Sapporo Teine Pre-Trip Guide: Transport, Trails, Season Dates
Teine is about 40 minutes from Sapporo, and the beginner Olympia Zone opens 5 December. Book the direct bus 10 days ahead; a day ticket includes night skiing to 20:00.
Teine is about 40 minutes from Sapporo, so you can stay in the city and ski. Beginners should note that the Olympia Zone, where they practise, does not open until 5 December.
Key facts
About 40 minutes from SapporoStay in the city; no need to move up the mountain
Beginner Olympia Zone opens 5 DecemberThe mountain opens 21 November (planned). First-timers and families should come after 5 December
A day ticket includes night skiing (16:00 to 20:00)Your day ticket works in the evening at no extra cost
FUYU Teine lessons start 28 NovemberLessons are priced per group, up to 4 people
Details follow the resort's official announcements, checked on 24 October 2026 (2026-27 season).
1. Season dates: beginners, come after 5 December
The mountain opens on 21 November, but the beginner Olympia Zone not until 5 December.
| Area | Open (planned) |
|---|---|
| Whole mountain | Open (planned)21 Nov 2026 to 5 May 2027 |
| Olympia Zone | Open (planned)5 Dec to 28 Mar |
| Highland Zone | Open (planned)To 5 May |
| FUYU Teine lessons | Open (planned)From 28 Nov |
These are the resort's planned dates and may move earlier or later. Check again before booking flights.
2. The resort: two zones, 15 runs
The Highland Zone sits near the summit with more intermediate and advanced runs; the Olympia Zone is lower down with more beginner runs.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Runs | Details15: 7 beginner, 4 intermediate, 4 advanced |
| Highland Zone | DetailsHZ-1 to HZ-7 |
| Olympia Zone | DetailsOZ-1 to OZ-8 |
| Summit | Details1,023 m, with 683 m of vertical |
| History | DetailsA venue of the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics |
Run numbers match the trail map and the resort's run status page.
| Your level | Run | Grade and length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| First time | RunOZ-5 Shirakaba Sundance | Grade and lengthBeginner, 350 m | NotesThe Olympic torch stands at the top |
| First time | RunOZ-2 Shirakaba Sunshine | Grade and lengthBeginner, 520 m | NotesAlso open for night skiing |
| First time | RunOZ-8 Seikadai Ocean Stream | Grade and lengthBeginner, 800 m | NotesA gentle slope for beginners and children |
| Working on turns | RunOZ-4 Shirakaba Sunrise | Grade and lengthIntermediate, 300 m | NotesAlso open for night skiing |
| Working on turns | RunHZ-1 City View Cruise | Grade and lengthIntermediate, 1,200 m | NotesIn the Highland Zone |
| Looking for a challenge | RunHZ-4 Kitakabe (North Wall) | Grade and lengthExpert, 1,500 m | NotesPitches reach 36 degrees |
| Looking for a challenge | RunOZ-6 Seikadai Ocean Dive | Grade and lengthAdvanced, 520 m | NotesPitches reach 38 degrees, in the Olympia Zone |
3. Getting there: take the direct bus from your hotel
FUYU usually suggests the BIG RUNS direct bus from central Sapporo hotels. It takes about 50 minutes and must be booked 10 days ahead.
| Option | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIG RUNS direct bus | TimeAbout 50 min | CostReturn ¥8,000; with a 7-hour lift ticket ¥11,000 | NotesChildren 4 and up ¥6,000 / ¥7,500. See the official site for departure times |
| Drive | TimeAbout 40 min | CostFree parking | Notes2,800 spaces |
| Taxi package | TimeYou set both pick-up times | CostSee the official site | NotesBook ahead. No taxis wait at the resort, so arrange your own ride back |
| JR + bus | TimeJR Sapporo to Teine 11 min, then bus 16 min to Olympia or 28 min to Highland | CostJR ¥360; bus adult ¥1,000, child ¥500 | NotesChange at Teine Station south exit, stop 3, for the JR bus. Morning buses fill up in season; our coaches don't recommend it |
Before you book BIG RUNS
- Book 10 days aheadRuns with no bookings by 18:00 ten days before are cancelled. After that, any free seats can be booked online until 9:00 two days before
- No need to stay at a stop hotelBoard at whichever stop is near you
- You get a voucherExchange it at the resort ticket office for your lift ticket
- Other rulesNo ski boots on board and no pets. Different areas each way are charged as two one-way trips
4. Lessons: if you ski once, make it a full day
Travel, rental and getting kitted out take time. If you only ski once, FUYU coaches usually suggest a full day.
| Lesson | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full day | Length6 hours | NotesIncludes a 1-hour lunch |
| Half day | Length3 hours | Notes |
| Starlight | Length2 hours | NotesDuring night skiing |
| Extra hour | Length1 hour | NotesOnly after a full day or a half-day afternoon lesson |
Group size and what's included
- Group sizeLessons are priced per group, not per person. The base price covers 2; each person from the 3rd adds a surcharge, up to 4 per group
- ChildrenFrom age 3. Children under 7 need a 1-on-1 lesson
- IncludedCoaching and third-party liability insurance, plus your lesson on video or in notes so you know what to work on next
- Not includedLift tickets, gear, transport and meals
- Registered to teachFUYU is registered to teach at Teine under the resort's rules
5. Gear: rent at the Olympia ski centre
If you're skiing into the evening, rent on the 3rd floor of the Olympia ski centre, which is open until 20:00.
| HEAD SPORTS STATION | Hours (planned) |
|---|---|
| Olympia ski centre, 3F | Hours (planned)8:30 to 20:00 |
| Highland ski centre, 1F | Hours (planned)Closes earlier than Olympia; see the official site |
Worth bringing yourself: thick ski socks (not cotton), waterproof gloves, a neck gaiter or face mask, base layers and sunscreen (snow reflects a lot of sun).
6. Night skiing: a day ticket runs to 20:00
Day and hour tickets both work in the evening, so you can spend the day in Sapporo or Otaru and head up in the late afternoon.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Hours | Details16:00 to 20:00, last lift ride 19:40 |
| Season | Details5 Dec to 28 Mar (planned) |
| Area | DetailsOlympia Zone: OZ-2 Shirakaba Sunshine, OZ-4 Shirakaba Sunrise |
| Evening only | DetailsA night ticket is ¥2,900 online |
| FUYU lesson | DetailsThe 2-hour Starlight lesson runs during night skiing |
7. With children: come after 5 December
The Olympia Zone, where children practise, opens on 5 December, so plan family trips after that.
Good to know with children
- Practice runOZ-8 Seikadai Ocean Stream is a gentle slope suited to children
- LessonsFrom age 3; under 7 need a 1-on-1 lesson. We suggest children 7 and under start on skis
- Snow play area and magic carpetNeed a separate ticket; lift tickets don't cover them
- TransportBIG RUNS children 4 and up ¥6,000; JR bus child ¥500
Ages and lesson plans for children are in Kids ski lessons.
8. Where to eat after: back in Sapporo
Eat back in central Sapporo, where there is plenty of choice and places are still open after night skiing.
Four good choices after skiing
- Soup curryHot, spicy and warming
- Jingisukan grilled lambRefuels you fast
- Miso ramenA rich broth for winter
- Seafood and conveyor-belt sushiPlenty around Sapporo Station and Nijo Market
Still deciding on Teine? Read who Teine suits.