Happiness was written all over Mladen’s face, even though it was mostly hidden by the ice-covered snood and helmet as he pulled down the plexiglass chairlift to protect us from the horizontal snowfall. My instructor said, “Do you want to try some powder, Mike?” asked.
A thick blanket of snow had fallen over Kiroro overnight, transforming the forested hills and mountains in this corner of Hokkaido into a winter wonderland. A meter of the white stuff would accumulate in just 24 hours, and this was only mid-December. Due to its proximity to the Sea of Japan, Kiroro’s 1,180-meter peak has a staggering average snow depth of 21 meters. This is more than seven times the average in most of the French Alps.
Japan’s northern island is heaven on earth for skiers longing for untamed powder conditions. And it can certainly lay claim to being the friendliest place to ski in the world. Where else is it customary for chairlift attendants (a mostly grumpy bunch) to greet you with a broad smile and hello (“konnichiwa”) when you get on, and thank you as you disembark (“arigato gozaimasu”).
The previous day, under Mladen’s expert supervision, snow conditions – the classic “fresh layer on solid ground” – proved perfect for learning fast long hairpins and short bunny-hop-style turns on steeper sections across the resort’s 23 runs. Today was wild in comparison. I had difficulty maintaining control of my skis on the thick powdery ground, which would give way to smoother sections before shifting gears again. Progress was much slower as we battled -15C temperatures and horizontal snowfall. Despite the frequent facial transplants, I had a lot of fun.
When we took our last chairlift ride to Club Med Kiroro Grand, Mladen nearly hit another skier in the face with his stick as he tried to give us final instructions on the way back. His boundless enthusiasm was infectious and exactly what I needed to improve my technique.
Within minutes I was back at Kiroro Grand’s ski room, locking up my belongings before going for a long swim in the hotel’s onsen. There are thousands of traditional hot spring baths in Japan, and Club Med Kiroro has its own hot springs, including outdoor pools. There are separate bathroom areas for men and women, and it is customary not to wear any clothing. This is an incredibly relaxing après-ski ritual; The more traditional après-ski in the hotel bar is something that – for us Europeans – prepared me perfectly, exchanging stories from the slopes over beer, mulled wine or cocktails while watching the snow fall. outside.
The main bar, lounge and entertainment area is the beating heart of Kiroro Grand. It’s the perfect place to stretch your legs on the couch with a good book when you take a break from skiing during the day. In the evenings, a variety of shows are staged throughout the week that appeal to all ages – magicians, comedians, singers, DJs, gymnasts – and Club Med staff, often known as “friendly organisers”, strive to make you feel welcome and welcome. Everything is as easy as possible for guests.
“Easy” forms the basis of the Club Med offer. Every parent with young children knows how difficult it is to get what everyone really wants from a vacation: rest and relaxation. Club Med is designed to help adults get away with just that. Ski lessons are offered for children aged four and over, while the kids’ club inside the hotel is a wonderful nursery for children aged two and over, filled with soft play, games, books and plenty to keep kids occupied.
When it comes to dining, Kiroro Grand’s team of expert chefs prepare a wide variety of extremely high-quality options for the family-friendly all-inclusive concept. You’ll spend most of your time at Yoichi, the main buffet restaurant, which offers a mix of Asian and Western dishes. Asian options range from build-your-own ramen, sashimi and katsu curry to giant Hokkaido crab and delectable dim sum, while a wide range of salads, such as beetroot carpaccio with goat cheese and spring onions, are particularly delicious and kid-friendly. European specialties such as pizza and pasta are also available.
The restaurant is divided into four dining areas; This, along with the extensive dining options, means you’re less likely to experience that feeling of over-familiarity towards the end of the holiday that often comes with all-inclusive resorts. Your wristband also gives you access to The Ogon, an Asian specialty restaurant specializing in hotpots, while you can also dine at The Kaen yakiniku (grilled meat) and Ebisi sushi restaurants for an additional fee.
Kiroro Grand is aptly named. The 281 rooms are spread over 11 floors overlooking a cavernous atrium. Rooms feature Club Med’s signature interior touches: pastel-toned sofas and carpets, oak paneling, beautiful prints. The hotel was originally built by Yamaha, and echoes of its earlier incarnation remain in the masterful sheet music detail on the pianos around the property and on the elevator doors. It’s also decidedly Japanese (hello, heated toilet seats and vending machines!). A number of rooms are in traditional tatami style.
As tempting as it may be to stay in the warm, soft embrace of the resort, it’s worth spending an afternoon in nearby Otaru. The historic coastal city is known for being a center of glassmaking, as well as for its beautiful canal that you can enjoy on a boat trip. Sankaku market is a 10-minute walk from the canal and numerous craft shops and museums. When you step into the market from the quiet street, with its bustling seafood stalls and locals waiting to dine at small sashimi restaurants, it feels like you’re entering another world.
Although Japan is known as an expensive destination for UK travelers, the favorable exchange rate means you can enjoy a delicious lunch with a beer or bottle of sake for under £20.
The chance to sample Japan’s unique culture, with its incredible cuisine and unrivaled hospitality, includes a longer break among the snowy mountains of Hokkaido and a week visiting Tokyo and perhaps one or two of Japan’s fascinating cities such as Kyoto, Nara and Nara. allows you to pass. Despite the long-haul flight, Yokohama is a dream trip for this winter sports enthusiast.
Where powder snow is guaranteed along with unforgettable memories.
Detail
A seven-night all-inclusive stay at Club Med Kiroro Grand starts from £1,979 per adult excluding flights (based on double occupancy) or £4,186 per adult including return flights and transfers from Heathrow. Price is based on a March 24, 2024 release date. Book now at clubmed.co.uk or call 03453676767.
Five more exotic ski resorts
Morocco
At 3,268 meters high in the Atlas Mountains, Oukaimeden looks like the French Alps. But this ski area has only two lifts, serving some of the most stunningly beautiful ski areas in the world. The souks of Marrakech are less than two hours away by car.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Where my instructor Mladen learned to ski. The country offers 141 kilometers of slopes in 22 different resorts. These include Jahorina, just 27 km from Sarajevo. The 1,900-meter mountain in the Diarnic Alps hosted the women’s alpine skiing competitions at the 1984 Winter Olympics. It is also one of the cheapest ski resorts in Europe; Expect to pay around £1 for a beer.
Argentina
The snow quality at Cerro Castor, Latin America’s southernmost ski resort in the heart of Tierra del Fuego, is so good that some professional Europeans choose to do their summer training there. Featuring 120 km of ski slopes, the resort has the capacity to handle 35,000 skiers per hour and boasts impressive views of Nahuei Huapi lake.
South Africa
Tiffindell, in the Drakensberg mountains, is one of two ski resorts in South Africa (the other is in nearby Lesotho). It was once ranked 19th on CNN’s top 100 ski slopes in the world.
Cyprus
Believe it or not, this summer holiday destination also appeals to winter sports fans. The 2,000-metre Mount Olympus in the Troodos Range offers a modest four kilometers of slopes, but the challenging North Face ski area has hosted a number of international competitions.