Who really has the most consistent powder on the planet? Kiroro Snow World in Hokkaido www.kiroro.co.jp/jp/winter/ 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. Now Mountain High season pass holders have the ability to visit this amazing resort for FREE (airfare and lodging not included). As a member of www.powderalliance.com , Mountain High pass holders receive 3 FREE days at 14 premiere West Coast Resorts including Crested Butte, CO, Sierra At Tahoe, CA, and now Kiroro, Japan, it’s first international destination. Locally pass holders receive 3 additional days at both Snow Valley, CA, and Brian Head, UT. That’s 16 total mountains and 48 FREE tickets!
Click to watch the Kiroro video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wGodXVDlIM
Developed in 2001, 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 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 up the mountain 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 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 Mountain High and the Powder Alliance.”
The only thing better than experiencing the international flavor of Kiroro, Japan, is experiencing it for FREE. Mountain High pass holders receive three (3) FREE days at Kiroro, Japan, with NO BLACKOUT DAYS. 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 a Mountain High Adult or Young Adult season pass. There are no membership fees, no collective pass prices, no additional charges of any kind. Pass holders simply show a 2016/17 anytime season pass and receive free skiing benefits. Click here for 16/17 season pass pricing and details http://www.mthigh.com/site/tickets-and-groups/season-passes/season-pass.html
For more information on the Powder Alliance 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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Mountain High is Southern California’s closest winter resort, located just 90 minutes from Los Angeles and Orange County. Mountain High Resort consists of three separate mountains: West Resort, East Resort and North Resort. Mountain High offers a wide variety of lifts and trails, a world-class terrain park, an outstanding winter sports school and the San Gabriel Mountain’s largest tubing area. Night skiing and snowboarding are available seven nights-a-week peak season and snowmaking covers more than 80 percent of the slopes. Mountain High, the first resort to open in Southern California for the past 19 years, operates from mid-November to mid-April. Visit www.mthigh.com for more information. Mountain High is an equal opportunity service provider operating under an Angeles National Forest special use permit.
