Here's the bottom line first. Of the 6 resorts, only 2 offer a free shuttle bus: Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort and SNOW CRUISE ONZE. The buses to Sapporo Teine and Sapporo Moiwayama Ski Resort charge a fare, and while Sapporo Bankei Ski Area is very affordable at ¥240 one way and up, it is not free. See the table below and the detailed guide to each resort that follows.

*Fares, travel times, and operating periods may change depending on the season or day of the week. Before you go, be sure to check the latest information on the official website of each resort and bus company. (Information as of September 2026)

Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort is a full-scale ski area and one of the largest of the 6 resorts. Its biggest draw is that free shuttle buses run from 3 directions: central Sapporo, New Chitose Airport, and Jozankei Onsen. It also has a free parking lot for 1,850 cars, making it easy to reach by public transportation or by car.

Free Shuttle Bus: Fares and How to Book

The shuttle bus is completely free, but it operates on a reservation-only basis. If you arrive without booking the return bus, it may be full and you could be left without a way back, so be sure to reserve both directions in advance. Pick-up points (bus stops, near major hotels, etc.) are published each season on the reservation page of the official website, so check the latest list before you go.

Access by Train and Bus

Option	Route	Approx. Travel Time
Free shuttle bus	Direct from central Sapporo / New Chitose Airport / Jozankei Onsen (reservation required)	Approx. 1 hr 30 min from central Sapporo
Route bus (Jotetsu Bus)	Ski buses with limited seating (reservation required) from JR Sapporo Station South Exit and Makomanai Subway Station	Approx. 1 hr from Makomanai Station
Car	From central Sapporo via National Route 230 (free parking for 1,850 cars)	Winter tires are a must when there is snow

Recommended For

• Those who want an easy day trip on a free shuttle bus without any hassle
• Those who want to head straight to the slopes after arriving at New Chitose Airport
• Those who want to ski full-scale runs (7 courses, from beginner to advanced)
• Those who want more support, such as hotel pick-up (the day tours below are convenient)

Sapporo Teine is known as the venue for the downhill events of the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics. It's conveniently reached with just one bus from JR Teine Station, but note that the shuttle bus is not free and charges a fare.

Bus from JR Teine Station (Paid)

Destination	Fare (One Way)	Travel Time
Teine Olympia-mae	Adults ¥1,000 / Children ¥500	Approx. 16 min
Teine Highland	Adults ¥1,000 / Children ¥500	Approx. 28 min

*Board at JR Teine Station South Exit, Bus Stop No. 3. You can pay the fare with transit IC cards such as SAPICA and Kitaca; if paying in cash, please have exact change ready (credit cards not accepted). The operating period for the 2025-26 season is scheduled from December 13, 2025 to March 29, 2026. Check the latest timetable on the JR Hokkaido Bus official website.

Recommended For

• Those who want to reach the nearest station on a single JR line (as little as 16 min by bus from Teine Station)
• Those who want to enjoy serious slopes, including Olympic courses
• Those who want less hassle with arrangements (day tours with transfers are convenient)

Located in Chuo Ward, Sapporo, this is one of the closest ski areas to the city center. The dedicated "Bankei Bus" runs daily from 3 subway stations, Maruyama-Koen, Makomanai, and Hassamu-Minami, with very affordable fares from ¥240 one way.

The "Bankei Bus" from 3 Subway Stations

Departure Station	Route Name	Fare (Adult / One Way)	Travel Time
Maruyama-Koen Subway Station	Maruyama Line	¥240	Approx. 13 min
Makomanai Subway Station	Makomanai Line	See fare table on official website	See official website
Hassamu-Minami Subway Station	Hassamu-Minami Line	See fare table on official website	See official website

*Departure times differ between the winter timetable (December 20 to March 31) and the summer timetable (April 1 to December 19). The timetable at each bus stop has a QR code you can scan with your smartphone to check the latest bus location and times. For fares on the Makomanai Line and Hassamu-Minami Line, see the fare table PDF on the official website.

Recommended For

• Those who want to transfer to a bus right from a subway station (3 routes to choose from)
• Those who want to keep transportation costs as low as possible (Maruyama Line is ¥240 one way)
• Those who value close proximity to the city center

A hidden gem of a ski resort that's just about 15 minutes from Makomanai Station on the Namboku Line. From the station, there are 2 ways to get there: a direct shuttle to the resort (paid) or a route bus.

Access from Makomanai Station

Option	Route	Fare	Travel Time
Direct shuttle	Direct service between Makomanai Station and the ski resort	¥1,000 one way	Approx. 15 min
Route bus	From Makomanai Station Bus Stop No. 6, take the "Minami 98" bus bound for Doro Kanri Jimusho (Road Management Office) and get off at the last stop	Standard city bus fare	Approx. 10 to 15 min
Taxi	From Makomanai Station	-	Approx. 10 to 15 min (depending on road conditions)

Recommended For

• Those looking for a ski resort as close to the city center as possible
• Those who want to ski for a short time or stop by after work
• Those who want to choose between a route bus and a direct shuttle depending on the situation

Located in Otaru City, SNOW CRUISE ONZE is a rare find: alongside Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort, it's one of only 2 of the 6 resorts that run a completely free shuttle bus. You can board the shuttle, which runs as needed with no reservation required, from 2 locations: in front of JR Zenibako Station and at Katsuraoka Bus Stop.

How to Use the Free Shuttle Bus

Boarding Point	Fare	Reservation	Operation
In front of JR Zenibako Station	Free	Not required	Runs as needed based on passenger numbers
Next to Katsuraoka Bus Stop	Free	Not required	Runs as needed based on passenger numbers

*Each bus holds about 27 passengers, so when it's busy, the bus may be full and you may not be able to board. In that case, consider using public transportation or a taxi. Skis and snowboards must be stored in a dedicated cover or case.

Recommended For

• Those who want to easily use a free shuttle bus with no reservation
• Those who want a day trip from the Otaru area
• Those who can visit on weekdays to avoid crowds (less risk of a full bus)

A relatively compact ski area in Kitahiroshima City. There is no direct shuttle bus by public transportation, so the basic way to get there is by taxi from JR Kitahiroshima Station.

Option	Route	Travel Time
Taxi	From JR Kitahiroshima Station	Approx. 20 min

Recommended For

• Those who want to avoid crowds and ski in peace
• Those who don't mind getting around by rental car or taxi

We've organized our recommended resorts by priority, whether you want to "get there for free, no matter what" or "avoid extra transfers."

• If you want a completely free shuttle bus: Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort (reservation required) / SNOW CRUISE ONZE (no reservation needed)
• If you want to keep transportation costs as low as possible: Sapporo Bankei Ski Area (Maruyama Line, ¥240 one way)
• If you're looking for the ski resort closest to the city center: Sapporo Moiwayama Ski Resort (approx. 15 min from Makomanai Station)
• If you want to get there with just one JR line and one bus: Sapporo Teine (as little as 16 min from JR Teine Station)
• If you want to skip the hassle of arrangements: Day tours that bundle transfers, lift tickets, and rentals (available for Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort and Sapporo Teine)

Summary

Among the ski resorts you can visit on a day trip from central Sapporo, whether a free shuttle bus is available and how fares work vary greatly from resort to resort. To avoid surprises like "I thought it was free, but it wasn't," check this article's quick-reference table together with each resort's latest official information before you go. If you'd rather skip the hassle of arrangements, a day tour that bundles transfers, lift tickets, and rentals is also a great option.