Why Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU is one of the best places to ski in Japan

Ski-in, ski-out Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU

Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU is the perfect winter playground with two different mountains and a diverse range of slopes and terrain.

What’s not to love about being surrounded by 1,000 hectares of snowy forest, with ski runs at your doorstep? That is what awaits families at the uncrowded Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU.

The alpine resort has 29 ski runs across 124 hectares of terrain. Six ski lifts give access to groomers, advanced mogul runs, snowy ungroomed runs and tree skiing. Unlike other Japanese ski areas, Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU allows off-piste skiing. There are dedicated family areas and kids park just for children.

Advanced skiers will love the range of tree runs, back country and CAT tours to experience the fresh powder covered backcountry of Hokkaido.

The Hokkaido Powder Belt

Powder. It is what attracts skiers and snowboarders to Japan and the place to find it, by the bucketload, is Hokkaido.

The Hokkaido Powder Belt has 15,000 square kilometres of snow and includes seven different mountains of the Daisetsuzan Range. This snowy spine sits in the centre of Hokkaido island, which lies to the north of Japan’s main island, Honshu.

For families, the key resort in the Hokkaido Powder Belt is Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU, which is Disneyland on snow for kids. At the south of the belt, it caters to absolutely everyone.

Keep reading:

• Japan’s Best Family Ski Resorts
• The Best Family Accommodation in Japan
  

Lift ticket price

A one-day lift pass costs ¥5,400 for adults and ¥3,400. In Australian dollars that is approximately $64 for adults and $40 for children. Rates become cheaper the more days you book for.

On the mountain, you’ll find the resorts longest run, Exhibition, in the Terrace of Frost Tree area by the top of the gondola. By the gondola is the Unkai Terrace. A boardwalk that juts out from the mountain for majestic views over mountains and the sea of clouds.

The resort is great for beginners. Nipo Mountain is a dedicated zone for beginner terrain and lessons. The terrain is 48% easy, 39% intermediate and 13% advanced.

Lessons from English-speaking instructors are available at the Snow Academy. Kids aged four and over can be enrolled in group or private lessons. Three-year-olds can participate in lessons that include some skiing as well as general snow play.

Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU has two sets of 36-storey high-rise towers, each uniquely styled, giving glorious views and a large choice of accommodation.

Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU The Tower

The ski-in, ski-out Tomamu The Tower towers sit in the middle of the resort ski area. It boasts jaw-dropping alpine views and a choice of four-star Japanese and Western-style rooms for families of every size. You can hire ski gear from the Rental Corner on the hotel’s first floor.

RISONARE Tomamu

A little further up the hill, the all-suite five-star Hoshino Resorts RISONARE Tomamu offers spacious luxury living, with some rooms featuring a large living room as well as two bedrooms and two bathrooms, one of which has a large Jacuzzi overlooking the snow.

Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU restaurants

It is not a Japanese snow holiday without great food, and Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU boasts the excellent hotalu street, a dining and shopping area.

You can ski right through the street, located just before the base of the mountain. It’s perfect for lunch before heading back onto the slopes.

There are 29 dining facilities at Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU, with everything from ramen, Italian and fine dining.

Cloud Cafe, located at the top of Mount Tomamu, serves snacks and warm drinks to enjoy with the view of the resort. The Italian restaurant, OTTO SETTE TOMAMU has a child-minding service so you can enjoy your meal while your children are entertained by the restaurants’ friendly staff. For breakfast, head to Forest Restaurant Nininupuri. This buffet-style option is a great place to fuel your engines before a long day on the slopes.

Family activities

One of the highlights off the slopes is Mina-Mina Beach. It is an 80-metre-long heated indoor wave pool. With an inside temperature of 30 degrees Celsius, you’ll feel like you’re in the tropics as soon as you step inside. You can swim, ride a wave, paddle on a stand-up paddleboard, or sit and soak in the outdoor onsen.

For more snowy fun, you can sign up for the Family Snow Picnic, go for a backcountry tour in a snowcat, try snowmobiling and dog sledding, ice fishing, banana boating or go horse riding through the snow. Visit over Christmas for special festive activities.

Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU Ice Village

The spectacular Ice Village is another highlight, with this beautifully lit village built entirely of ice and snow.

It is accessed by an ice slide, and also has an Ice Hotel, shops serving drinks in carved ice glasses, and an awesome outdoor ice rink to skate around before roasting a marshmallow over the outdoor fire. The Ice Village has a nightly fireworks display.

Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU ski map

How to get to Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU

It’s a 90-minute flight from Tokyo to Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport, followed by a 90-minute direct shuttle to the resort.