More than Slopes: 5 Non-Ski Attractions on your Family Ski Trip to Club Med Hokkaido

Off piste

Hokkaido has been a family ski destination fave since the opening of its very popular Club Med Sahoro resort, 30 years ago – and we were lucky enough to sneak a peek at Club Med’s newest Hokkaido resort addition, Club Med Tomamu! An easy, breezy 4.5 hour flight and a 90-minute bus ride away, Club Med Tomamu has officially opened its doors, slopes and chair lifts. In other words, it’s now ready to equip the whole family with everything you need to know for your time on and off the slopes…

For those of you new to the Club Med scene, it’s known for making family fun easy, with all-inclusive ski packages. Yes, all-inclusive, meaning: flights, rooms, ski-passes, group ski lessons, kids club, fitness centre classes, evening shows and unlimited food and drink. Swap your credit card for your Club Med wrist band and make family budgeting a cinch. Any extra ski gear, equipment or spa treatments are available at an extra cost. With full day and evening activities sorted, get the absolute most out of your family vacation. 

It’s worth keeping in mind that both Hokkaido resorts are open during Easter this year (though all key dates fill up fast). In fact, you can already pre-register for next winter by calling the Club Med hotline (3111 9388). Secured seats and best possible price? Planning ahead has it’s positives.

Click through the slideshow to see 5 non-ski attractions at Club Med Hokkaido…

If you’re a fan of the cold (or not), a tour around this neighbouring igloo-filled ice village is an ideal post-ski adventure activity. From an authentic Japanese hotpot restaurant and a marshmallow factory to artisanal cocktails at the Ice Bar, each igloo hosts something new and exciting to discover. The rest of the village is decorated with ice slides, glittering lights and an ice-skating rink. The vibe is magic and the photo-ops are infinite.

Looking for even more insta-friendly sites? The world iconic architectural wonder, Chapel on The Water is just around the corner.

Group ski lessons allow kids of all skill levels and ages to hone their ski or snowboard skills at their own pace in the morning and afternoon. But if you’re in need for something to tire out your tikes even more, Club Med has you covered with holiday childcare. With spaces and activities custom-made for each age group (ages 2 -17), parents are free to enjoy the holiday they deserve, while knowing the kids are in trusted hands of Club Med’s G.O.’s (Gentil Orgnanisateurs).

Baby Club Med: 4 to 23 months old (extra charge)
Petit Club Med: 2 – 3 years old
Mini Club Med: 4 – 10 years old
Junior Club Med: 11 – 17 years old

Seek shelter from the cold at Mina-Mina Beach, Japan’s largest indoor “beach”. This glass house (or mansion) beautifully contrasts the surrounding winter mountain terrain while keeping you toasty warm as waves crash inside. Waters are kept warm all year around at over 30 degrees Celsius, and in addition to the main pool with wave machine, there’s a 30cm shallow pool for your little ones. “Mina” translates to “smile” in the Ainu language, and definitely guarantees happy faces all around. While Mina-Mina Beach is privately owned, all Club Med Tomamu guests enjoy free entry.

The fun doesn’t stop at Club Med. You can expect daily live show evening entertainment hosted by none other than the multi-tasking, multi-talented Club Med G.O.s in the brand new lounge! Show themes have corresponding optional dress codes (Asian Elegant, All-White), so watch as the whole resort comes alive in preparation for the evening. As an extra treat, you’ll be able to see your Mini Club members strut their stuff and perform on stage on specific show nights. It’s a great way to encourage little ones to build and broadcast their confidence over the course of a family holiday!

One of the many perks to being a part of the big Club Med resort family is access to the other resorts and facilities in the area. Club Med Sahoro is just a short 30-minute shuttle ride away. Whether you’re looking to expand your mountain range (21 more slopes!) and tackle the slopes in Sahoro, spend a night in the more traditional Japanese suites, or widen your palette at the Mina Mina restaurant, it’s all available to you and your family.

The newest package lets you combine your stay at Sahoro Hokkaido with a stay at the newly launched resort, Tomamu Hokkaido for 4 nights. Simply call the hotline at 31119388 to get all the details!