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Hokkaido for non-skiers: What it’s like to stay at Club Med’s brand new resort with snowy mountain views

Is it possible to enjoy yourself in Hokkaido even if you suck at skiing? Yes – and it doesn’t hurt if it’s a stay at the new Club Med Kiroro Grand, which had something for everyone.

Hokkaido for non-skiers: What it’s like to stay at Club Med’s brand new resort with snowy mountain views

Riding the gondola that takes guests to the peak of a mountain. (Photo: CNA/Hazeeq Sukri)

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As a kid, hearing the adults talk about Club Med made it seem like it was a mythical oasis that healed weary souls. Family friends and teachers would regale me with stories of how they'd spend the entire day frolicking on spotless beaches or skiing down mountains. Basically, just living their best lives.

After years of hearing wonderful things about its resorts, I finally had the chance to visit Club Med's newest property, Kiroro Grand, in Hokkaido, Japan last December. And let's just say the wait was well worth it.

GETTING TO CLUB MED KIRORO GRAND

Club Med Kiroro Grand is nestled in the heart of Hokkaido's pristine Kiroro region, renowned for its record-breaking 21-metre snowfall and an extended 160-day winter. 

All this translates to lots of snow which I personally love.

One of the many doors leading into the resort. (Photo: CNA/Hazeeq Sukri)

What I didn’t love, however, was getting there.

Now to be fair, this isn’t Club Med’s fault at all. But I need to give a heads-up to anyone who books a stay at Club Med Kiroro Grand after reading this article: Getting to this resort from the airport can potentially take four hours.

The shuttle bus to the resort, which can be added to your package, operates in two-hour intervals. The journey to the resort itself takes about one-and-a-half to two hours, depending on weather conditions. So if your flight happens to land at a not-so-opportune time (like mine), be prepared to physically and mentally endure a waiting game.

THE CLUB MED KIRORO GRAND EXPERIENCE

Throughout the resort's lobby are sculptures of birds native to Hokkaido. (Photo: CNA/Hazeeq Sukri)

That being said, all that resentment dissipates once you step into Club Med Kiroro Grand. With its warm lights and thick, intricate carpets, the resort is straight out of a scene from a Christmas movie. Staff members would smile at guests at every turn – a common sight during my five-day stay there.

It’s like being enveloped in a familiar sense of warmth.

The writer's room had twin beds, a sofa and a magnificent view of the mountains. (Photo: CNA/Hazeeq Sukri)

Ah, my room. One of the things I genuinely miss about Club Med Kiroro Grand. As someone who usually sleeps in cramped business hotels during trips to Japan, I thought having twin beds to roll around is a godsend.

The view from the writer's room. (Photo: CNA/Hazeeq Sukri)

Plus, that gorgeous mountain view. Simply breathtaking.

Skiers are grouped according to proficiency levels, with each class happening at a different timings. (Photo: CNA/Hazeeq Sukri)

And now, the main reason why most of you clicked on the article: The skiing. As part of Club Med’s all-inclusive package, group skiing lessons are available for every proficiency level, with each lesson lasting about two hours. Guests can also rent the necessary equipment at the resort itself.

I will say that the instructors here were patient and thorough in imparting their skills.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t a good skier before and this trip did little to change that. Sure, I can do a decent wedge now but given the fact that I didn't ski every single day to harness my skills, I'll probably have to enter a Beginner's class again the next time I'm here.

But that’s the beauty of Club Med Kiroro Grand: It’s a resort that has something for everyone, even those who suck at skiing.

In the winter season, you can opt to learn snowboarding or snowshoeing, or simply just chill in the resort. For me, I decided to bypass everything and head to the absolute peak of a mountain.
 

Riding the gondola that takes guests to the peak of a mountain. (Photo: CNA/Hazeeq Sukri)

If you had to do just one activity at Club Med Kiroro Grand, make sure it’s this one. Each guest here is given a ski pass which has multiple uses. One of which is letting you board a gondola that takes you to Asari Peak, with an elevation of 1,180 metres.

The view of the surroundings. (Photo: CNA/Hazeeq Sukri)

Throughout the 3.3-kilometre-long ride, I was surrounded by an ethereal snowscape that offered a sense of peace and tranquility. 

The view at the top of the mountain. (Photo: CNA/Hazeeq Sukri)

Upon reaching the peak, I was greeted by complete whiteness. 

And it was beautiful.

Before me was untouched snow, piling till my ankles could sink into it. The thing about snow in the Kiroro region is that it is so ridiculously soft that it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it powder-like.

Guests can choose to ride a horse, at an additional cost. (Photo: CNA/Hazeeq Sukri)

And the outdoor fun here extends beyond mountain activities. For an additional cost, you can try your hand at horse riding or go on a day trip to the port city Otaru.

Otaru Denuki Koji, one of Otaru's main attractions. (Photo: CNA/Hazeeq Sukri)

With its gorgeous warehouses and marvelous sea view, Otaru is definitely a place that anyone travelling to Hokkaido should visit. Foodies would be wise to check out Otaru Denuki Koji, an alleyway that's chock-full of eateries serving tasty nosh such as kaisendon and Otaru Ankake Yakisoba – the town's signature dish which comprises fried noodles with seafood, doused in a thick and creamy sauce.

Otaru Canal is one of the town's most famous landmarks. (Photo: CNA/Hazeeq Sukri)

Right across Otaru Denuki Koji is Otaru Canal. In the past, this route was used by shops to transport goods to the warehouses lining the canal. Now, it is a prime spot to snap gorgeous photos and marvel at the surrounding buildings.

The food at Club Med Kiroro Grand was a definite highlight. (Photo: CNA/Hazeeq Sukri)

Let's now talk about the dining experience at Club Med Kiroro Grand because I could dedicate an entire article to the food here.

Without hyperbole, I can honestly say that this resort, specifically its main restaurant Yoichi, served some of the best hotel food I’ve had in my years of travelling.

I would gladly travel to Club Med Kiroro Grand, four-hour wait and all, just to eat at their buffet again.

The resort served the juiciest crab legs the writer had ever tried. (Photo: CNA/Hazeeq Sukri)

Day after day, the chefs here dished out banger after banger in their buffet spread, from juicy Zuwai crab legs and soft beef cheeks to decadent lobster bisque. Club Med Kiroro Grand’s army of international chefs meant that I could indulge in a myriad of cuisines from all over the world, multiple times a day. There was even a day where they served prata with chicken curry.

The one item that our group agreed was a highlight was the resort’s vanilla ice cream. Smooth and milky, the dessert was fantastic on its own and when paired with the other treats on the dessert table.

Dining with a view at Club Med Kiroro Grand. (Photo: CNA/Hazeeq Sukri)

All this was bolstered by the fact that the dining space here is huge – spanning multiple areas. The space was so big that I always managed to snag a prime seat facing the mountains, no matter how big the dining crowd was.

Guests can request for a wide variety of drinks at the resort's bar. (Photo: CNA/Hazeeq Sukri)

Even though I’m not a drinker, it’s worth mentioning that Club Med Kiroro Grand’s all-inclusive package includes all-day access to their bar which serves a wide variety of cocktails.

So hypothetically, you could make your money back from the bar and buffet alone.

Essentially, your Club Med experience is defined by you, something I absolutely love. 

Like skiing? Hit the slopes as much as you like. 

Love the food here? Gorge on the buffet which runs multiple times during the day. 

Looking to take it easy? Just stay in the resort and try their facilities.

The laissez-faire nature here meant that there was no right or wrong way to experience Club Med Kiroro Grand.

A RESORT THAT’S GREAT FOR FAMILIES

Now, I don’t have any kids but I do have eyes. And I will say that Club Med Kiroro Grand excels at keeping children entertained, from its well-equipped clubhouse to its commendable staff.

Every night, there will be a live show at the resort’s theatre, ranging from stand-up acts to dance performances and live bands.

Families dancing at the resort's theatre. (Photo: CNA/Hazeeq Sukri)

And every night, the staff members here ensured that the children were engaged in the performances, whether it was collectively hyping them up with a mass dance or simply chatting with them.

Even when there were no performances, I personally witnessed staff members happily engaging in lively conversations with the kids throughout the resort and joking with them, eliciting laughs along the way.

WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT CLUB MED KIRORO GRAND 

The wealth of mesmerising sights and activities at the Club Med Kiroro Grand was the perfect antidote for a hectic year and gave me a much-needed reset for 2024.

Having finally visited a Club Med resort, I can say that the adults in my childhood were right. It truly was an oasis that healed a weary soul.

CNA Lifestyle was in Japan at the invitation of Club Med Kiroro Grand. Resort package details can be found on the website.  

Source: CNA/hq
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