Who really has the most consistent powder on the planet? Kiroro Snow World in Hokkaido is making a serious claim for the title. On the back of another great season, the Japanese resort had the most powder days in its region with 925 inches (2,349cm) . This is no accident. When the resort opened in 2001, owners handpicked it as one of two main areas that consistently had the deepest snowpack. In fact it scored a 5 out of 5 from powderhounds.com http://www.powderhounds.com/Japan/Hokkaido/Kiroro.aspx Powder Alliance pass holders now receive three (3) FREE days at Kiroro, Japan, and every other participating Powder Alliance resort including Crested Butte, CO, Snowbasin, UT, Silver Star, Canada, and many more. That’s 42 FREE tickets! Click here for a complete listing of all 15 Powder Alliance resorts. http://www.powderalliance.com/
Click to watch the Kiroro video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wGodXVDlIM
Being so new means Kiroro is gleaming with top notch lifts, hotels, and facilities. The resort offers 1,200 acres of in-bound terrain with 21 runs and an equal spread of green, blue and off piste trails. Of the nine lifts, one is a toasty gondola whilst five are high-speed, detachable chairs with cozy hoods. Last season they upped the ante with access to 2,600 more acres of backcountry terrain through three (3) designated entry points.
Winters in Japan mirror those of the United States and Canada lasting from mid-November to early May. This seven month season makes Kiroro the longest running resort in its region.
Kiroro is a snowball’s throw from the Sea of Japan, just 40 minutes from the port and fishing city of Otaru, with free shuttles from the JR station; 90 minutes from New Chitose Airport; 60 minutes from Sapporo; and 50 minutes from Niseko.
Day trips are great, but staying at the base is better. The sumptuous 282 room Kiroro Tribute Portfolio (former Piano Hotel) has the most features, located a Kilometer below the base, with several restaurants, and a little “village” shopping area. But the 140 room ski in/ski out Sheraton Kiroro (former Mountain Hotel) is really where you want to be to jump on the first lift. Every kind of cuisine can be found here from Italian to traditional Japanese. Mountaintop dining at the summit of Mt. Asari is also available offering beautiful scenery for skiers and snowboarders.
The Mountain Centre at Kiroro is well appointed with adult and children’s ski schools, retail shops, a new coffee shop, a ski and snowboard demo area, and kids’ day care. Besides skiing and snowboarding, Kiroro offers numerous winter activities including snowcat sightseeing tours, snow shoe tours, sledding, and snow tubing. Other amenities include indoor and open-air hot springs, a swimming pool, and a day spa to heighten relaxation. Otherwise you can hang out in the games arcade, play billiards or get into the Japanese culture with some pachinko. What Kiroro lacks in nightlife it makes up for in amazing views and peaceful serenity. Of course, if you love noise and blaring music, you can get a great fix in the karaoke room.
New for 16/17 Kiroro offers:
Guided Snowcat Tours: This new “Cat & Hike” program is complete with transportation most of the way up the ridge behind the hotel and touring up top. It includes both lead and tail guides with English and Japanese speakers.
Automated Ticketing System: Automated lift gates offer “hands-free” RFID access plus a new Mileage Challenge where guests can ski and ride for prizes.
International Academy: Tailor-made lesson programs specifically designed for foreigners with a large team of multilingual instructors in their newly refurbished Academy.
Premium Rental Equipment: Kiroro’s fleet has grown to include a wide range of powder skis and boards as well as backcountry gear. Be sure to rent early though. On busy weekends they can sell out.
Says John McColly, CMO Mountain High & Stevens Pass, “If you’ve got Mad Japow disease, this is one way to get it under control. Kiroro offers North Americans an epic international adventure with more powder days than anywhere on the planet. It is the perfect addition to the Powder Alliance.”
The only thing better than experiencing the international flavor of Kiroro, Japan, is experiencing it for FREE. Pass holders at any Powder Alliance resort receive three (3) FREE days at Kiroro, Japan, plus all other Powder Alliance areas. That’s 42 FREE tickets each winter! This offer applies to top-tier, anytime passes only and not midweek, spring, or other restricted options. Restrictions apply and all tickets must be used in the same season as the accompanying pass. Guests are encouraged to visit www.powderalliance.com for a complete list of participating resorts and restrictions.
Powder Alliance benefits are FREE with the purchase of an anytime season pass to a participating Powder Alliance resort. There are no membership fees, no collective pass prices, no additional charges of any kind. Guests simply show an anytime 2016/17 season pass from a participating Powder Alliance area and receive free skiing benefits. In 2014 the Powder Alliance was named Best Season Pass Program by Ski Area Management magazine.
Explore 3,000 acres at Snowbasin Resort, UT, experience the amazing cuisine at Whitewater, Canada, and now dive deep into 700+ inches of fresh snow annually at Kiroro, Japan. All these areas are FREE to full, anytime season pass holders of participating Powder Alliance resorts.
To begin planning your winter road trip, visit www.powderalliance.com. Get details on participating resorts, special offers, and answers to frequently asked questions. Guests can also see who has the snow by following the Powder Alliance at https://www.facebook.com/powderalliance and https://twitter.com/powderalliance For questions or information please contact John McColly, CMO Mountain High & Stevens Pass, at 760-316-7803 or john@mthigh.com.
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