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.