Kiroro Resort

Kiroro sits in a mountain bowl above the fishing town of Otaru, a little closer to Sapporo than Niseko and with a reputation for receiving some of the heaviest snowfall of any resort in Japan. Two peaks, Asari and Nagamine, share a compact base with two large hotels, so the lifts are a short walk from any bed. The upper slopes keep cold, dry snow late into spring, and a system of marked gates opens tree runs and side-country bowls when conditions allow. Because the resort is smaller and quieter than its famous neighbour, lift lines are rare and fresh tracks last; many visitors pair a few days here with a stay in Otaru's canal district or Sapporo. The compact layout also makes it an easy resort for families and groups of mixed ability.