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 9 am till 7 pm, with a fresh tracks offering from 8.30 am. 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 minimize 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 the 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 are 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 areas.
Mountain Stats
Skiable Terrain | 271 acres (110 hectares) |
Vertical | 610 m (2001 ft) |
Top Elevation | 1180 m (3871 ft) |
Base Elevation | 570 m (1870 ft) |
Average Snowfall | 1700 cm (669 in/55 ft) |
Beginner Terrain | 37% |
Intermediate Terrain | 37% |
Advanced Terrain | 26% |
Trails | 22 |
Parks | 1 |
Winter lifts Total | 10 |
Gondolas Trams | 1 |
Chair Lifts | 9 |
Lift Capacity | 15,600 |
Longest Run | 4 km (2.5 mi) |
Season Opens | December |
Season Closes | April |