Established in 1991, Kiroro Snow World is situated on two mountains, Asari and Nagamine. Snow at their summits can reach depths of 5 meters, and the quality has an international buzz, attracting skiers and snowboarders from overseas in search of the best powder.

Kiroro Snow World is a must-visit destination for skiing enthusiasts due to the wide variety and abundance of courses it offers. With an area of 152 hectares, it features a diverse range of trails suitable for both beginners and advanced skiers. The longest course spans 4,050 meters, providing plenty of space for skiers to showcase their skills. The resort boasts 23 runs, among which include 14 uncompressed "Off Piste" tracks, and the "Powder Ride" where skiers can make the most of the powdery snow.

Snow begins accumulating in December, and it snows almost every day in January making January and February the best time for skiing. January’s average temperature is about -8℃, with a low of about -18℃, so be sure to wear a hat, gloves, and properly layered clothing.

By Bus
Hokkaido Access Network's buses offer direct transit to Kiroro Resort (reservations required).
・Kiroro Ski Bus offers one-way transportation from Sapporo hotels to Kiroro Resort for 2,200 yen (adults) and 1,400 yen (children). Service available on Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun from Dec 16-Mar 31, and every day from Dec 23-Jan 14.
・ Kiroro Liner operates daily from Otaru City/Otaruchikko Station to Kiroro Resort during December 16 - March 13. Prices: adults 1,300 yen, children 900 yen. Check their homepage for other dates.

By Train
・ From New Chitose Airport Station
Take the JR Rapid Airport from New Chitose Airport Station and get off at Otaruchikko Station, then get to the resort via taxi or rental car.
・ From Sapporo
From Sapporo Station, take the JR Rapid Ishikari Liner or JR Rapid Airport and get off at Otaruchikko Station, then get to the resort via taxi or rental car.

By Car
・ From New Chitose Airport
Chitose IC (Interchange) → Hokkaido Expressway → Sapporo JCT → Sasson Expressway → Asari IC → Route 1 → Shinko 5-chome Intersection → Route 956 → National Route 393 → Kiroro Resort
・ From Sapporo
Sapporo Nishi IC → Sasson Expressway → Asari IC → Route 1 → Shinko 5-chome Intersection → Route 956 → National Route 393 → Kiroro Resort

Let’s take a look at some recommended courses separated by skill level!

For Beginners
Kiroro Ski Resort offers runs for all levels. The Family Course is great for first-timers with a 250m length and 6.2° average slope. Nagamine No. 1 Course is 1,900m with a gentle slope. Asari Panorama Course is a 2,500m run through a beautiful forest from Gondola Mountaintop Station.

For Intermediate Skiers
The Yoichi 1-A Course is 1,950 meters long and perfect for intermediate users. If you're looking for a longer cruise, check out Xebio's "Asari Dynamic Course" which stretches 4,050 meters from the summit of Mt. Asari.

For Advanced Skiers
For those who are searching for fresh snow, Powder Ride is the ideal place to go. If you're the first person to hit the slopes, you can enjoy the untouched, pristine snow. Nagamine No. 2-B Course provides skiers with the opportunity to experience the thrill of 1,100 meters of uncompressed snow. Asari 2-C course is ideal for advanced skiers and snowboarders, as it is steep and bumpy.

The lift fees are priced according to your age, which can be classified as adult, senior (65 years old and over), youth (13-18 years old), and child (6-12 years old). If you are a senior or a youth, you will need to carry your driver's license, passport, student ID card, or any other valid document to verify your age.

The lift ticket is an IC (RFID) card, and you will need to pay a deposit of 500 yen upon purchase. If you are accompanied by your parents and are under the age of 5, you can ride the lift for free. However, you will still need to pay a lift card deposit of 500 yen since an IC card is required.

1-7 day passes are available at set prices. For more than eight days of use, and an additional daily fee is added to the seven-day rate.

For ticket packages of 8 days or more, the following will be added to the 7-day ticket price
・ High season (Dec 16, 2023 – April 7, 2024)
Adults: +7,400 yen per day
Seniors: +6,500 yen per day
Youth: +6,500 yen per day
Children: +4,000 yen per day
・ Early season (Dec 1 – Dec 15 2023, April 8 - May 6 2024)
Adults: +4,700 yen per day
Seniors: +4,300 yen per day
Youth: +4,300 yen per day
Children: +3,000 yen per day

To purchase lift tickets, you can either visit the resort in person or buy them online. If you opt for online purchase, you will receive IC cards from the resort's automatic ticketing machines upon your arrival. This provides the advantage of going straight to the slopes without having to queue at the ticket counter.

Additionally, English service is available for added convenience. For more details regarding lift ticket purchases, please check the Kiroro Snow World website.

If you're planning a long stay, consider purchasing the all-you-can-ski Premium Season Pass or Season Pass for the 2023-2024 season. These passes are already on sale, with early bird online booking available from July 1 to December 15, 2023. With either pass, you'll have unlimited access to skiing and snowboarding, as well as exclusive discounts on activities and restaurants at the resort. For more information on lift tickets and how to purchase, please visit the Kiroro Snow World website.

There are various types of rental equipment available, suitable for everyone from beginners to advanced skiers or snowboarders. You can find sizes for adults and children, and even equipment for preschoolers and elementary school children that are safe and easy to use.

You can choose between two types of rental sets: ski wear and equipment sets, or equipment-only sets (ski or snowboard). The ski wear and equipment set includes a jacket, pants, and a set of ski or snowboard equipment.

Ski equipment sets consist of skis, boots, and poles. Meanwhile, snowboard equipment sets include a board and boots. You can also rent individual accessories such as helmets, goggles, and gloves.

Here are the rental fees for adults:
- 1 day (9 AM - close)
Skiwear & equipment set: 11,500 yen
Equipment set: 7,500 yen

- 2 days (9 AM - close)
Skiwear & equipment set: 20,500 yen
Equipment set: 13,500 yen

You can find rental shops at two locations: the "Mountain Center" at the foot of the slopes, and the shop in The Kiroro, Tribute Portfolio Hotel in the Kiroro Resort area. Both offer the same rentals, so you can choose the one that's most convenient for you. You can also reserve rental equipment online.

If you're looking to improve your skiing skills in Hokkaido's powder, there are several ski schools available that can help you achieve your goal.

The International Academy and the Snowboard Academy provide one-on-one lessons in English or Chinese. Their experienced instructors guide beginners as they learn to navigate the slopes. The cost of lessons is 53,000 yen for 5 hours, and you can choose to have either a morning or an afternoon session.

The Kiroro Ski & Snowboard Academy caters to students ranging from beginners to advanced skiers. Regular lessons are taught only in Japanese, but non-Japanese students are welcome to participate, and private lessons in English are also available. The cost of lessons is 10,000 yen for a one-day group lesson (4 hours) and 7,000 yen for a half-day group lesson (2 hours).

The Annie Kids Ski Academy offers ski and snowboard lessons for children aged 3 to 15. The one-day course costs 10,000 yen, and the half-day course costs 7,000 yen.

It's recommended that you make a reservation in advance to ensure your attendance, as admission is limited. However, if there are vacancies, you can join on the same day.

In addition to skiing and snowboarding, Kiroro Snow World has other winter activities to entertain guests. The "Snow Drive" (2,000 yen per day, children 12 years old and up), a thrilling race across the snow, is particularly popular.

There are plenty of restaurants both in and near the resort. The "Lumiere" cafeteria, located in the Mountain Center, is a great place to grab a meal before you hit the slopes, or to take a break from skiing. They serve Japanese ski resort staples like curry and ramen, as well as a special dish called "Kirorope," which is a variation of Nemuro, Hokkaido's local escalope.

You can also enjoy a glass of wine or non-alcoholic beer, in addition to Sapporo Classic beer, which is exclusive to Hokkaido. Lumiere is an excellent choice if you're looking for a delicious meal in a convenient location.

"Gondola Mountaintop Station," the final stop on the Kiroro Gondola on Mt. Asari, has gained fame with its appearance in a blockbuster Thai movie.

The station's restaurant serves authentic ramen and soba noodle bowls.

At an altitude of 1,180 meters, lunch with a spectacular view of the glistening world outside is an unforgettable experience.

Directly connected to the slopes, Yu Kiroro is irresistible for skiers and snowboarders. The hotel has 108 sophisticated one-bedroom, two-bedroom, three-bedroom, and penthouse units, as well as storage services for your skiing or snowboarding equipment, natural hot springs, open-air baths, and a fitness center.

・Opening Period: December 1, 2023 - May 6, 2024 (Planned)
・Closed: None during opening period (closures may occur due to lack of snow or poor weather)
・Parking: 2,000 spaces (free)

*The information in this article is accurate as of September 2023. Services and prices at the resort, hotels, and restaurants are subject to change without notice.

Text by: minna no kotoba sha

▼Early-bird lift tickets are recommended for winter skiing in Japan▼