White gold in Japan – an opinion

Under the snow falling at an angle, you can only see a pair of eyes through the balaclava. Brushing, two ice skating patrols perform a graceful ballet in semi-dance to remove the slightest snowflake from the seat of the next elevator. Once you’re seated, dry and protected behind a large glass bubble, the duo greet you with a grand bow, wishing you the same enthusiasm to savor the incomparable scent of Japow (Japanese powder). The white gold of Japan is indeed this snow, powdered as desired, bolstered by the icy winds from Siberia which rain down heavily on the island of Hokkaido, which lies an hour and a half by plane from Tokyo. It’s as much fun for skiers as it is for snowboarders or snowshoe enthusiasts. The Japanese, who are accustomed to going to the mountains with their hands in their pockets, tend to rent all their equipment at once, except for gloves and glasses.

Kiroro Station, to the north, is ideally located an hour and a half from Sapporo. The winds come from Siberia and pass over the Sea of ​​Japan. When they reach the island of Hokkaido, Keroro is the first stop to receive this final powder, hence the average snowfall of twenty meters per year. This resort is above all on a human level and has only a few hotels, including two that are trusted by Club Med. the first, Keroro Peak, which opened in December, the next branch, which is called Grand, will open soon. With 126 premium rooms, Kiroro Peak only welcomes children from 12 years old. But kids club fans can be assured that according to Club Med, the Grand, is designed more to accommodate the whole family.

Having already established itself in France, Club Med also presents the concept of “ski in/ski out” abroad. By that, he means “hiking from the village.” This quality of service is supposed to simplify the lives of all family members so that they can enjoy their vacations without worrying about anything. This “inclusive” concept has forged its legend since its inception seventy years ago. Although Club Med has 75 resorts in 26 countries, it is betting more than ever on skiing abroad. Apart from the local clientele, Asian neighbors like Hong Kongers, Chinese, Taiwanese… who don’t have such ski areas at home flock to the Japanese slopes and also discover the spirit of Club Med. Slide enthusiasts, Australians, New Zealanders and Americans also make the trip to Hokkaido to get a taste of the fun of Japanese slide.

While you are handed hot chocolate at the exit of the ski room located at the foot of the hotel, sleds, snowboards or snowshoes await you in the snow. Whether you choose to take a group or private lesson with one of the ski instructors – special mention to the wonderful Félix – or if you prefer to explore the area at your leisure, the experience is amazing as you evolve in a dreamscape, among the maples and birches bending under the snow. From the very first turns of the rim, you have the feeling of skating on a cloud, as the powder is so creamy and plentiful. Sensations are dizzy with the impression that surfing on cotton. Far from the crowded slopes we’re used to in France, we only hear the hiss of powder under the skis.

Snow falls in the region equivalent to 25 meters of powder annually. Something that makes some climate skeptics and fanatics dream of a discipline, burned by their recent stays in the Alps or the Pyrenees and denied the ability to wear skis, for want of snow. Not forgetting that in Japan the literature is proverbial: no one will dare to overtake anyone in the queue for ski lifts … Keroro Resort has a ski area that stretches for more than twenty-five kilometers. A stadium where only 4,000 skaters develop every day. People also ski longer in Japan, where the season runs from November to May.

Distinctive and mountainous design

Once the ski day is over, the delicacies are still there. We clean our skis to avoid snow melting everywhere. Relaxing atmosphere in this resort that assumes a distinct mountain design. Blonde wood, cozy wool tiles and large windows give character. Club Med’s designers paid attention to the smallest detail, giving a nod to Japanese culture. It’s distilled with little touches, like delicate lanterns or cut-outs that give pride of place to the origami technique. Or even through the linework behind the bar or in the rooms. Some are traditional with tatami-padded packages and allow for complete immersion in the Japanese way of life. Gourmets should also surrender to this holiday thanks to the equally amazing gastronomy. Club Med obliges, menus have to match, and the selection is plentiful. Good members are spoiled for choice. The majority of Asian customers thus discover the delights of raclette, fondue and other exotic pies. But you can also enjoy local seafood, such as succulent Hokkaido crab, with endless claws. Of the unusual feature of island skiing…

Because other than the quality of the snow, skiing in Japan distills its own lifestyle. Thus, we trade off the well-thought-out wine/fondue combination for a tea party and a relaxing break at a onsen or one Oforo. This outdoor hot bath is a must-do that, in addition to relaxing after an intense sports day, also allows you to enjoy the picturesque nature that surrounds us and to which the Japanese are so sensitive. Non-skiers can also discover the local culture of the Ainos, the indigenous people of the area, or even visit the adjacent whiskey distillery, which offers stunning views of the entire valley.

As night falls, the GOs (Gentils Organiseurs) put on the show. Torchlight Descent, Live Shows, entertainment From high flight then on time. Not forgetting the famous “crazy tags”. The improbable choreography inseparable from the spirit of Club Med in Japan is revealed as a moment of the anthology. When you expect the somewhat reserved Asian public to remain unmoved by this incarnation of the most universal decomposition, they actually lose all idea of ​​”what people will say”. Even tougher are… the ladies who wear their traditional kimono to dinner.

Since the first hotel club dedicated to winter sports in Switzerland, in 1956, Club Med has continued to spread to mountain destinations. Outside Japan, where it has been present since 2017 in Tomamu, and then in Kiroro with two new resorts, Club Med has doubled the number of openings such as Tignes, Val d’Isère, La Rosière and Serre-Chevalier, but also in Italy and in the United States, under the leadership of CEO Henri Giscard d’Estaing. During Kiroro Peak’s first weekend of operation, Club Med recorded an occupancy rate of 75%. A frenzy that is also explained by a vengeful spirit on travel aspirants, frustrated during the pandemic. “Our clients want us to take care of them so they can let go without worrying about anything and regain that lost freedom of over two years. Our where-everything-included concept allows you to free yourself from constraints, while benefiting from the best trainers, state-of-the-art equipment and activities for everyone, whether They were related to sport or luxury »Rachel Harding, CEO of Club Med across the Asia Pacific region, confirms. “Club Med is very popular in Japan and we can count on very loyal customers who come six or seven times a year”Marc Letourneau, sympathetic general manager of Club Med in Japan, rejoices. “With the yen exchange rate and the flight, a skiing holiday in Japan is definitely more expensive than in France, but it is a unique sports and cultural experience, which you absolutely must live.” Confirms to this Canadian, former ski instructor and skateboard enthusiast. Club Med does not intend to stop in such a good way: it tracks future opportunities for development in the area … and even more so if there is a convergence!