Hokkaido’s snowiest resort gets luxe upgrade and new terrain

In what looms as one of the most significant Hokkaido ski resort upgrades in years, Kiroro will add a new beginner run, gondola and luxury residences to its offering for the 2019/20 season. The Gateway Course and Gateway Express will extend the resort beyond the existing mountain base, giving skiers an extensive new beginner area and ensuring that all Kiroro overnight guests have ski-in ski-out access to the slopes.

A 2019/20 Kiroro trail map featuring the resorts new combination lift (Gateway Express) and beginner run (Gateway Course). Image: Kiroro

The main beneficiaries of the new 878-metre combination lift will be guests staying in Yu Kiroro, the resort’s soon-to-be-complete luxury condominium hotel, which will open its door to the public in December this year. It will feature a private ski valet, in-house “farm to table” restaurant, indoor and outdoor onsen, fitness centre and designated kids’ space.

In a strong sign of what’s to come, the hotel has already claimed two prestigious awards – named Best Condo Development in Japan at the Asia Property Awards and Best Asia-Pacific Condominium by Luxury Properties Magazine.

Yu Kiroro – for the region’s most discerning luxury travellers

Guests of The Kiroro, A Tribute Hotel, Hokkaido, will also have doorstep access to the new lift.

The upgrade ensures that Kiroro, which claims the most snow of any resort in Hokkaido, now makes an even more compelling case as a destination resort for the region’s most discerning luxury travellers. It will compete for attention with the likes of Niseko, Tomamu and Furano.

About Kiroro

With an almost unbelievable 21 metres of snow a season, Kiroro lays claim to some of the best powder skiing in Japan, thanks to its favourable climate and location in a mountain valley and heavy snowfall area. For anyone in search of fresh tracks, this is a resort that should be right at the top of the list.

Kiroro benefits from living in the shadows of its more high profile neighbours Niseko and Rusutsu, which means fewer crowds and shorter lift lines. It’s also home to some of Japan’s best tree skiing.

Read Ski Asia’s comprehensive Kiroro ski resort guide for more information.