Seasoned Skier Revisits Sapporo to Share its Countless Delights with his Partner in Skiing and Life
Nick is back in Sapporo—this time with his wife, Robyn, who’s visiting Japan for the first time. Together they explore what makes the city special, from its unexpected similarities to home to its unique cultural experiences.
I’m Nick, an avid winter lover born and raised in Western Canada. I started skiing at six and gravitated toward freeskiing. At 17, a serious back injury nearly ended my ski career, but it led me down a new path—sharing my love for skiing through YouTube. That decision not only kept me on the slopes but also opened doors to ski around the world and collaborate with brands like Red Bull and Dopesnow. Best of all, I now get to experience these adventures with my wife, Robyn, by my side.
- CAN
Hairstylist Robyn Riemer
I’m Robyn, a Canadian hairstylist with a love for the outdoors. I grew up skiing and spending time in the wilderness, which sparked my passion for adventure. These days, when I’m not on the slopes, you’ll find me hiking, mountain biking, or wakeboarding. Beyond the outdoors, I love new experiences, culture, and cooking. I also frequently join my partner, Nick, on his YouTube channel, where we share our travels and adventures together.
Want city perks, Japanese culture, and some of the best skiing on the planet? Sapporo’s the place to be!
N: Of all the places I’ve skied around the globe, few offer what Sapporo does—a huge metropolitan area with wicked cafes, amazing breweries, world-class restaurants, awesome shopping, and comfortable hotels, all within one hour of some of the best snow and coolest ski resorts.
R: What stood out was how much there is to do beyond skiing. We packed in so many experiences and activities, and everything was so close. Even on the mountains, we enjoyed delicious, affordable food and visited shrines—there’s a piece of Japan everywhere you go.
N: In Canada, skiing often means missing out on a day in the city. Here, we could hit the slopes and still dive into Japan’s rich culture. Seeing the beautiful shrine architecture, which is so foreign to us, in a familiar setting like skiing was fascinating.
Despite being far from home, Sapporo feels very homey.
R: Feeling comfortable and safe is key when traveling, and Sapporo nails it. Everywhere we went, people were warm and welcoming.
N: We don’t speak Japanese, but you don’t need the language to feel the kindness and mutual respect in people’s expressions and body language—it’s like meeting up with a great uncle or aunt. I wish we saw more of that in West Coast culture.
R: Another part of Sapporo that felt like a slice of home was the craft beer scene. I didn’t realize that Sapporo had some amazing local craft breweries. Canada has a strong craft beer culture, and the beers we tried here were just as good—if not better!
N: In my travels, I haven’t come across many places that can reproduce a decent West Coast IPA, so finding one here that tasted wonderful was a delightful surprise.
Dinner in Sapporo is more than just a meal—it’s an experience that brings everyone together.
R: Back home, even a great meal is just that—a meal. Here, every dinner was an experience. At one sushi spot, the chef crafted our orders while chatting with us. We even interacted with a fellow patron at the restaurant. At a Genghis Khan restaurant, the lively atmosphere, smoky grills, and mouthwatering scent of lamb was unforgettable.
N: Meals here bring people together. To be gathered around the cooking device with your family or friends and sharing the moment over a quality meal is something that I wish we could reignite in the West.
We also had one mission: eat as much ramen as possible. We joke that we’d fly 18 hours just for a bowl—it’s that good. At the ski resorts, in town, even at the airport, there’s ramen everywhere and you will not be disappointed.
R: Nick is a ramen fiend—he finished everyone’s leftovers and even drank all the soup.
From snow-caked trees to ocean views, skiing in Sapporo pulls at the heartstrings.
N: The scenery is something else. The mountains are lower in elevation than Canada, with more deciduous trees. I love taking it all in—skiing huge piste runs, covering surprising vertical, and looking out over the ocean in the distance.
R: Being among the deciduous trees was really special—it’s an experience you just don’t get back home.
N: At Sapporo Teine, we hiked up to a shrine on a perfect bluebird day and saw Mount Yotei in the distance! I actually started my YouTube channel making videos about the game Steep, and Yotei was one of my favorite places to ski in the game. Seeing it in real life was surreal.
R: I pushed my limits here—tackling my toughest run at Sapporo Teine and landing my biggest jump at Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort. It was intimidating at first, but once I committed, it felt incredible.
N: It was progression’s playground for Robyn. The resorts here have offerings for all types of skier across the spectrum of difficulty and skill level.
If you want world-class skiing without sacrificing culture and food, Sapporo is the ultimate destination. It’s also a perfect base for exploring other Hokkaido resorts, making it a must-visit for any ski trip to Japan.
Veteran US pro snowboarder and coach JJ Thomas has spent three decades riding the best resorts around the world. After experiencing Sapporo, it quickly became one of his top three destinations, thanks to its unbeatable mix of epic snowboarding, vibrant city life, and endless things to do.
US pro snowboarder and halfpipe champion Toby Miller has tackled resorts across the globe. In Sapporo, he found it all—diverse terrain, meticulously groomed runs, and a welcoming community that made the experience even more unforgettable.
As key members of the online skiing hub Newschoolers, Switzerland-based Twig and Hanne live and breathe skiing, sharing their passion through writing and photography. In Sapporo, they found the best of both worlds—a vibrant urban scene and exciting mountainous terrain, all in one place.