TOMAMU
Tomamu is possibly the most luxurious winter resort
in Hokkaido, featuring a variety of accommodation,
exceptional restaurants, shops, a wedding chapel and
banquet halls. Covering a whopping 250 hectares, it is
one of the largest resorts in Japan. JR Tomamu Station,
which is located within the resort, is only 1.5 hours by
train from Sapporo, and 1 hour from the New Chitose
Airport.
Tomamu possesses some of the best quality snow in
Japan, and thanks to its unique location, the snow in
Tomamu is drier and more powder-like compared to
other resorts located on the west coast of Hokkaido - so
much so that even making a snowball is difficult!
Families will appreciate facilities such as the “Ice Village,”
an entire village made out of ice, and the “VIZ spa house,”
the largest indoor wave pool in Japan. Children can also
enjoy skiing and sledding in the “Kid's Park” or immerse
themselves in the challenges of “Adventure Mountain,”
a giant amusement skiing ground. Childcare services are
also available.
ACCOMMODATION
Tomamu has a broad range of accommodation all
directly connected to the ski slopes, with prices varying
accordingly. There are several luxurious hotels, at least
one of which offers jacuzzi and sauna facilities in every
room.
DINING AND DRINKING
There are between 6 and 15 restaurants operating in
Tomamu, depending on the season in which you visit.
Their menus provide a good diversity of dishes, and many
have specially designed kids and allergen-free menus.
AFTER SKI / NIGHTLIFE
The Ice Village provides a beautiful, dazzling experience in
the freezing, dark conditions of the middle of winter. The
entire village is made out of ice using special techniques
epitomized by the Ice Hotel, which is constructed entirely
of ice right down to the furniture. You can also enjoy a
drink at the Ice Bar, shop for souvenirs at the Ice Mall and
even have a wedding in a church made out of ice!
TOMAMU SKI RESORT www.snowtomamu.jp/english/
Number of Courses: 25(Beginner 25%,Intermediate 45%,
Advanced 30%)
Number of Lifts: 9 (Gondola 1, Chairs 8)
Longest Course: 4.5km
Vertical Drop: 699m
Snowboarding Park: Yes
Mogul slope: Yes
Half (Quarter) pipe: Yes (Biggest in Hokkaido)
One make jump: Yes
Hours: 9:00-16:00
Nighttime: 16:00-19:00
Season: Dec.-Apr.
Tomamu caters for every requirement of its guests, and
provides encouragement for skiers of all abilities, from
beginners to experts.
Tomamu sets itself apart from the pack with the “Advanced
Skier Liberation Area,” an ambitious program that seeks to
allow free off-piste skiing and snowboarding across the entire
Mount Tomamu area, with the exception of one hazardous
zone. Additionally, Tomamu offers tree or backcountry
skiing accessible via either CAT or helicopter. Experienced
skiers will enjoy the Heli and CAT skiing options, aided by
guides who can assist them in exploring untouched areas,
maximising the opportunities of each day’s ski conditions.
In just a 15-minute flight skiers can be transported to rarely
frequented mountains outside of Tomamu for the ultimate
advanced powder experience! The CAT tour will take skiers
to a rare area of champagne snow located within some
extreme, incredibly beautiful scenery. Skiers have sung the
praises of Tomamu’s “experts only” off-piste area, which
covers virtually the whole of Mount Tomamu, and facilitates
independent expert skiing, where the skier can decide their
own course and limitations. To visit this area, skiers need to
prove that they can ski at expert level.
Tomamu also boasts Japan’s finest 600m terrain park,
which undergoes maintenance twice daily by a team of
permanently stationed diggers. The park offers runs that
cater to a variety of abilities, and skiers and snowboarders
can enjoy Hokkaido’s biggest and highest half pipe which is
favoured as the training ground for Japan’s national team.
The Adventure Mountain is a 27-hectare facility for families,
where they can enjoy skiing together in a comfortable
environment. This huge amusement skiing-ground will keep
everyone happy for hours on end.
Another key feature of the Tomamu slopes is the “My Ski
Slope Plan,” which allows skiers to hire an entire slope, usually
the two courses located off Lift 1, which is then operated
exclusively for their use. This plan is particularly suitable for
snowsports clubs.
TOMAMU ALPHA RESORT: www.snowtomamu.jp/english/
SNOW ACTIVITIES
There are many activities to engage in at Tomamu
besides skiing. You can snow mobile across the wideopen
space that is used as a golf course during summer,
while the kids hop on the banana boat and enjoy
zipping through the winter scenery.
Snow trekking offers the unique opportunity to hike
up a woody slope before cruising down the snow on
your skis. Alternatively, you can use snowshoes to travel
down the forested areas of the mountain after taking a
lift to the top. There is also a snowshoe nature walk that
takes you to a secluded mountain hut where you can
enjoy a sumptuous dinner.
RESTAURANT AT THE VILLAGE ALPHA
Forest's casual restaurant "Nininupuri"(Buffet style)
The restaurant offers buffets of Japanese and Western
cuisine made with seasonal ingredients from Hokkaido,
and also serves fresh vegetables and dairy products
from the island. It is located in The Village Alpha.
