April 23, 2026
It is definitely still skiable at the end of April. Of course, the snow quality cannot compare to peak season with good accumulation, but as long as I can ski, it’s perfectly fine for me. Plus, not having to wear multiple layers of heavy winter outfits is a big bonus!
The slopes are much less crowded, especially on weekdays. However, almost all the shops were closed when I visited, except for one small store selling drinks, hot snacks, general goods, and souvenirs.
Some of the ski lifts were closed too.
The place is great for beginners since there’s a wide, gentle slope right in front of the main building to practice on. It's a shame that the beginner magic carpet (escalator) was already closed for the end of the season.
Overall, it is still one of the best places where you can reliably find snow for winter activities late in the season.
From a beginner’s point of view, Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort felt more challenging than I expected. I’ve seen it described as beginner-friendly, but after trying it myself as someone who only skis once a year, I found it a bit less forgiving than that. It’s still a nice place overall, but I’d say beginners should go in with realistic expectations.
Drove a car down in early Jan. Weather was really cold (-7°C). Roads were relatively empty and but the road lines on the ground are barely visible; Just follow the signs
We went down for a 1 day ski beginner course. All equipments could be rented aside from the ski gloves, face mask and neck guard (which you have to buy if needed)
Our instructors were very friendly and skilled and could speak basic English so it went well. The course was split into 2 parts - 2 hours of practice at the easy slope, then 2 hours of the actual skiing down the mountain. (One hour of lunch in between)
I recommend to book the course online as there are limited slots, especially for English ski/snow boarding classes.
Non stop Pow!! It snowed all 8 days we were here! Such great skiing, especially the side country, oh and the Ramen in the shop... best in the world, or at least the best I've had
Sapporo Kokusai is a fantastic resort with a well-balanced mix of terrain, leaning more toward fun, low-angle skiing while still offering some steeper options to keep things interesting. The tree skiing is excellent—playful, well-spaced, and perfect for storm days. On a clear day, the views are unreal, with sweeping sights all the way out to the ocean. Add in some of the highest snow accumulation in the region and a very reasonable lift ticket price, and Kokusai delivers incredible value and an all-around memorable ski experience.
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