Snowboarding tips? Ride the Pow at Kiroro Ski Resort
Want some good snowboarding tips? Ride the best powder in the world at one of the most popular local ski resorts around Sapporo Japan, Kiroro Ski resort. It gets guaranteed powder season after season. The 2014/15 winter season was the worst I have experienced so far. There were news reports that this season had received the least snow fall in the last 30 years! It was still a good season though, just not the daily powder conditions that I have been accustomed to. Spoiled is what I am. However, out of the local ski resorts Kiroro got dumped on the most when others only received a light dusting. It was crazy how much snow Kiroro had in that season compared to other ski resorts. I went in late February and was getting stuck a lot. That is actually quite common in Kiroro because there are a lot of flat sections, but once you get some snowboarding tips about the mountain from the locals, they can be avoided.
The resort itself is situated about 40kms west of Sapporo, close to the town of Otaru and is located in a heavy snowfall area of Hokkaido.
The lift system is super fast providing access to wide-open runs, and the terrain is well suited to beginners and intermediates so if you are just learning how to snowboard or ski, then this would be an ideal place for you.
Resort Details
Terrain: 35% Beginner, 35% Intermediate, 30% Advanced
Steepest slope: 37 Degrees
Longest course: 4000 m
Number of courses: 21
Number of lifts: 9
Park facilities: Table top kickers, rails, boxes, half-pipe
Check out the website for ticket prices.
Getting There
Here's another one of those great snowboarding tips when you are in Sapporo Japan. If possible take the bus instead of the train, as there is usually a bus and lift package involved which will save you heaps of money, which you can spend on......another lift ticket!
So the best and easiest way to get to Kiroro Ski resort from Sapporo is, of course by bus. From Sapporo Station bus terminal take the bus from Platform 18. To get to platform 18 go down to the basement level of Sapporo Station and walk down 'Culture Walk' towards the entrance of Bic Camera.
At the end of the walkway, on the right next to the entrance of ESTA you will see a set of glass doors with the numbers 13-18 located above the door (see picture). The journey takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
Buses
Bus times from December 1st to 17th
Sapporo - Kiroro: 07:30
Kiroro - Sapporo: 17:30
Bus times from December 18th until March 31st
Sapporo - Kiroro: 07:35, 08:20, 14:00
Kiroro - Sapporo: 11:00, 16:30, 17:30
Bus times from April 1st to May 5thSapporo - Kiroro: 07:35
Kiroro - Sapporo: 17:30
A 1 day bus pack consisting of a 1 day lift ticket and a return journey costs 5100 yen for adults and 3500 yen for children. Tickets can be bought on the bus.
N.B. A one-way bus ticket to Kiroro Ski resort costs 1400 yen for adults and 700 yen for children so make sure to ask for the "busu packu".
For further information about the shuttle bus please call Hokkaido Chuo Bus on 011-231-0500 (Japanese only).
From Otaru
If you are staying in Otaru there are also buses that leave from the bus terminal just in front of Otaru JR train station and takes approximately 50 minutes.
Bus times from December 1st to 17th
Otaru Station - Kiroro: 08:10, 11:30, 15:10
Kiroro - Otaru Station: 09:50, 13:30, 17:00
From December 18th to March 31st
Otaru Station - Kiroro: 08:10, 11:30, 15:10, 16:10
Kiroro - Otaru Station: 09:50, 10:50, 13:30, 17:00
From April 1st to May 5thOtaru Station - Kiroro: 08:10, 11:30, 15:10
Kiroro - Otaru Station: 09:50, 13:30, 17:00
A 1 day bus pack consisting of a 1 day lift pass and a return journey costs 4300 yen for adults and 3100 yen for children. Tickets can be bought on the bus.
N.B. A one-way bus ticket costs 880 yen for adults and 440 yen for children so make sure to ask for the "busu packu".
And the final tip of my snowboarding tips?.........do one thing that scares you every time you ride, even if it is minuscule!
