Around 20km from Niseko, is another winter wonderland that is all worth the rave. We spent a couple of days here, exploring the huge resort. And compared to Niseko, I kind of like how it’s different. I mean there’s an amusement park there. I guess it is meant as a fun place to ski and for the entire family to be entertained when they’re taking a break from the slopes.
I wasn’t expecting much as I kept skiing by the resort hotel. Then I found out that you can take a gondola to get to the other side, and it’s so much fun to explore. I was still on my second season of skiing, and I stuck to greens and reds. Snow in Hokkaido is an experience by itself, having skied in different parts of Japan.
One of my best experiences was when we did the ski torch during New Year’s Eve. I was so happy it wasn’t during midnight because I was freezing! The New Year experience is something I wholeheartedly recommend to someone who will spend the holidays there. If you’re not confident with your skiing, you can enjoy watching the whole thing at the bottom of the slope. So it’s a win-win for everyone.
Just after the ski lift closed for the day, we all gathered and took the ski lift, and lined up into position. I guess the waiting part was the worst because standing there and not doing anything just made everything freeze up.
Anyway, there was a whole program with ski demos from the ski instructors and I wish I saw it in a better view, but I was lined up for our part with the ski torch. When the lights in the resort were all turned off, they handed us a torch and lit it up one by one. Someone was skiing and leading the group and all we had to do was follow their trail. I was one of the people at the end so I could see everyone from the back. It all looked so amazing.
Then cue the fireworks.
It was a New Year to remember.
