End of November this year ? I. Think in Japan the only snow resort may have snow is in hoikaido

sorry, don't really know answers to your questions

Hello Harriet s, There is a bus pickup at Keio hotel at one specific time by Hokkaidoi Resort Liner. The bus needs to be booked 9 days in advance. It's much better to walk to Sapporo Jr station at the bus terminal and pick up the hourly bus there. Less stress if you are late. Yes your child can ski alone. Has he/she skiied before? If not, I would recommend ski lessons, book early because there are limited English instructors. If your child skis alone, the runs are very long like over 2 km, maybe 3. If he/she takes the wrong lift or makes the wrong turn, he may end up at a difficult black diamond run. So it depends on the level of maturity. There are no ski patrols to help him/her. There is snow til May 6. You can stay at the ski lodge cafeteria to wait for your child, no fees or entrance costs for you. Lift tickets are 3600yen for adults and 1000yen for elementary school children march 26 onwards. Ski rental are extra. Locker fee extra. The bus is 2500yen return for adults and 1260yen for children.

Kokusai does not have accomodation. In winter season, many hotels run shuttles to this ski field. It's less than an hour from otaru