Sapporo at Christmas

[k_sheep]

After advice. We are heading to Sapporo for Christmas (leave on the 23rd December, haven't booked a flight back yet, but imagine it will be 1st or 2nd return). I've been to Niseko once and loved it. Looking at prices booking this far out though, I swallowed my tongue a fair bit - over $900 a night for a standard hotel room! I'm happy to pay a peak surcharge but that's a bit rich. It looks like some places haven't opened up their availability for then yet though?

So wondering if the Japan-o-philes on the forum have suggestions? Either for other options around Niseko, or elsewhere around Sapporo. Looking for somewhere with good beginner level ski runs. Either hotel / B+B / anything other than dorm rooms really - and particularly curious about self contained or options for groups, because we have another 4 adults + 4 kids who are contemplating coming too.

 

[Hvr]

Have you looked at Otaru? Or Otaru-Chikko? I went to a skiing place a suburban bus ride from Otaru. Purely for sight seeing but there was a ski lift etc.

 

[Hvr]

It gets down to approximately -6. maybe some thermal underwear if you feel the cold. Otherwise just warm and windproof clothes that you can remove layers as required. A thermal beanie and sunglasses are essential.

For shoes, have something with grip. No smooth soles, or you'll slip just like in the cartoons.

Enjoy, it's a beautiful area,

 

[Matt_01]

Following on from what @Hvr mentioned it can be cold but not unbearable we have been there a few times in winter. Sapporo has many underground walkways to and from the main station, it is like a subterranean city with shops everywhere. From experience thermals under jeans and shirt are fine, the key in any cold climate is thin layers, a jacket, gloves, beanie or some type of headband to protect your ears and sunglasses.

Rubber sole shoes with grip are the best option when moving between indoors and outdoors, on the streets snow turns to slush and then freezes. Black ice is very slippery and MrsM learnt this on her first visit when fashion outweighed practicality and slipped 'just like in the cartoons'. Also some hotels will provide free warmer packs, these are essentially a small satchel full of some type of gell agents that when crushed warm up and can be slipped into gloves, boots etc.

For those that have posted you are travelling with kids, just be careful around parks and generally deep snow. Nothing to get to alarmed about but kids will be kids and jumping into deep fluffy snow and creating snow angles is fun. The snow covers everything be it park benches, bollards, chains etc. and if landed on by accident can cause harm.

I posted a few photos from the 2019 Sapporo Snow Festival here. The photos should give you some indication of the clothing required.