Japan Project is based at Kiroro. THE snowiest major resort on the planet. It’s Japow on steroids. And 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 Eero Ettala and Heikki Sorsa, and they have just one goal for the week – to find you the best POWDER! Plus, they will take you behind the scenes and show you what it’s like to film in Hokkaido’s snowiest region. 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.
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 – EERO ETTALA & HEIKKI SORSA
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 Eero Ettala and Heikki Sorsa, and they have just one goal for the week – to find you the best POWDER! 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.
Eero Ettala Born and raised in Finland, Eero first popped up on the international snowboarding scene in 2005. Since then he has been proving that he’s not only a jack of all trades when it comes to riding a snowboard; he’s a master. With a career boasting 25 magazine cover shots, 2 x Snowboard Magazine video parts of the year, too many podium results around the world to list and the inventor of the Double Backside Rodeo 1080 it’s not difficult to see how so much hype surrounds this man who simply loves snowboarding and having a good time. Eero is no stranger to riding deep powder in Japan as can be seen in his Cooking with gas web series.
Heikki Sorsa Another Finnish legend, Heikki has to be one of the most influential snowboarders in history. From dropping some of the heaviest video parts to competing in X-Games and Winter Olympics in halfpipe, Heikki has definitely earned his place among snowboarding royalty. Heikki has multiple video parts from Japan and is no stranger to ripping turns in the pow and showing crew a damn good time while doing it. There aren’t many guys who go as big as Heikki, so join him for a few laps around the hill and you will soon see what we mean!
ALL INCLUSIVE TOUR
We’ve included everything so you can focus on just one thing, riding pow! Apart from getting to ride every day with the pro’s and our Mint Tours guides, we’ve included luxury accommodation, buffet breakfasts and buffet dinners, our media team on hand to capture all the action, all lift tickets, bus transfers, movie night, demo sessions and we’ve got a few tricks up our sleeve to keep the fun times going, all week long.
AFTER HOURS
After riding, join us in bar where you can catch up with the other guests and guides. Each night we’ve included buffet dinners where you can load up on all the Japanese and Western food you can handle and wash it down with a few ice-cold Asahi’s. We’ll also have movie nights, tech sessions and plenty of time to catch up with the pro’s. Sound like the perfect Japow trip? Then grab your buddies or come solo, just make sure you don’t miss out!
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.
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, 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 and each night buffet dinners are included.
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.