Kiroro Ski Resort
Located in western Hokkaido, Kiroro is renown for being perfect for both intermediate & family skiing as well as deep powder thanks to a massive 20 metre plus average annual snowfall. The resort is renown for having some of the driest snow in the region as it is the first to be hit by the cold Siberian airflows responsible for Hokkaido’s phenomenal powder.
Kiroro’s ski field is easy to navigate and slopes are groomed to perfection, with many gentle beginner runs. Management also go the extra mile to ensure the visitor experience is seamless and particularly entertaining. (Ride a segway on the snow anyone?)
There is no town as such although the two upscale hotels at Kiroro’s base area are brimming with restaurants, shops, spas, bars and entertainment. The closest town is Otaru, a coastal port town about 40 minutes away, well worth a visit for fabulously fresh seafood, a mix of east and western architecture styles and a range of other attractions.
Kiroro Accommodation
There are two upscale hotels at the base of Kiroro – the ski-in ski-out Sheraton Hokkaido Kiroro and The Kiroro, a Portfolio Tribute Hotel a few minutes down the road. Both are impressive and as luxuriously appointed as any high-end city hotel. The Sheraton is sleek and modern, while The Kiroro’s grand marble foyer adorned with enormous chandeliers can be quite a surprise for newcomers to the resort not expecting such opulence in such a remote location.
Shuttles run every 10 minutes from The Kiroro Tribute Portfolio to the resort base. Both properties as well as the mountain base lodge feature a variety of restaurants, cafes, shops and bars.
New for 2017/2018 was the Ice Star Hotel & restaurant located directly across the road from The Kiroro. An impressive feature, it is a large structure built entirely of ice comprising a bar, restaurant and hotel. The adventurous can experience sleeping for a night under multiple furry covers in the albeit luxurious igloo-like hotel, while anyone can enjoy fondue in the Ice restaurant or visit the bar next door where drinks are served in ice-hewn glasses.
Kiroro Mountain & Ski Terrain
There are 8 lifts -5 high speed hooded lifts and 3 double lifts – plus the 2 mile (3.3km) long 6-person gondola Kiroro Gondola which travels to Asari Peak. Lifts open from 9am till 7pm, with a fresh tracks offering from 8.30am. The resort’s 22 marked ski runs are enhanced by a treasure chest of off piste options which require permission to enter by the ski resort office (more detail below). The off-piste skiing is “short, sharp and sweet” says Shinsetsu Guides’ owner Adam Streete who often brings his clients here.
Kiroro’s ski field ranges across two peaks with most lifts named and numbered to minimise confusion: on looker’s left is the more intermediate Nagamine Peak, with two eponymous express lifts. On the right is Asari Peak, accessed by the Kiroro Gondola, and a little further along, the Center Express and Yoichi No.1. These shorter lifts are the go if the gondola is closed due to (very welcome) blizzards. They also access Yoichi No. 2, Asari No. 1 and then Asari No. 2 which accesses the same elevation as the gondola.
Kiroro gets full marks from us for its “snow feature”and “Kiroro Banks” sections, mild versions of real mountain features like rollers and dips designed to introduce beginner and novice riders a taste of terrain other than groomers.
All abilities can ride the gondola together thanks to a lovely long 4km beginner trail meandering down from Asari Peak. This also means everyone can enjoy the spectacular vistas from the Asari View restaurant at top station. Those without off-piste permission can still jump into some real powder thanks to the large patch left untouched beneath the gondola called Powder Ride.
If it’s blizzarding in the morning, it’s easy to decide how long to stay in bed by checking Kiroro’s trail map on the resort website, which features moving dots to indicate operating lifts.
Off-Piste Rules
All off-piste areas within the ski area boundary – that is all runs outside the marked and groomed runs – are now officially open to all riders after Kiroro introduced a new backcountry policy on February 16 this year. Entry to all these areas is now clearly sign-posted, and all hazards such as cliffs and creeks permanently roped off. Anyone wishing to ski the backcountry outside the ski area however must still submit a “Climbing Plan” at the Mountain Club desk located in the base lodge. This is a legal requirement, and simply involves circling on a map the areas where you intend to go and lodging the document with the resort. Avalanche beacons, probes and shovels are also required.
It is well worth the few minutes of (compulsory) effort to lodge your Climbing Plan: Kiroro’s Facebook site reveals more than a few rave reviews from riders literally neck deep in Kiroro’s off-piste this 2017/2018 season.
How To Get To Kiroro
The easiest way is via coach shuttle from Chitose Airport. All resort shuttles leave from the domestic terminal. Passengers gather near shuttle counters about 10 minutes prior before having their names checked off and following a staff member carrying a resort sign to the correct bus.
Kiroro Ski School
Another big plus for Kiroro is its Annie Kids Ski School, the French outfit from Avoriaz world renown for its highly effective teaching methods based on combining fun with learning for children aged 3 to 12. Annie Ski School was the first of its kind in the world and is now the largest in Europe with Kiroro the first to take the concept overseas. Half and full day lessons with lunch and post skiing activities are available.
Everyone else can book into the Kiroro International Ski & Snowboard School which again is designed for maximum enjoyment and effectiveness: lessons are offered for a full 5 hour day for a maximum of 6 people. The Powder Academy, a specialised service for teaching people how to ski the deep snow, offers morning and afternoon and evening lessons for 1 to 3 people. Instructors come from the world over and English speakers are available.
Kiroro Things To Do, Activities & Tours
Kiroro offers so many off-snow activities it would be hard to check them all off even if you stayed off the mountain altogether. Many of the off-snow offerings are concentrated in and around the indoor/outdoor complex alongside The Kiroro Tribute Portfolio called “Kiroro Town”.
One of the most popular places is the Kiroro Onsen which was beautifully upgraded in December 2017, as well as the resort pool which is free for guests (it is typical for Japanese hotels to charge extra for pool use).
Activities on offer include snow shoe and snowcat tours, mini snowmobiles, snow banana boat, winter Segway on snow, fat biking, and karaoke. Kids are well catered for with the Snow Park playground, and inside the Granship facility filled with games, a puzzle maze, bouncing castle and more. Kids Ski Patrol Experience is new and shows them what the people in uniforms really do.
Snow Raft
Location: Nature Center
Who Needs Water When There Is Powder! Enjoy A Refreshing Ride On A Rafting Boat Hauled By The Snowmobile. It’s The Perfect Family Activity!
Snow Banana Boat
Location: Recreation Center
Come And Try Banana-Boat And Let The Adrenaline Go Through Your Veins. You Can Enjoy This Activity And Have Fun Until Mid Of April.
Kiroro Restaurants, Bars & Nightlife
On mountain eateries are the Asari View atop the gondola, the Crest at the base of Nagamine 2 and the Mountain Bar on the second floor of the base lodge for those after western-style snacks, meals and apres drinks with a view of the mountains. An expansive cafeteria on the first floor overlooking the slopes offers typical warming Japanese fare such as ramen and dumplings. Kickstart your morning with excellent coffee and a hearty toasted sandwich at the Aussie-run Black Diamond Café just inside the base lodge entrance.
The two hotels offer an array of restaurants and eateries from café-style to upscale Japanese, sushi, steak, Italian, buffet-style and more. The Popke Lounge and Bar at The Kiroro next to the snow park is the go-to nightlife spot, serving cocktails and karaoke on selected nights.
Asari View
Location: Mt. Asari
Food: Japanese Cuisine/Hot Drinks
Bar: No
Phone: +81 138-23-0421
“Rivierouge” World Buffet
Location: 1f Sheraton Kiroro Resort
Food: Japanese, Indian, Seafood
Bar: Yes
Phone: +81 135-35-3128
Lobby Lounge
Location: 1f Sheraton Kiroro Resort
Food: Japanese/Western Cuisine
Bar: Yes
Mountain Cafe & Lounge
Location: 2nd Floor, Mountain Center
Food: Snacks And Liquors
Bar: Yes
Phone: +81 135-35-3128
“Hokki” Robata Grill
Location: 2f Sheraton Kiroro Resort
Food: Japanese Cuisine
Bar: No
Phone: +81 135-35-3128
Cafeteria Lumiere
Location: 1f Sheraton Kiroro Resort
Food: Japanese Cuisine
Bar: No
Kiroro Shopping
Stores are contained within the hotel complexes. The Kiroro offers a large ”Resort Market” selling everything from fast food and alcohol to souvenir; the “Hotel Shop” with drinks and commodities, and The North Face for clothing. The Sheraton has a Hotel Shop with drinks and conveniences, while the Mountain Centre offers a ski and
Ski Shop Vainqueur
Location: 1st Floor Mountain Center
Shop: Outdoor Apparels/Ski And Snowboarding Goods
Kiroro Rental Shop
Location: 1st Floor Mountain Center
Shop: Ski And Snowboarding Goods