Otaru Tenguyama Ski Resort

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Otaru Tenguyama Ski Resort

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Otaru Tenguyama

Otaru Tenguyama4/53
Otaru Tenguyama4 out of 5 based on 3 reviews
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Wagner Custome Skis

Otaru Tenguyama

Otaru Tenguyama Ski Resort is unlikely to blow your mind and become the new “it” powder skiing spot in Hokkaido. The Otaru Tengu ski resort definitely isn’t a destination resort where you could park yourself for a week, considering that you can count the number of trails on one hand. Don’t completely dismiss this little ski area though, because it can be a lot of fun for a day, it has some steep tree skiing, and on weekdays it sometimes feels like your own private ski resort.

Located on the outskirts of the seaside town/city of Otaru, the Otaru Tenguyama Ski Resort can be a good pick when the storms are blowing (but not straight off the ocean) and nearby ski areas such as Kiroro have the main lifts closed. 

Pros and Cons of Otaru Tenguyama

Pros 
  • The Tenguyama ski area and the restaurant offer amazing views on fine days across the city of Otaru and Ishikari Bay, and in the evenings the views are particularly impressive.
  • It has some decent gradient for a Japanese ski resort, and whilst the steep lines are not particularly long, the tree skiing is mostly fall line.
  • Competition for fresh tracks is usually insignificant.
  • Lift tickets are inexpensive.
  • Base yourself in Otaru and you can combine the Tengu Ski Resort with other Otaru ski areas, some of which are very very snowy.
  • Otaru lodging provides very good value for money.
Cons
  • The terrain is mini sized and with only 5 courses (ie piste), it’s only good for a half day, or if there’s fresh powder, a day or two.
Pro or Con Depending On Your Perspective
  • The Otaru Ski Resort has a relatively low elevation, so snow quality is generally not as abundant or as optimal as neighbouring ski resorts with higher elevation (e.g. Kiroro). Sometimes the low altitude can be advantageous during windy conditions when the Kiroro gondola is closed. And whilst it doesn’t receive as much snowfall as Kiroro, there is about 1/100th the number of gaijin.
  • Otaru has become quite popular with tourists, and sometimes there can be lots of pedestrians heading up the cable car to look at the views.

Otaru Tenguyama Ski and Snowboard Terrain

The Otaru Ski Resort is rather petite with 5 runs across a vertical of 410 metres (122–532m). The ski area is serviced by the Otaru Tenguyama Ropeway, which is used by tourists gawking at the views, as well as a pair lift that runs the vertical of the ski area, and an ancient single “pizza box” chair at the top for beginners.

The official trail statistics are 50% beginner, 20% intermediates & 30% advanced. Beginners have a very mellow area above the Otaru Tenguyama Ropeway where they can appreciate the vistas. There is also a green course that runs the full vertical, but it’s a little pitchy for novices. Intermediates only have a couple of trails and one of them has a steep moment, whilst the other is appropriately rated but déjà vu will set in.

The black rated courses either side of the ropeway (cable car) are delightfully steep and hit 40 degrees plus before mellowing out. As to be expected, the off-piste skiing in this zone is also steep, and it can be a little avalanche prone (particularly to the skiers’ right) and develop glide cracks. The ski patrollers don’t see too many powder hounds foraging for powder, so play it discretely and try to stay away from the lines under the lifts.

Where is Otaru Tenguyama?

The Otaru Tenguyama Ski Resort sits on the flank of Tengu-yama and is located 3.3km southwest of Otaru train station. The town of Otaru is located 36km northwest of Sapporo, and can be used as a base to visit other nearby ski areas such as Kiroro, Asarigawa, Sapporo Kokusai and Sapporo Teine.

Being on a multi-day or single day guided tour or having a rental car provides the most flexibility to get around the area. The telephone number for GPS navigation is 0134-33-7381, and hopefully the snow tyres on the car are reasonable because the road up to the ski area is rather steep.

If you don’t have wheels, you can travel to Otaru Tenguyama Ropeway via cheap bus from the Otaru train station or Otaru bus canal terminal, which takes about 15 minutes.

Otaru Accommodation

There are a few lodging options within walking distance of Otaru Tenguyama, but you might as well stay downtown considering that you’re not likely to spend multiple days skiing at Tengu.

There are plenty of centrally located Otaru hotels which provide the advantage of access to explore the city and its many restaurants.

The Dormy Inn Premium is an Otaru hotel that is very nice, yet affordable, and it's located only one minute walk from the Otaru train station.

Another top pick is OMO 5 Otaru Hotel, which is very well located and is just 1 minute walk away from a bus stop to get to the Tengu Ski Resort.

Otaru Hotel Listings

Ski Resort Facilities

Pedestrian tourists head up the Tenguyama Ropeway, so whilst the amenities at the top are well established, the facilities near the base for skiers and snowboarders are rather primitive.

Ski and snowboard lessons are available with Japanese speaking instructors from two different ski schools (like one wasn’t enough!) and there are private ski lessons available in English. There are basic equipment rentals, and in addition to an unwelcoming little cafeteria, there is an ATCO hut for day trippers with kerosene heaters (those heaters just seem so dodgy!).

Head up the ropeway and you’ll find Restaurant Tengu that offers fabulous views and standard cafeteria fare. There’s the obligatory retail shop selling cheesy souvenirs and gift boxed food, and you can head into Tengu House that has about 700 masks of long nosed Tengu goblins on display. The goblin has the magical power to grant wishes to protect people from harm. Touch the long nosed Tengu and make your wish come true (hopefully your wish is for lots of powder). You should also visit the ski museum whilst you’re there.

Tengu also has a snow park for tobogganing.
Tours That May Include Tengu

Safari (Road Trip) Tours

Hokkaido Storm Chaser
GUIDED STORM CHASING SAFARI
7 Days | 6 Nights | 6 Ski Areas
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
Chase the storms and access the deepest and best quality snow conditions on the day in the Otaru area and Central Hokkaido's world famous deep dry powder.
Price p/p Displayed price may cary slightly due to exchange rates fluctuations
Base/invoice currency is JPY
Price includes 13% tax.
Base/invoice currency is JPY
Price includes 13% tax.
USD 3,121
View Details
 
Hokkaido Safari
GUIDED POWDER PROGRESSION ROAD TRIP
12 Days | Up to 11 Days Guided Skiing/Riding
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Explore multiple Hokkaido ski areas on this amazing powder progression adventure for advanced to expert skiers & boarders. Locations include the Otaru/Sapporo & Furano ski areas. Groups of up to 4 guests are guided by 1 guide. From price is based on twin share in deluxe western-style room.
Price p/p From price based on double-share room staying at La Vista Furano Hotel & Dormy Inn Premium Otaru; 4 on tour for 2025 season.
Base/invoice currency is in USD inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 4,345
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Southern Hokkaido Powder Tour
HOSTED & GUIDED ADVENTURE
10 Nights - 8 Days Guided Skiing/Riding
Ability: Advanced to Expert
The Southern Hokkaido region scores the most snow and with this lift accessed sidecountry tour you'll get to explore the best ski areas. 3 nights in Otaru, 5 nights in Hirafu Niseko & 2 nights in Hakodate. Share
Price p/p From price based on twin/double-share option for last group tour for 2024-25 season.
Base/invoice currency is in Japanese yen inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 4,046
View Details
 10% off price for Dec 28 tour if you book before Nov 22
See all Safari (Road Trip) tours that visit Otaru Tenguyama here

Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area Tours

Niseko Guiding
GUIDING IN/FROM NISEKO or OTARU
For PRIVATE GROUPS ONLY of up to 5 guests
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
If you are in Niseko or Otaru with a group, a day or multiple days of guiding at Niseko or nearby ski areas will make sure you get to the powder stashes (off-piste, sidecountry or backcountry). PRIVATE GROUPS ONLY of up to 5 guests (i.e. you cannot join a group).
Price p/p From price based on a PER PERSON rate per day for PRIVATE group of 5 in peak season. Full price is 130,000 yen for group in peak season for 24/25.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY in taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 177
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Niseko Lessons
ON & OFF-PISTE LESSONS AT/FROM NISEKO
For PRIVATE GROUPS ONLY of up to 4 guests
Ability: Beginner to Advanced
Whether you are an absolute beginner skier or snowboarder, or are more advanced looking to improve your powder skiing/riding ability, this program is ideal. PRIVATE LESSONS ONLY of up to 4 guests (i.e. you cannot join a group). Share
Price p/p From price based on a PER PERSON cost per day for PRIVATE group of 4 in peak season with on-snow meeting. Full price is 90,000 yen for group for 2024-25 season.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY in taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 153
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 10% off lessons for Opening – 15 DEC, 6 – 21 JAN, 8 FEB – 31 MAR 2025 - book before Nov 30
Otaru Freeride Tour
GUIDED POWDER CHASING TOUR
7 Days | 6 Nights | 5 Days Riding
Ability: Advanced
Chase Hokkaido's biggest storms from the seaside city of Otaru where you'll get a unique cultural perspective being based in a regional city. By night explore the lively food culture and by day head to lift-accessed areas of nearby ski resorts that are renowned for getting some of the most snow in Japan.
Price p/p
USD 2,990
View Details
 
See all Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area tours that visit Otaru Tenguyama here
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