Japan‘s Golden Triangle, from Tokyo to Kanazawa and completing at Osaka – all within Honshu, Japan’s main island – represents the best that the country has to offer: gorgeous mountains laden with snow, delectable cuisine and steaming, natural onsens. This winter season, venture a few degrees east and visit Kiroro, one of Hokkaido’s premier ski resorts synonymous with perfect powder and luxurious offerings.
Hokkaido’s ski wonderland
Kiroro’s exceptionally heavy snowfall – an average of 20 metres of snow covers its mountains each year – makes it the perfect place for both beginners and those who prefer skiing off-piste. With its fantastic lift infrastructure that spans across the entire resort, guests can expect quick, short lifts that will get them to the slopes in the least amount of time.
Kiroro has great powder for skiiers of all levels
Kiroro is a great place to escape from the more crowded resorts around Hokkaido. There are just two hotels in Kiroro, but both offer stellar views of the slopes: there’s the conveniently located Sheraton Hokkaido Kiroro Resort, or The Kiroro, a refined boutique hotel that offers a bathhouse with natural spring water to keep you warm through the snowy winter.
Stay warm at the Yu Kiroro’s cozy interiors
An authentic Japanese onsen experience is the preferred way to unwind after a long day spent skiing when in this part of the world. The Kiroro Onsen boasts a large natural caldera hot spring with water that flows from the Akaigawa Village – best of all, the bath is set amidst Kiroro’s natural landscape, offering guests views of the pristine, snowy forest as they soak in mineral-rich waters. Alternatively, the hot stone sauna Ganbanyoku lets guests sweat it out.
The Kiroro resort pool
For extra privacy amongst the holiday town, check out the upcoming Yu Kiroro, a freehold luxury ski-in-ski-out private residence that’s scheduled for completion in December 2019. There, guests can quite literally head out for a day of skiing right from their doorstep. The residences boast fully-furnished apartments, complete with a ski valet, natural indoor-outdoor onsen, and a luxury club house. www.kiroro.co.jp ◼
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© This article was first published online in Jan 2019 – World Travel Magazine.