The peak ski season will be here very soon.

You usually ski at nearby resorts or your home slopes, but this season, wouldn't you like to venture beyond Honshu?

So, this time, I'd like to introduce Kiroro Ski Resort, a very popular large-scale resort in Hokkaido.

We thoroughly investigated Kiroro Resort, including what kind of ski resort it is, whether it's suitable for beginners to advanced skiers, and whether it's family-friendly. We'll also provide detailed information about the resort itself.

We'll introduce all the charms of Kiroro Ski Resort, so please use this as a reference!

<Contents>
1. A detailed explanation of the Kiroro Resort ski area!
2. Participatory events are a must-see!
2-1. Beginners, hurry! A chance to ride with pro snowboarders has arrived!
2-2. Kids, come join us! Improve beyond your expectations at Annie Kids Ski Academy!
2-3. There are so many! You should definitely try snow activities!
3. Enjoy Kiroro Resort to the fullest! We'll introduce you to the food, activities, and hot springs!
~Eat~
3-1. Asari View Mountaintop Restaurant (Ski Slope/Gondola Summit Station)
3-2. Cafe Crest (adjacent to the end of the Nagamine First Lift)
~Playing indoors~
3-3. Granship
3-4. Indoor Activities: Nature Center
~Hot Springs~
3-5. Kiroro Onsen Forest Bath
3-6. Resort Pool
4. Other latest information on accommodations within the resort
5. Kiroro Resort Access Information
Afterword

1. A detailed explanation of the Kiroro Resort ski area!

Kiroro Ski Resort is a ski resort located within Kiroro Resort, a large resort located in Akaigawa Village, Yoichi District, Hokkaido.
Kiroro Resort, which can be enjoyed year-round, is attractive because you can experience activities that make full use of the terrain, climate, and nature during the green season and winter season.

First, one of the defining features of Kiroro Ski Resort is its top-class snowfall and powder snow within Hokkaido.
A large amount of snowfall means that it snows frequently, making it a ski resort that skiers will absolutely love, as they can enjoy plenty of high-quality powder snow.

With an elevation difference of approximately 610 meters, even those seeking an expert-level experience will find it thoroughly enjoyable. The thrill of cutting through the steep slopes while being drenched in snow spray is simply irresistible!

Furthermore, the longest run is approximately 4.5 km, allowing you to cruise slowly and leisurely while enjoying the scenery.

Overall, because it's a west-facing slope, the snow quality is good in the mornings as it doesn't get much sun, and the chances of the snow melting and becoming slushy are low. Being able to enjoy powder all day long is one of the reasons why it's loved by skiers and snowboarders.

The resort features both intermediate and advanced courses throughout, offering a variety of skiing and snowboarding experiences that will keep you entertained and prevent boredom.

There are a total of 21 courses, consisting of 7 beginner courses, 6 intermediate courses, and 8 advanced courses.

While the image is that beginners ski at the bottom and advanced skiers ski from the top, Kiroro Resort also has beginner courses that start from the top, so even those still practicing can ski while enjoying a magnificent panoramic view!

However, it's best to carefully check the map before skiing to avoid getting lost in the intermediate or advanced courses.

For powder snow, the Expert B course is the place to aim for, and the best time to go is first thing in the morning! Be sure to give it a try.

While riding the lift, it can be quite cold due to the cold wind and lack of movement. However, most lifts have hoods and footrests, so you can reach the summit without worrying too much about snowfall or the cold.

Enjoy a comfortable aerial stroll!

It's close to Sapporo (less than 1 hours) and Otaru (less than 50 minutes), which means you can spend more time at the resort and feel like you're getting a great deal! Let's play for as long as possible and make lots of memories!

2. Be sure to check out the participatory events!

2-1. Beginners, hurry! A chance to ride with pro snowboarders has arrived!

If you're thinking of starting snowboarding, now's the perfect time to go to Kiroro!

The beginning is crucial in everything. Even with your first time snowboarding, if your first impression is bad, you're unlikely to want to do it again.

The "Kiroro First Snowboard Session" is an event exclusively for beginners.
Now in its 12th season, this event features professional snowboarders who will guide you through your first snowboarding experience in a fun and engaging way.

They'll divide you into several groups and teach you the fun of snowboarding, so why not try snowboarding along with them while watching real snowboarding up close?

They're also holding a "First Time Snowboarding Experience" event for complete beginners and those trying snowboarding for the first time, so be sure to check it out!

<Kiroro First Snowboard Session of the Season>
Date: Sunday, August 2017, 12
Reservation start date: November 1, 2017 (Wednesday)
Time: Morning session (Registration: 8:30-9:00) / Morning session 9:30-11:00
Afternoon session (Registration: 12:00-12:30) / Afternoon session: 13:00-14:30
Participating professional: Kiroro Snowboarding Advisor
(Kumiko Taki, Shinichi Watanabe, Nozomi Kawada, Naohiro Yoshida DKC, Takamasa Imai, Mitsumi Fujimoto TERU)
Target audience: Snowboarders
Number of participants: 30 (Each person can only participate once)
Price: ¥1,000 (Lift tickets must be purchased separately) *Discount coupons available for session participants only
Registration location: Academy counter
For reservations and inquiries: 0135-34-7128
*Those wishing to participate in the "First Snowboarding Experience" (beginners only) should send an email to kumiko@935taki.com with the subject line "Kiroro First Snowboarding Experience Participation Request" and include your name, age, preferred session (morning or afternoon), whether you require equipment rental, and contact information. You will be contacted with further details at a later date.
*Reservations by phone are not accepted.

2-2. Kids, come join us! Improve beyond your expectations at Annie Kids Ski Academy!

This might be a good opportunity to leave it to the professionals.

Kiroro Ski Resort's kids' ski program, "Annie Kids Ski Academy," is a ski and snowboard school exclusively for children, originating in France.

You might be worried about your child becoming independent, but don't worry! A skilled professional will be there to guide them and teach them the joys of skiing!

With their meticulous lessons, they might come back having improved more than you expected! When they return, be sure to give them lots of praise!

Once you've discovered the joy of playing in the snow, it's time for lots of snow fun with the whole family!

Sliding is fun, but building snowmen and having snowball fights are also a lot of fun!

Let's have fun to our heart's content on the open and spacious slopes!

2-3. So many options!? You should definitely try snow activities!

At Kiroro Resort, you can experience a wide variety of activities.

Making its debut in Japan, the "Snow Segway" lets you experience the thrill of riding through the snow.

And don't forget to try snow buggies, which adults often find themselves engrossed in, and banana boats, the kind you see on the beach, but on the snow!

It's even more thrilling than being on water because it's slippery! It'll be a rare and unique experience♪

In addition, mini snowmobiles and snow rafts offer comfortable cruising through the snowy mountains!

At night, you can enjoy a night tandem ride on the back of a snowmobile instructor! There are many options, and they are all exciting and offer a completely new experience.

Why not try a different way to enjoy the snow than skiing or snowboarding, and add some variety to your snow-related activities?

~List of winter transportation options~
Snow Segway, Snow Buggy, Snow Banana Boat, Mini Snowmobile, Night Tandem, Snow Rafting
*Prices vary, so please check the official website for details.
Winter activities　https://www.kiroro.co.jp/ja/winter-activities/

3. Enjoy Kiroro Resort to the fullest! We'll introduce you to the food, activities, and hot springs!

~Eat~

3-1. Asari View Mountaintop Restaurant (Ski Slope/Gondola Summit Station)

Located at an altitude of 1,180m, "Asari View Mountaintop Restaurant" is a slopeside restaurant situated at the end of the Kiroro gondola lift.

As mentioned earlier, there are courses that even beginners can ski down from the summit, so you don't have to worry about not being able to go because you can't ski down!

This ski resort restaurant is great for a quick cup of tea, but it actually serves top-notch food too!
This restaurant offers a fantastic view while you warm up and enjoy a delicious meal, making your break time something to look forward to!

3-2. Cafe Crest (adjacent to the end of the Nagamine First Lift)

A stylish Scandinavian log cabin-style cafe nestled quietly like a mountain lodge.

This charming building, which opened in December 2014, has a cozy atmosphere with the scent of wood filling the air.

The shop also has a wide selection of menu items, including delicious coffee and light meals such as paninis and pita bread.

You can also enjoy cappuccinos, caramel macchiatos, and alcoholic beverages, making it a space where conversations flow so well that you might end up staying longer than planned, even if you only intended to take a short break!

Please give it a try!

~Playing indoors~

3-3. Granship

~A place where both children and adults can become engrossed~

Kiroro Resort has an all-weather amusement facility where you can enjoy a variety of activities.

Among them, the most popular is the authentic walk-through attraction where you search for clues to hidden treasure inside a medieval pirate ship. You can enjoy an adventure by overcoming challenges.

There are so many things to do, including escape games, IQ challenges, and interactive games that adults will find themselves engrossed in, as well as inflatable play equipment and a ball pit that even young children can enjoy to their heart's content!

Be sure to enjoy the unique and original facilities that Kiroro offers!

<Grandship>
Business period: November 2017, 12-May 2, 2018
Business hours: Weekdays 15:00 - 20:30 (Last reception 20:00)
Saturdays and the day before public holidays: 15:00 - 21:30 (last entry at 21:00)
Sundays and public holidays: 10:00 AM - 20:30 PM (last entry at 20:00 PM)
※特別営業：(12月23日～1月3日) 10：00～21：30(最終受付21：00)
*Registration closes 30 minutes before the start of each day.
Reception location: Granship
Price:
Adults and children: 1,200 yen per person, one-time admission.
1-day free pass: 1,500 yen per person
Target audience: Adults aged 12 and over, Children under 12 to 4 years old
Children aged 3 and under: One child free per adult aged 12 or over.
*Children under 12 years old must be accompanied by a guardian (fee applies).

3-4. Indoor Activities: Nature Center

Create lasting memories with these trendy gel candles!
Our crafting experiences, which are very popular with girls' trips, couples, and elementary school children, offer a wide variety of options for you to choose from.

The secret to its popularity lies in its "wide variety," offering a huge selection of options including gel candles, music box toppings, glass toppings, overglaze painting, button badges, and strap making!

Instead of buying something you want, you can take home a one-of-a-kind original piece through a hands-on crafting experience, so please give it a try!

<Indoor Activity Nature Center>
Business period: November 2017, 12-May 2, 2018
Business hours: 10:30-16:00 (Last reception 15:30)
Registration location: Nature Center
Duration: Approximately 30 to 40 minutes
Prices: Button badge making: 300 yen; Overglaze painting: 900-1,200 yen; Gel candle making, glass topping: 1,200 yen; Music box topping: 1,500 yen
Target audience: Young children must be accompanied by a guardian.

~Hot Springs~

3-5. Kiroro Onsen Forest Bath

At Kiroro Onsen Shinrin no Yu, you can enjoy hot springs that gush forth from the caldera plateau of Akaigawa Village.

The spring water is an iron(II)-containing sodium-calcium chloride-sulfate spring, which will warm you to the core after playing in the cold at the ski resort.

Furthermore, walking through the bathtub, which is densely packed with round stones, also provides a foot reflexology massage effect!
Enjoy the ultimate luxury by soaking in an open-air bath surrounded by the Kiroro forest.

<Yuyukan Kiroro Onsen Forest Hot Spring>
Winter season: November 22, 2017 - May 6, 2018
Morning: 06:30-09:30 (last entry 09:00)
Evening: 16:00 - 23:00 (Last entry 22:30)
Price:
Day trip (1 day free): Adults ¥1,200, Elementary school students ¥800, Toddlers ¥500
Free entry for hotel guests for one day: Adults ¥1,000, Elementary school students ¥700, Infants ¥400

3-6. Resort Pool

This resort pool, which can be enjoyed even in winter, is a full-fledged pool equipped with a jacuzzi and a sauna.

We have a 25-meter pool and a children's pool, so people of all ages can enjoy themselves!

This facility also offers a discounted combined ticket with Kiroro Onsen Shinrin-no-Yu, so be sure to enjoy both and experience a full resort atmosphere!

In addition, the resort facilities include spas, relaxation services, and fitness centers, so make the most of your free time and have a blast!

<Resort Pool>
Winter season: November 22nd to May 6th, 2018: 11:5 AM to 10.00:21.00 PM
Opening hours: 13:00 - 20:30 (Last entry: 20:00)
Price:
Day trip (1 day free): Adults ¥1,200, Elementary school students ¥800, Toddlers ¥500
Free entry for hotel guests for one day: Adults ¥900, Elementary school students ¥700, Infants ¥400
*The Kiroro Onsen Forest Bath + Resort Pool package is a great deal (Adults: ¥2,000 and up).

4. Other latest information on accommodations within the resort

Kiroro Resort boasts numerous unique and distinctive facilities. Its central hotel underwent a rebranding in 2015.

The hotel that was originally called "Hotel Piano" has been reborn as "Kiroro Tribute Portfolio Hotel Hokkaido," and the "Mountain Hotel" has been reborn as "Sheraton Hokkaido Kiroro Resort."

I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of relaxation it will offer! In particular, the "Tribute Portfolio" brand is Starwood Hotels' first new brand in the Asia Pacific region.
Since all of these hotels are high-class, you can expect impeccable hospitality!

5. Kiroro Resort Access Information

<Kiroro Resort Information>
Address:No. 128, Tokiwa 1, Akaigawa Village, Yoichi County, Hokkaido
Telephone number: 0135-34-7111
Lift ticket price: Adults 5,800 yen, Children 3,000 yen
URL:https://www.kiroro.co.jp/jp/winter/
<Access Information>
◆If you are traveling by car from New Chitose Airport
Chitose IC ► Hokkaido Expressway ► Sapporo JCT ► Sapporo-Otaru Expressway ► Asari IC ► Hokkaido Prefectural Road No. 1 ► Shinko 5-chome Intersection ► Hokkaido Prefectural Road No. 956 ► National Route 393 ► Kiroro Resort
◆If traveling by car from Sapporo
Sapporo West IC ► Sapporo-Otaru Expressway ► Asari IC ► Hokkaido Prefectural Road No. 1 ► Shinko 5-chome Intersection ► Hokkaido Prefectural Road No. 956 ► National Route 393 ► Kiroro Resort
◆If you are traveling by train (JR) from New Chitose Airport
New Chitose Airport Station ► JR Rapid Airport Train ► Otaru Station ► Local Bus ► Kiroro Resort
New Chitose Airport Station ► JR Rapid Airport Train ► Otaru Chikko Station ► Free Shuttle Bus ► Kiroro Resort
◆If you are traveling from Sapporo by train (JR)
・Sapporo Station (JR Ishikari Liner rapid train or JR Airport rapid train) ► Otaru Station ► Local bus ► Kiroro Resort
・Sapporo Station (JR Ishikari Liner rapid train or JR Airport rapid train) ► Otaru Chikko Station ► Free shuttle bus ► Kiroro Resort

Afterword

Kiroro Resort in Hokkaido boasts exceptional snow quality, easy access, and a wide range of activities, making it an absolutely perfect destination.

Everyone has different reasons for going to a ski resort in Hokkaido, but its appeal lies in its versatility, making it suitable for families, couples, and groups of friends alike. So please do come and visit!

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