Golden State skiers can soon jet halfway across the world to get their fix with the announcement of nonstop flights from the Bay Area to an iconic ski destination of Sapporo, Japan.
United recently announced that it will offer three direct flights weekly from San Francisco International Airport to Sapporo on the island of Hokkaido starting in December 2026 — marking the first nonstop service from the continental US to the Japanese city.
The service runs through March 27 with flights offered during the peak winter season to Sapporo, which is a “snow metropolis” boasting several popular ski resorts, according to the city’s tourism website.
It’s “the only city in the world with a population nearing 2 million that receives five meters of snowfall each year” — or nearly 200 inches.
“From skiing and snow activities to breathtaking wintry scenery and vibrant events, you can enjoy winter to your heart’s content right here in the city,” the website added.
The city boats numerous ski resorts, including Sapporo Kokusai Skiing Resort, Sapporo Teine, Sapporo Moiwayama Ski Area, Sapporo Bankei Ski Area and more.
Flights starting in December for the 11-hour trip will cost $1,500, climbing to $1,700 by March, according to the airline.
The airline will also add daily year-round service between Chicago and Tokyo-Narita starting in October, noting that it is the “only U.S. airline offering nonstop service between Chicago and Tokyo-Narita.”
“Whether customers are dreaming of skiing in Sapporo, planning a business trip to Tokyo with some exploration added in, or an even bigger adventure across Asia, United gives travelers more ways to get there than any U.S. airline,” Patrick Quayle, Senior Vice President of Network Planning and Global Alliances, United Airlines said in the release.
Fro Californians, resorts on the Nevada border in Lake Tahoe and other ski destinations scattered throughout the Sierra Nevadas have struggled in the past with the lack of powder from Mother Nature.
Earlier this year, numerous resorts in the state closed early due to unseasonably warm temperatures.
“Tahoe is kind of the go-to, but we didn’t go this season because it was so expensive and there was no good date for us,” San Ramon resident Scott Yin-who skis in Japan-told KQED. “Compared to Sapporo, where there’s way more choice.”