Kiroro, Hokkaido
More light powder than Niseko, extensive terrain in a contained mountain valley and advanced apres ski amenities make Kiroro the most powdery of resorts where all members of a family traveling together can be entertained.
With two branded hotels (a Sherateon and Tribute Hotel) and a luxury condominium (Yu Kiroro), all lodging options in Kiroro facilities a ski in, ski out experience. An extensive lift system opens up both on piste and impressive side country, and the enclosed valley close to the Sea of Japan opens up microclimates that pulls in shredders from other resorts when the pickings are bare on what are otherwise known as powderhorns. Without a real town minutes from the base, the restaurants at Kiroro suffice for quality and selection, but you never feel like you descend from a full destination resort atmosphere. The apres ski experience is enhanced by an extensive spa and indoor pool facility as well as clever use of snow mobiles and Segway experiences. The controlled atmosphere is ideal to bring children who can explore the snow without cars whipping around the enclosed promenades.
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Snow Quality / Quantity
Benefitting from the same general weather system that has made Niseko the most famous ski mountain in Japan, Kiroro is turbo-charged by a higher base and a v-shaped valley angled to take advantage of the coldest winds storming down from the northwest to deliver the most powder on Hokkaido’s remarkable isthmus.
Snow Quantity: Claims vary between an average of 15 and 17 meters of snow annually, but the basic benchmark falls at “a bit more than Niseko”.
Ski Schools
Kiroro has a well-regarded self-contained international ski school with multi-lingual instruction and a full range of children’s programs.
Retail / Rental
Adequate rental equipment for all tastes of skis and snowboards is available in the resort’s ski center and a few limited retail outlets on the main promenade next to the Tribute Hotel can cover all basic needs, but do not expect to revolutionize your equipment set in Kiroro.
General / Fine Dining
Dining is primarily limited to what is offered in the hotels and the “village”. The selection is not bad, with both Western and Japanese selections. Getting the job done to fuel your day on the slopes is the mission, performed adequately.
Fine dining is non-existent at the resort. A 1 hour drive south opens up Niseko’s broad range of dining venues while 1 hour west over the mountains opens up the fishing port of Otaru for those who want to make the effort to ascend to more gourmet heights.
Lodging Options
Two hotels (the Sheraton and the Tribute hotels) and a luxury condominium complex (Yu Kiroro) make up the full range of options within the resort area. A few rental houses are available on the outskirts of the resort. Some skiers opt to stay in the numerous (and inexpensive) hotel options in Otaru, which is served by a regular and reliable shuttle bus system.
Air / Train Access
The closest airport to Kiroro is Shin-Chitose Airport (Sapporo), with most visitors transferring to the resort by hired car or coach bus. The trip time will be about 1.5 hours depending on weather and traffic. Traveling by train to Otaru from the airport or downtown Sapporo is easy with rapid trains going every 15 minutes or less, but these are commuter trains which can become crowded particularly during worker rush hours.
Cultural Experience
Kiroro, as a self-contained resort, offers local culture only on a cruise ship type formula. The on-site onsen is modern, but authentic, and a karaoke pub as well as an ice bar is entertaining. For a deeper taste of Japan, traveling to relatively nearby Otaru opens up some interesting experiences, with highlights including the touristy canal district and the Old Aoyama Villa, an elegant residential complex turned into museum in the retired mansion of an early 20th century mackerel magnate.
Family / Kids
With its safe base environment and sparkling pool facilities, Kiroro is one of the best destinations in Japan to travel with a family seeking a powder ski experience.