the most from this day

This is a strong fit if you are a beginner who wants instruction rather than an unstructured rental day. It is also useful for a mixed-ability pair or small group, since a coach can work through basic skills and help assess how far each person should progress. You do not need to own ski equipment, and the central pickup makes the mountain more accessible from Sapporo.

It may suit an experienced skier or snowboarder who wants a guided day and equipment, but check what the advanced package means for your ability. The schedule still includes coaching and group movement, so it is not simply a free-ski day with transport. If you are travelling with a young child, note the minimum participant age is five, children aged five to 18 need a paying adult, and child seats are not available.

This outing is not recommended for people with impaired mobility, pregnant participants, or people with certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure or epilepsy. The operator asks you to provide each participant’s passport spelling, gender, date of birth and email for insurance registration. If you have a health concern, contact the operator in advance rather than trying to sort it out at the meeting point.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a well-organized first day on snow, value coaching and equipment more than independence, and are comfortable spending most of the day at one resort. The most useful features are the direct Susukino transfer, the central gear pickup at LOUNGE THE 6 and the patient teaching style associated with coaches such as Xunxun, Aria, CC and Amiao.

Look elsewhere if you want a private lesson, a full day of independent lift access, or a package that includes every piece of protective gear and lunch. Before paying, choose the correct ski or snowboard option, confirm the selected package’s equipment and glove details, and plan for the early start. For a first taste of Hokkaido snow without arranging every piece yourself, this is a practical, high-value day.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The activity is scheduled for about eight hours, with an 8:00 a.m. departure and a return window of 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. Traffic and weather can affect the schedule.

Where does the tour meet in Sapporo?

Meet at INFINITY CITY Susukino Center, on the first floor of THE SUSUKINO SQUARE WEST, at 3-6 South 6 West 5 in Chuo Ward. It is about a five-minute walk from Susukino Station on the Namboku Subway Line.

Are transport and ski equipment included?

Round-trip transport from the meeting point is included, along with ski or snowboard equipment and a ski suit. Equipment details vary by package, so check the option you select.

Are a helmet and gloves included?

The standard included items do not list a helmet or gloves. Some advanced package names advertise a glove gift, so confirm the details for your exact package before booking.

Is lunch included?

No. There is a one-hour lunch break at a restaurant inside the resort, and lunch is at your own expense.

Can a complete beginner join?

Yes. Beginner packages are available, and the morning lesson covers basic skills before afternoon instruction. The instructor guides the group’s progression, so not everyone will necessarily take the same run.

What languages are available for instruction?

The operator describes its instructor team as Chinese- and English-speaking. If you need a particular language, confirm availability when booking.

What is the cancellation policy?

A full refund is available if you cancel at least seven days before the activity date, using destination local time. Late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable; the tour information also says changes are allowed until seven days before the activity, subject to stated booking restrictions.