The Skiers' Guide to Kiroro

All time resort in Japan. Amazing tree skiing. Cheap food. Empty Lines. Get a local guide to show you the goods! Japan Ski Tours is the best out there!

I worked for ClubMed in Kiroro peak for a season, out side of that there is plenty to see and do across otaru and Sapporo for shopping, games and sightseeing.

There's a few runs to choose from, with a good variance in difficulty, the tree runs when open are a lot of fun and flow very well.

The back country is well secured and they make sure you're equipped before going in, definitely wothr while for the experienced!

The snow quality and quantity is kiroros shining point around Jan/Feb is the best time to go!

Kiroro gets an insane amount of snow - considerably more than Niseko, but is always way less busy. There are incredible tree runs of different tightnesses and pitches. None are particularly long they often have long run outs back to the lifts, and there are hazards such as creeks. It is not a big ski area, but has very good lift infrastructure by Japanese standards. There aren't loads of options for nearby accommodation, the main ones are the luxury YuKiroro and Club Med, but there is also Margo's Garden farmstay which has a shuttle to the ski area and delicious meals. There are three main ski schools; the Kiroro Academy, which primarily does group lessons in Japanese and privates in Japanese & English, Otaru Adventure who do privates & group lessons and inbounds guiding in English and Club Med, for who you need to be a Club Med guest. There is a lot of very good beginner & learning terrain near the base, such as the run down from the Nagamine Crest Hut. The backcountry access from the ski area is amazing. All in all, Kiroro is a medium-small resort with a low crowd factor, better snow than most places in Hokkaido (!), good access to off-piste & backcountry, good ski schools and good beginner terrain. What Kiroro lacks in terms of a village or nightlife, it makes up for in the skiing.