UP YOUR FREERIDE GAME WHILE RIDING THE SNOWIEST MAJOR RESORT ON THE PLANET.
Up your game and spend a week riding with our pro guides, coaches and film crew at Kiroro – THE snowiest major resort on the planet. It’s Japow on steroids. Sure, there’s plenty of other places in the world that get their fair share. Nearby Niseko and Rusutsu hold their own, but the 23 metres that Kiroro scores on an average season, is a step-up again. This coastal resort gets slammed with clockwork consistency. They get an absurd amount of snow. Kiroro receives more snowfall n a month, than most resorts receive in a full season.
Another way of looking at it is snowmaking. “Snowmaking machines are useless in Kiroro, they would just be buried in deep snow” and it’s a good point. Kiroro sits in an absolute sweet spot for snowfall, seeming to catch the best from most directions as the Siberian Pow Express keeps thundering in off the nearby Sea of Japan. When nearby areas like Niseko and Rusutsu get 10-20cm, in Kiroro it will be 30-40cm. And over a season, that really adds up.
The stats are hard to argue with. At Kiroro they have been keeping score diligently since it opened in 2001. But it should be no surprise. The original owner of Kiroro selected its prime location by flying a helicopter over Hokkaido in June (summer) to find out where he might want to put his new ski resort. Only the Kiroro area and Asahidake still had lots of snow. So he picked Kiroro and by doing that he guaranteed his new resort would always enjoy a long season that runs from November to May.
ABOUT KIRORO
Situated on the northern island of Hokkaido, just a stones throw from the Sea of Japan is the lesser-known ski area, Kiroro. It’s a 5-star ski-in/ski-out resort that is home to some of the best powder on Earth. If this place isn’t on your powder radar, then it should be. Kiroro is synonymous with the having the best powder on earth. Snow here is bountiful, abundant, plentiful, there aren’t enough words to describe the amount. If you’re the kind of person who likes the facts, you’ll be pleased to know that Kiroro tops the Japan powder tally, season after season. It even beats its high-profile neighbours, Niseko and Rusutsu in the powder stakes. It’s officially the snowiest resort in Japan. And you’re in for a treat, because we’ve timed our tour to run during peak powder season, so powder turns are virtually guaranteed.
SNOW & CONDITIONS
Kiroro is THE snowiest major resort on the planet. It’s Japow on steroids. Sure, there’s plenty of other places in the world that get their fair share, but the 23 metres that Kiroro scores on an average season, is a step-up again. This coastal resort gets slammed with clockwork consistency. Another way of looking at it is snowmaking. “Snowmaking machines are useless in Kiroro, they would just be buried in deep snow” and it’s a good point. Kiroro sits in an absolute sweet spot for snowfall, catching snow from most directions as the Siberian Pow Express keeps thundering in from the nearby Sea of Japan. When nearby areas like Niseko and Rusutsu get 10-20cm, in Kiroro it will be 30-40cm. And over a season, that really adds up.
THE TERRAIN
While Kiroro receives 23 metres of snow in an average season, the legendary snowfall doesn’t mean you have to be an experienced skier or snowboarder to enjoy it. Quite the opposite. There are plenty of moderately pitched powder lines, and many areas that are left un-groomed that are perfect to level up. Kiroro has the advantage over other resorts as they have designated side country and tree riding areas within the resort boundary that are patrolled, along with a wide open section that is left un-groomed just for you to ride pow. These areas are perfect to get your lift accessed powder fill. Kiroro also has lots of terrain beyond the resort boundary where you can find fresh tracks all day long.
PRO GUIDES
So you can spend your week deep in the white-room, you’ve got two guides on-hand who know a thing or two about hunting down the best lines, finding the best snow, and making sure you have a good time while doing it. In fact, you could call them professionals. Your guides for the tour are our Canadian team, Hayden Manwell and Geoff Brown. Geoff and Hayden have just one goal for the week – to find you the best POWDER! When Geoff and Hayden aren’t in Japan, you’ll find them deep in the British Columbia backcountry. Their big mountain experience makes them the perfect hosts for the week. They are always more than happy to provide you with some tips and feedback on the mountain, and share a beer and some laughs at the end of the day.
MEDIA TEAM ON HAND
Throughout the tour we’ll have our media team on hand to capture all the action. You’ll be able to download your Japan photo’s and videos, so you can keep all your friends up to date with your powder adventures. We’ll make sure you go home with your iconic Japan powder shot, plus all the highlights from the week, on and off-mountain.
SMALL GROUPS
We offer one of the smallest client to guide ratio’s in the industry which ultimately leads to a better experience for everyone. Our small groups allow greater manoeuvrability and ease of access to the best areas a destination can offer. When we are on mountain, our guest to guide ratio is 6 people per guide. This also makes for a more personal experience between our guests and guides.
CAT SKI ADD-ON
The best way to access a blissful day of untracked powder is by snow cat. Each run delivers 450-650m of vertical and you’ll get 6-9 runs per day. The cat ski operation is just 50 minutes from Kiroro, and you will get to spend a full day riding untracked powder with oceanfront views. It’s a place so beautiful, you’ll get the experience of a lifetime. There is a variety of terrain that you’ll explore including wide-open former course runs, old growth glades and long, steep bowls.
LUXURY 5 STAR ACCOMMODATION
Throughout the tour you’ll stay on-mountain at The Kiroro, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. This is a 5 star, luxury hotel with ski-in, ski-out access to the region’s best powder. On-site are a hot spring, indoor and outdoor pool, fitness centre and shops. Dining options include a formal sushi restaurant, authentic steak house, elegant Italian restaurant and European brasserie, using the freshest locally sourced ingredients. You’ll stay in a Superior twin share room that is equipped with 2 single beds that will have you feeling zen in no time. Each room has a great heating, private ensuite bathroom, TV, and free WiFi. Every morning you’ve got a hot buffet breakfast to enjoy in the restaurant.
EASY AIRPORT TRANSFERS
What we like about Kiroro is it’s so easy to get to. It’s a stress-free trip, especially if you’re travelling solo or it’s your first time to Japan. Once your flight arrives in Sapporo, grab your bags and get on the bus. It’s a scenic door-to-door trip, from the airport straight to our hotel. Grab a window seat and in just under 2 hours you will arrive at our powder paradise. Our guides will be on-hand to greet you and help you settle in.
PRE TOUR SUPPORT
After you sign up for a tour, you will receive pre-trip emails with specific information about your tour, the arrival and departure day process, information about the destination, packing suggestions, and other relevant information to help you prepare for your trip. In addition to this, you have access to our customer care team who are just a phone-call away. And as a full-service travel agent, we are able to take care of your flights, insurance, stopovers and pre or post tour arrangements.
WHY TRAVEL WITH MINT?
In a rapidly changing travel industry it’s important to know that your travel provider is accredited, accountable and responsible. We are a registered member of AFTA and IATA and conduct business in accordance with the ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct. When you travel with Mint you can have peace of mind that you are booking with a qualified and established travel operator with over 20 years of expertise. And as a full-service travel agent, we are able to take care of your flights, insurance, stopovers and pre or post tour arrangements.