Try out the downhill luge, Olypmic style skeleton, or practice your ski and snowboard skills at Fu’s Snow area! Fu’s is one of the closest hills to downtown Sapporo and is a good place a variety of snow sports. Unlike most of the other ski hills surrounding Sapporo Fu’s has more gradual slopes and less elevation, making it more of a practice ground. There are a few steep slopes too for more experienced skiers, so it’s a good place for the whole family to spend a day of fun in the snow. In summer the area becomes a green playground with a variety of outdoor experiences like hiking, nature watching and mountain biking.
Opened in 2001 Fu’s has a large area of about 330,000 square meters with 6 ski slopes plus a family play slope, with courses up to 1,800 meters long with sections of up to 38 degrees, making it interesting for skiers from beginner to advanced. The terrain is divided up into about 60% beginner courses, 30% intermediate, and 10% advanced. One of the main attractions is the 1,100 meter long luge course, which was originally developed as a practice course for the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics. Various equipment rentals are available and prices for both rentals and lift tickets are very reasonable.
Fu’s Snow Are is about a 30 minute drive south of Sapporo on Route 230, on the way to Jozankei Onsen. In fact, it’s close enough to Jozankei that you can enjoy a nice hot soak in the hot springs after a day of playing in the snow. There’s free parking on site for up to 500 cars. To get there via public transit take the Sapporo Subway Namboku Line (green line) from Sapporo Station to Makomanai Station which is at the end of the line. The ride takes about 15 minutes and costs ¥280 yen. From there you can take the free Fu’s bus. To find the bus stop cross the main street in front of Makomani Station and it is down the first street on the left next to the baseball field on the corner. You can also take Jotetsu Bus from Makomanai Station bound for Jozankei Onsen. Get off at the Fujino-sanjo-juichome stop. From there it’s about a 15 minute walk.
This post is also available in: Japanese