Pippu Ski Resort

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Pippu Hokkaido
Pippu Hokkaido
Deep Powder Course Pippu
Deep Powder Course Pippu
Easy to find fresh tracks
Easy to find fresh tracks
Top chair lift at Pippu Hokkaido
Top chair lift at Pippu Hokkaido
Central Hokkaido Powder
Central Hokkaido Powder
The number of operational chairs has diminished
The number of operational chairs has diminished
Pippu Ski Resort Japan
Pippu Ski Resort Japan
Powder skiing Pippu Japan
Powder skiing Pippu Japan
Rather uncrowded at Pippu
Rather uncrowded at Pippu
Fresh powder galore
Fresh powder galore
Pippu Ski Resort
Pippu Ski Resort
Pippu powder
Pippu powder

Pippu Ski Resort

Readers Ratings

Pippu

Pippu3.5/52
Pippu3.5 out of 5 based on 2 reviews
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Pippu Ski Resort

Pippu is a family oriented ski resort near Asahikawa in Hokkaido, yet behind the façade of the family fun is powder hound fun! On a powder day, the Pippu Ski Resort is nirvana for powder hounds where it can feel like you have your own private ski resort. If you’ve charged it big at Kurodake or Asahidake the day previously, Pippu is perfect to recover from your powder hangover. Or if it’s a brutal weather day and the ropeways at Asahidake and Kurodake are closed, Pippu is an ideal choice for storm riding.

Pros and Cons of Pippu Japan

Pros
  • The lift tickets at the Pippu Ski Resort are super cheap and if you want to save even more yen, there are 4 hour tickets on offer which might be enough to charge at the trees.
  • Generally the Pippu ski resort has just a handful of people there, unless the school kids are visiting, or the defence force is doing some training (god knows what exactly they’re training for with those ridiculously old white skis on!).
  • Pippu is growing in popularity a little with tour groups, but there are still plenty of days where you’re unlikely to see many gaijin there stealing your fresh powder.
  • Pippu has some nice mellow off-piste skiing and easy to navigate sidecountry.
Cons
  • Pippu Hokkaido is a small ski resort and it’s unlikely to capture your attention for more than a day.

Pro or Con

  • It’s a low elevation ski area and it doesn’t necessarily get the same snow quality and quantity as the high profile Hokkaido ski resorts. The aspect is mostly SW facing but in the height of winter the temperatures are usually really cold so the sun doesn’t spoil the snow too much.

Pippu Ski and Snowboard Terrain

The local tourist organisation says that “this ski ground is a thrilling experience for all skiers from beginners to seasoned experts”. It’s fun on a deep powder day, but otherwise Pippu is overstating this little ski hill that has only 9 runs (courses), 330 metres of vertical (250-550m), and 3 lifts plus a small ropetow near the base. The yellow single chair is no longer in operation.

The official trail stats are 30% beginner, 50% intermediate and 20% advanced, but it is doubtful that international skiers and snowboarders would bother visiting Pippu Ski Resort to just ride on-piste. The real “thrill” is the off-piste and sidecountry, and route-finding is particularly easy so Pippu is well suited to powder hounds who are still learning the ropes. 

Where is Pippu Hokkaido?

Pippu Ski Area isn’t located on nearby Mt Pippu, but it is situated just north of the little town of Pippu in the Kamikawa District. It’s located just off the Hokkaido Expressway and Asahikawa-Monbetsu Expressway and the phone number for GPS navigation is 0166-85-3056.

Pippu is situated in Central Hokkaido 26km northeast of Asahikawa (35 minute drive), 66km northwest of Asahidake, and 51km northwest of Kurodake in Sounkyo.

If you don’t have a rental car or are not on a multi-day tour, it is possible to get to Pippu via public transport. There are about 5 buses per day between Asahikawa station and Pippu (check with Asahikawa tourism for the latest timetables) but the schedule is usually such that you won’t arrive in time for first lifts. The alternative is to catch the train to Pippu train station from where there are 3 buses per day to the ski area.

[AdListings collection="Japan" category="Pippu" subcategory="Activities Ski Tours"]

Pippu Accommodation

There are a few lodgings near the base of the ski area, one of which looks like it’s barely fit for the school kids to stay in!

Anya is a 1 bedroom self-contained chalet just across the road from the slopes, which sleeps up to 6 guests.

Yuyu Pippu is a reasonable hotel that is located adjacent to the ski area, and has western rooms with private bathroom, as well as Japanese style rooms and suites. The hotel also has a great onsen that day trippers can use.

Pippu Accommodation Listings 

Most people visiting Pippu stay in Asahikawa where they have the flexibility to visit other nearby ski areas, and enjoy the proliferation of restaurants and bars. Asahikawa hotels tend to provide very good value for money.

Asahikawa Hotel Listings

Ski Resort Facilities

There are two base areas at Pippu separated by a car park. One base is targeted towards beginners and the school kids that turn up in their droves, whilst the refurbished day lodge is more for intermediates and above. The latter has a well set-up cafeteria and food that is incredibly cheap.

Other Pippu ski resort amenities are basic and include an equipment rental shop and Japanese ski school.
Tours That May Include Pippu

Safari (Road Trip) Tours

Hokkaido Explorer Tour
FULLY GUIDED & HOSTED TOUR
12 Nights - 10 Ski Areas - 10 Days Skiing/Riding
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Chase the best conditions and snowfall in the side country at Hokkaido's best ski areas. Based in the city of Asahikawa, then Furano, Otaru & Niseko.
Price p/p From price based on twin/double-share option per person for first & last group tour for 2023-24 season.
Base/invoice currency is in Japanese yen inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 3,585
View Details
 
High Earnings
BACKCOUNTRY POWDER CHASING
8 Nights | 7 Guided Days
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Enter the powder room! Visit some of Hokkaido's most remote locations and best backcountry zones. This trip has a backcountry touring focus and the skins will probably go on every day but your group will be within reach of ski resorts if the weather isn't suitable for touring or the lift accessed pow looks too good!
Price p/p From price based on twin/triple-share 2023-24 season.
Price per person for a group of 5 with 1 guide for 9 day package. Base/invoice currency is in JPY inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 2,472
View Details
 
Inter Island Explorer Tour
MEGA POWDER CHASING ROAD TRIP
13 Nights | 11 Days Skiing/Boarding
Ability: Advanced to Expert
A big tour for the adventurous that takes in the islands of Hokkaido and Honshu, exploring the areas of Central Hokkaido, Otaru then Tohoku staying in Hakkoda area and Morioka. The ultimate road tripping powder hunting tour.
Price p/p From price based on twin/double-share option for 2024 season.
Base/invoice currency is in AUD inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 3,987
View Details
 
See all Safari (Road Trip) tours that visit Pippu here

Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area Tours

Central Hokkaido Tour
FULLY GUIDED & HOSTED TOUR
10 Nights | 8 Days Skiing/Riding
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Avoid the crowds and revel in the renowned high quality Central Hokkaido powder at Furano, Asahidake, Kamui Links, and hidden gems such as Pippu, Sahoro and Tomamu. Mostly lift accessed powder hunting, plus the option to do a little hiking to get more goods.
Price p/p From price based on twin/double-share group option for mid season 2024 tours per person.
Base/invoice currency is in Japanese yen inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 2,848
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Guided Day Tours
CENTRAL HOKKAIDO GUIDED DAY TOURS
For private groups of up to 6 participants
Ability: Intermediate to Expert
Looking for a guide for a day or more for yourself and up to 5 other friends from Furano? Terrain focus is off-piste, sidecountry & backcountry at destinations include Furano, Kamui, Asahidake, Tomamu, Pippu & Sahoro. Touring options at Furanodake, Tokahidake & Kurodake available. Enquire for details.
Price p/p
USD 84
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Central Hokkaido Guiding
GUIDED TRIPS AT/FROM FURANO
PRIVATE GROUPS of up to 6 guests
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
If you are in Furano with a group and want fresh tracks, head out with a Furano ski guide (or snowboard guide) at Furano or at one of the nearby ski areas or go backcountry touring with a guide. PRIVATE GROUPS ONLY of up to 6 guests i.e. you cannot join a group.
Price p/p From price based on PER PERSON rate for PRIVATE GROUP of 6 in peak season. Full rate is 110,000 yen for group of up to 6.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY in taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 123
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See all Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area tours that visit Pippu here

Backcountry Skiing Tours

Kamikawa Backcountry
NORTH CENTRAL HOKKAIDO BACKCOUNTRY
5 Nights | 4 Guided Ski Days
Ability: Advanced to Expert
This CUSTOMIZABLE private guided backcountry tour is based in the little town of Kamikawa in North Central Hokkaido which is well positioned for backcountry skiing/splitboarding at nearby mountain passes and Kurodake.
Price p/p From price based on twin/triple-share based on group of 5 with 1 guide (per person) 2023-24 season.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 1,467
View Details
 
See all Backcountry Skiing tours that visit Pippu here
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