2017 Sapporo Asian Winter Games and Your Trip to Niseko!
What are the Asian Winter Games and all the details you might need to catch a glimpse of them during your Niseko Ski Vacation!
Asian Winter Games Logo.
2017 Asian Winter Games are Coming to Hokkaido!
The Asian Winter Games are returning to Sapporo this coming year. 2017 will mark the eighth time that the international event will be hosted, the fourth time it will be be hosted in Japan, and the third time that the event will be hosted in Sapporo, Hokkaido! Unfortunately, this coming year, none of the events are slotted to be hosted in the Niseko area, but we will likely have our fill should Sapporo win its bid for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games! Either way, if your stay overlaps with the games, you might find that catching an event or two in Sapporo could make for an exciting day trip to break up your time on the slopes!
Map of past host cities. Green countries have hosted one Asian Winter Games, blue countries have hosted two or more Asian Winter Games.
Image taken from Wiki Commons, author Bill William Compton.
When and where will the 2017 Sapporo Asian Winter Games be held?
The 2017 Sapporo Asian Winter Games begin February 17, officially opening on February 19, and run until February 26. If you are planning a stay in Niseko in or around that time, you just might be able to capitalize on the timing and catch an event or two! The majority of the venues are either directly in Sapporo City or it's surrounding city wards, but the speed skating is being hosted in Obihiro city, located in western Hokkaido. The event schedule is detailed below and can be viewed on the organizing committees website, it is noted that the schedule has not yet been finalized and changes can occur at any time.
The Opening Ceremony will be held in Sapporo Dome.
Why should I check out the games?
If you are a fan of sporting events or want to check out professional athletes at their best, then this is an event not to miss! Sure, it might not have the international prestige of the Olympic games, but it also doesn't have the price tag! Tickets officially go on sale on September 12 but they range in price from around 500 yen to 3500 yen depending on the event. Some events, alpine skiing, freestyle skiing, and snowboarding to name a few, are even free of charge! Opening Ceremony tickets range from 500 yen to as much as 8500 yen.
If you are only staying in Niseko for a short period of time, you might not want to sacrifice a half or full day on the slopes, but if you are planning a longer stay in mid-to-late-February and think you might want to have an off day or two, then this could be one of the most unique ways you could add some excitement to your trip! What better way is there to start or end off your stay in Niseko than with catching an event or two at an international sporting competition?
Event Dates and Venues
| Event | Venue | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Opening Ceremony | Sapporo Dome | February 19 |
| Alpine Skiing | Sapporo Teine Ski Area | February 22, 23, 24 and 25 |
| Biathalon | Nishioka Biathlon Stadium | TBD |
| Cross Country Skiing | Shirahatayama Open Stadium | TBD |
| Curling | Sapporo Curling Stadium | February 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 |
| Figure Skating | Makomanai Indoor Skating Rink | TBD |
| Freestyle Skiing | Sapporo Bankei Ski Area | February 24 and 26 |
| Ice Hockey | Tsukisamu Gymnasium, Mikaho Gymnasium, and Hoshioki Ice Skating Rink | TBD |
| Short Tracks Speed Skating | Makomanai Indoor Skating Rink | February 20, 21 and 22 |
| Ski Jumping | Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium and Miyanomori Ski Jump Stadium | February 21, 24 and 25 |
| Snowboarding | Sapporo Teine Ski Area and Sapporo Bankei Ski Area | February 19, 20 and 25 |
| Speed Skating | Obihiro Forest Speed Skating Oval | February 20, 21, 22 and 23 |
| Closing Ceremony | Makomanai Indoor Skating Rink | February 26 |
For the most up-to-date event schedule and general information about the event.
*TBD:Schedule details will be announced at a later date on the official website of 2017 Sapporo Asian Winter Games
*Competition schedule is subject to change without notice. Please check the official website for updated information and details.
