Skiing/Snowboarding in Tomamu | HOKKAIDO – JAPAN

If you know us, you’d know we are absolutely crazy about snowboarding.  Our most recent snowboarding trip was in Japan, and we arranged to snowboard on 4 mountains.  Our first 4 days were spent on Mount Tomamu, one of the newer and less well-known ski areas in Hokkaido.

Tomamu ski area is opened and mainly operated by Hoshino luxury resorts group, though we stayed at Club Med Tomamu all-inclusive ski resort.  Club Med guests can get full access to the entire ski-area and also take free ski/snowboard lessons with Club Med instructors.

Not only Mount Tomamu has the classic Japan’s dry powder, it really isn’t flooded with people, especially on the higher grounds where the more advanced runs are.  Have a look at our video taken on the mountains in the last season here:

ABOUT MOUNT TOMAMU

Mount Tomamu has on average of 14 metres snowfall each year.  Having its top elevation at 1,239m and a vertical drop of 699m, the mountain features 28 pistes/ski runs with 1 Gondola and 5 ski lifts. While  he majority of the runs/pistes are great for beginners and intermediates, skiers/snowboarders who are looking for a challenge would prefer to go off-piste.

WHERE IS MOUNT TOMAMU?

Mount Tomamu is in the middle of Hokkaido, which is not close to Hokkaido’s most famous ski area, Niseko.  While Mount Niseko is over 2 hours drive West from Sapporo New Chitose Airport, Mount Tomamu is about 1.30 hours drive North East of Sapporo New Chitose Airport.

However, if you are flying in to Tokyo first, we recommend flying from there to Tokachi-OBIHIRO airport.  The domestic flights to OBIHIRO airport are inexpensive and it takes only about 1 hour from the airport to Mount Tomamu.

 

Mount Tomamu is 108 km or ~1.30 drive North East from Sapporo New Chitose Airport. You might find another pinned location “Tomamu Ski Resort” further up the maps, but that is not the correct location of the actual Tomamu Ski Area.

BUT WHERE EXACTLY IS MOUNT TOMAMU?

This is when Google maps gets a little confusing.  If you want the correct location on google maps show, up search for “Club Med Tomamu Hokkaido” or “Hoshino Resorts Tomamu The Tower” on the google maps search bar.  It is not to be confused with the other pinned location “Tomamu Ski Resort” which shows up when searching for “Tomamu Ski Resort” on google maps.

WHAT WE’VE GOT TO SAY ABOUT MOUNT TOMAMU

THE RUN WITH THE BEST VIEW

Like any mountain, the view from the top is always the best, and fortunately there is a green run which starts at the very top of the mountain.

While beginners can go all the way down to the bottom on a long green run, intermediates and advanced skiers/snowboarders can break off and go down a few challenging blue and black pistes, or go off-piste from the green run.

BEST RUNS ON THE MOUNTAIN

This mountain has a rather long steep runs on the upper part, which leaves quite a long and wide area in the bottom which is quite flat.  Some of the ski instructors at Club Med Tomamu (where we stayed) suggested we just stick around the upper section of the mountain.  “Go all the way to the top, go down the black and the blue runs, take the “Powder Express” lift back to the top…and repeat”, said the instructors.

Having said that, we must say a lot of the time the basic runs at the bottom of the mountain was also empty when we were there.

Sooooooooooooooo soooooo empty!

EXPERT-ONLY POWDER AREA (OFF-PISTE)

In Tomamu, skiers and boarders are not allowed to go out of bound of off-piste unless they have received an EXPERT-ONLY POWDER AREA arm band.

Advanced skiers and boarders who wish to enter this area are required to sign the waiver and agreement and they must be wearing helmets and armbands at all times.  Arm bands must be returned to the registration desk by 15.30hrs of each day.

Mount Tomamu isn’t a big mountain, but the off-piste area has a good variety of landscapes and it can keep skiers/boarders happy for the entire week.

You can pre-register for your Expert-Only Powder Area arm band here: https://www.snowtomamu.jp/winter/en/ski/guide/registration_desk.php

THE TREES IN THE OFF-PISTE AREA

 

The off-piste area in Tomamu has the powder as everyone would expect at a Hokkaido ski range, but what we loved especially was this particular area with dense Japanese trees with very thin and light colour trunks.

For us, going down the mountain through trees is always fun, but slowly floating and gliding through tight thin trees with golden trunks are quite a unique experience.

GOING WITH AN INSTRUCTOR

Whether or not you are an expert skier/snowboarder, it would be worth spending a few days with an instructor.  We joined a lesson as we wanted to improve our skills, but what we also got more from the class was being taken to the best off-piste areas of the mountain.

Our snowboard lesson was included in our resort package with Club Med Tomamu, but non-Club Med guests can take lessons at Snow Academy by Hoshino too.  Link: https://www.snowtomamu.jp/winter/en/ski/academy/index.php

SNOW CAT LIMOUSINE TOUR

If you are feeling a little luxury and want to take off-piste snowboarding to the next level, you might want to consider the Karifuri CAT tour.  This is a luxury 1-day tour with a back country guide who will take a private group out to Mounr Karifuri area (right next to Hoshino Tomamu) by a snow limousine CAT.

We’d say this is the best way to enjoy the deep nature and untracked powder snow.  We haven’t done this but have added it to our Japan bucket list!

OTHER ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES

WINTER ACTIVITIES

There are plenty options for winter activities other than skiing and snowboarding such as snow rafting, sled cabin, snow shoe down hill, etc., and even lake picnic ice fishing (yes, ice fishing).  A lot of family-friendly activities are available too.  See the list and info here: https://www.snowtomamu.jp/winter/en/activity/

DINING

There are around 20 restaurants and cafes scheduled to open for Winter 2018/2019 in Hoshino Tomamu ski area.  Buffet, Ala carte, full-course menus, casual dining, cafes, etc.  You can see the list here: https://www.snowtomamu.jp/winter/en/restaurant/

ICE VILLAGE

If you are going to be in an area where the temperature reaches -30 degree celsius at night, you might as well spend some time at the Ice Village.  There, you may take a tour of the mini town crafted entirely with ice, have a drink in the ice bar, and enjoy outdoor iceskating!  Only Hoshino resorts guests get a free entry, but the ticket only costs 500 JPY and we’d say that will be worth the experience.

For more information, visit https://www.snowtomamu.jp/winter/en/icevillage/

MINA MINA BEACH

Mina Mina beach is Japan’s largest indoor heated pool featuring a few water activities for children.  There are male and female outdoor onsen as well, which is perfect for the muscles to relax after a long day out on the mountain.  Guests of best Club Med and Hoshino resorts can access these facilities free of charge.

For more info on Mina Mina beach, visit https://www.snowtomamu.jp/winter/en/minamina/

WHERE DID WE STAY?

Lastly, let’s talk about accommodation options in Tomamu.  There are 2 major luxury resorts in this ski area: Hoshino Resorts Tomamu Resonare and Club Med Tomamu Hokkaido.  Club Med Tomamu is a 4* All-inclusive ski-in ski-out resort which is great for both families, couples and a group of friends.

To view photos and get in-depth information on Club Med Tomamu, visit our #LOLSTAY experience post on Club Med Tomamu Hokkaido all-inclusive ski-in ski-our resort.

RECOMMENDED LINKS

• Lift ticket price for Hoshino Tomamu Ski Area
• Karifuri CAT Tour – special private snow limousine CAT tour into the deep nature with the finest Hokkaido powder

• #LOLSTAY experience post on Club Med Tomamu Hokkaido all-inclusive ski-in ski-our resort
• #LOLDO experience post on Snowboarding from La Plagne to Les Arc on the French Alps
• #LOLDO experience post on Aiguille Rouge – One of the Longest Runs on the French Alps, Les Arc, France
• #LOLDO experience post on Snowboarding in Vaujany French Alps

 

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JapanhokkaidoAll-inclusive resortsSkiing and SnowboardingSports and ActivitiesTomamuIce VillageFamily Vacation