9-Day Hokkaido Indy Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Logistics, Meet & Greet

There are two options to meet the group:

Option 1: Meet at CTS Airport at 1pm on Day 1 in front of the MOS Burger on the 1st floor of the Arrivals lobby, next to Arrivals Gate #2

Option 2: Meet in the lobby of the OMO7 hotel at 4:30pm on Day 1 of your trip

Trip orientation will be provided by your JST host upon arrival at OMO7 Hotel.

This trip is led by a JST host who will facilitate and ensure that your trip gets off to a good start. Upon arrival at the OMO7 hotel, your JST host will lead a trip orientation, providing details and a framework for the trip flow as well as orienting you on how to be a great guest during your stay in Japan. The JST host will join you for the entire duration of the trip, ensuring smooth transitions at each accommodation and ski resort.

Dinner: A big welcome dinner is included on Day 1 of this trip!

You can see more on the Logistics page about the processes of arriving and departing on this trip.

This is the flow of the trip. Click on the image to view in Google Maps!

Day 2-4: Pippu, Nayoro, and Kamui Ski Links via private shuttle (Indy Pass resorts)

Our first three ski days are spent at Pippu, Nayoro Piyashiri, and Kamui Ski Links, all Indy Pass member resorts. We'll access them via a privately chartered bus exclusively available to our guests.

Pippu Ski Resort, located 45 min by shuttle from OMO7, offers a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere while remaining a hidden gem for powder enthusiasts. On a powder day, the resort becomes a haven for deep snow enthusiasts, offering a nearly private skiing experience. If you love the Indy Pass, you're gonna love Pippu.

Nayoro Piyashiri, another Indy Pass resort, is a bit farther away at 90 min, but it's worth it! Located on Hokkaido's northern peninsula, Nayoro is farther north than most ski tourists will ever venture, but its location makes it a powder paradise with little competition.

Kamui Ski Links is the perfect playground for skiers to enjoy the regions exceptionally dry and fluffy powder. The resort has epic tree runs, pristine groomers, and a laid-back, local vibe, all just a short trip from Asahikawa (40-min shuttle).

​Dinners on Day 2-4
On Day 2, enjoy an authentic Japanese meal at night with the group, provided by JST. 

On Day 3, to keep things adventurous, dinner on this night will be on your own but your JST Host is ready and willing to recommend good spots! 
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​On Day 4, we check out of the hotel in the morning, ski Kamui Ski Links together, then depart after lunch for our next ski location at Tomamu.

Day 5: Ski-in/out from Tomamu

Tomamu is a great ski hill that you simply can't miss if you find yourself in the neighborhood.

Tomamu has an excellent mix of steeps, trees, groomed, and un-groomed runs. There is also gate-accessed side country for the advanced/expert riders out there. Large by Japanese standards, Tomamu is definitely worth it even though it's not on the Indy Pass.

Our hotel in Tomamu is the famous ski-in/out hotel at the Tomamu Resort Towers. Daily buffet breakfast and dinners are included for this portion of the trip (two nights).

Day 6: Pack up and head to Otaru via a ski stop at Mt. Racey (Indy Pass resort)

On the morning of Day 6, we check out of the Tomamu Resort Towers and head to Indy Pass member resort Mt. Racey for a quick ski to break up our journey to Otaru.

Mt. Racey Ski Resort benefits from consistent snowfall and dry snow. Frequent stormy weather in Hokkaido can cause lift closures from time to time. Due to its lower elevation and relatively sheltered conditions, Mt. Racey proves to be a great choice for skiing, when other nearby resorts may not be able to operate due to weather.

After finishing up our ski stop, we'll continue on to Otaru where we'll arrive in time for a group dinner at a renowned sushi restaurant. Our accommodation is located right in the heart of Otaru, adjacent to the charming canal. 

Day 7-8: Ski Kiroro and Sapporo Kokusai, stay in the seaside town of Otaru

Kiroro Resort is a renowned destination offering upscale amenities and exceptional powder skiing conditions. Once a hidden gem, it’s now gaining popularity, especially with Club Med Kiroro’s arrival. Kiroro boasts 23 runs and caters to all skill levels. The resort shines in its tree skiing and side country opportunities, with copious amounts of snowfall each season. Plus, its modern lift system ensures a comfortable experience for all visitors.

Sapporo Kokusai Resort is known for its reliable snowfall and consistent powder, with wide-open runs and well-spaced trees that make it easy to find fresh turns. Just an hour from the city, it offers a great mix of accessible terrain and deep snow, making it a favorite for both powder laps and relaxed cruising.

Dinners on Day 7-8
Day 7 dinner is another explore on your own night, but your JST Host is ready and willing to recommend good spots! 

Day 8, We'll celebrate with an end-of-trip all-you-can-eat (+ all-you-can-drink) Japanese barbecue!

Day 9: Ski Kiroro > Otaru Station > CTS Airport drop-off

On the final day, we check out of the hotel in the morning and head to Kiroro for the last day of skiing. After a full day of skiing, we leave Kiroro at 4:00pm and head to CTS Airport with a stop at Otaru train station.

Drop-off at Otaru train station is at 5:00pm and CTS Airport is at 6:30pm. To account for road closure delays due to snow/blizzard conditions, do not get a departing domestic flight that leaves earlier than 8:00pm or an international departing flight that leaves earlier than 9:00pm.

For more information on logistics, see the Logistics page.