Canada’s flag carrier is finally putting Hokkaido within non-stop reach. Here’s the scoop and why Sapporo deserves to be on top of your ski season bucket list.
Dust off the ski gear: Air Canada is finally giving you a direct line to Hokkaido, Japan’s snow capital. Starting 17 December 2026, the airline will fly three times weekly between Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport (CTS) marking Air Canada’s first-ever seasonal service to Hokkaido. Frankly, it’s about time.
The route runs through to 26 March 2027, perfectly timed to drop you straight into peak Japow season. For anyone who’s spent years doing connections in Tokyo or Osaka just to get to a chairlift in Sapporo, this is the upgrade you’ve been waiting for.
What should I expect from the Air Canada flight to Sapporo?
Flights operate on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner with the full menu of cabin choices — Signature Class, Premium Economy, and Economy. The Dreamliner is notably comfortable for long-haul flights, offering better cabin pressure, bigger windows, and less of that “I’ve-been-in-a-tin-can-for-10-hours” feeling.
Flying westbound, you’ll catch AC55 out of Vancouver three afternoons a week (Monday, Thursday, Saturday at 1:25pm), touching down in Sapporo just in time for dinner the following day. Going back, AC54 leaves Sapporo on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday evenings at 7:55pm, which is enough time for one last plate of fresh sushi (or steaming bowl of ramen if you prefer) before the airport.
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Why should I visit Sapporo?
Sapporo is known abroad for its beer (yes, that Sapporo) but the city is really the front door to one of Japan’s most amazing winter destinations. Every February, the city hosts Sapporo Snow Festival where ice sculptures, the scale of small cathedrals, come together.
Beyond the city, the lovely onsen towns of Noboribetsu (about 108 km south) and Jozankei (just 26 km from the city centre) are worth exploring. In terms of sights, the otherworldly blue ponds of Biei (around 150 km northeast), and the canal-lit evenings of Otaru (a quick 40 km west) are musts for any itinerary.
The city itself and the wider region of Hokkaido are celebrated for seafood. From uni to hairy crab, it boasts produce that chefs in Tokyo and beyond look for.
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Where else can I visit aside from Sapporo?
Sapporo is a great soft landing, but the real reason you’re flying eleven hours? The city’s New Chitose Airport sits perfectly between three of Japan’s most loved ski regions — Niseko, Furano, and Rusutsu.
Each one offers a different flavour of Japow. Called the “Aspen of Asia”, Niseko is the most well-known and comes with the deepest bench of restaurants and bars. Rusutsu, on the other hand, has wide-open slopes and is well-loved by ski instructors. Meanwhile Furano has a more local vibe with smaller, authentic restaurants (and generally shorter lift queues). Pick one or do what we do — choose all three for a proper Hokkaido trip.
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Where to stay in Hokkaido?
In Niseko, Jade Rabbit in Ginto Village offers the best of both worlds: chalet seclusion with Hirafu just down the road. There’s also Kazahana at Hanaridge, which has architect-led design and forest views within a five-bedroom retreat in Hanazono. For something more social, the sleek Sekka Sekka in Middle Hirafu is made for groups who are really into après-ski with the buzzy bars and restaurants at your doorstep.
Over in Rusutsu, The Vale Rusutsu drops you straight onto one of Hokkaido’s most underrated mountains, no shuttle required. And in Furano, Fenix Furano is steps from Kitanomine Zone — your front-row seat to long runs in winter and lavender fields in summer.
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This is the second non-stop North American link to Sapporo this season, with United Airlines launching out of San Francisco around the same time. For Canadians, however, nothing is more convenient than flying out of Vancouver itself. With Vancouver International Airport’s (YVR) reach across Canada and the Pacific Northwest, expect this route to fill up fast.
Air Canada has also hinted at more new Japan destinations for the 2026/27 winter season, so consider this just the beginning. Looking forward to the best ski trip yet? The Luxe Nomad shows a glimpse of what you can do to make your stay even more worthwhile.
Don’t escape the rush:
5 Must-Visit Mount Yotei Winter Photo Spots in Niseko
The Ski Tribes of Niseko: People You’ll Meet On and Off the Slopes
Niseko Après-ski Guide 2026: The Best Bars and Izakayas To Hit This Winter