It’s time to escape the heat as well as hustle and bustle of the city. Join our writer on his winter trek to Hokkaido, Japan, for a snowy escapade. What? Exchange sand for snow, and trade balmy weather for sub-zero temperatures? Give up the surf board for snowboard?
Hmm, I usually prefer to head for some island or the seaside for my holidays. But since it’s winter time in the northern hemisphere, I decide this year to don my down jacket and boots instead of swimming trunks and make my way to an equally hedonistic retreat up in northern Japan.
Spending quality time together. — REGGIE LEE Please let there be snow . . . That seems to be the mantra amongst everyone at Club Med Sahoro, a winter resort on the northernmost island of Hokkaido. In fact, the evening’s entertainment at the theatre begins with a “snow meditation” where Chef de Village, Ben Martin, encourages everyone to pull their energy together and concentrate on more snow falling so that it’ll be good for skiing the next day.
That’s really what it’s all about when you come for a vacation at this winter wonderland. Great snow. Great skiing.
Admittedly, I was a little sceptical about spending five whole days in what I consider arctic weather, but as we land in Obihiro Airport, my spirits soar at the snow-covered landscape that’s so stark and white it resembles a beautiful Christmas card straight out of Hallmark.
Going for a thrilling ride in a chairlift. — REGGIE LEE If the temperatures are frigid, the welcome given by all the GOs at Club Med Sahoro more than melts the heart. I can’t ask for a warmer, friendlier reception, and my first impression of the resort is one of Scandinavia meets North America meets Japan.
My room is cheerfully colourful, cosily snug and most importantly, comes with huge windows that accord a stunning view of the snow-covered grounds. There’s no better way to wake up in the morning than with a steaming cup of ocha and the sight of fat snowflakes silently falling.
I’m dreaming of a white . . .
For everyone who comes to Club Med Sahoro, the winter activities are the biggest attraction. The snow in Hokkaido is famed amongst skiers the world over for its fine, dry, powder-like consistency, making the slopes a dream to ski and snowboard on.
Matthieu Desbiens, director of the resort’s ski school, elaborates, “The mountain here is for the sole use of Club Med and another small resort, ensuring that you don’t have to endure long lines at the chair lifts. And there are more than 20 different trails down, from easy slopes to more challenging ones, so skiers never get bored.”
Not only is the quality of the snow phenomenal, but the way Club Med organises all the snow activities also makes life easy.
I’ve experienced other ski resorts where you either have to take a bus or travel a certain distance to the ski lifts, but here at Club Med, it really is “ski-in, ski-out” where you can strap on your skis and literally ski out the door and onto the snowfields.
Chef Nathan from Malaysia grilling up giant Hokkaido scallops. — REGGIE LEE In the high season, which starts in December and goes on all the way till the beginning of April, there are more than 30 instructors for both skiing and snowboarding, all highly experienced and infinitely patient with little kids and bungling idiots like me!
Matthieu makes skiing sound very easy, but then, coming from Quebec, he was probably skiing before he walked.
He explains that while snowboarding requires you to place your feet sideways, you ski in the same direction as you walk, so it’s just a matter to getting used to swishing along.
Alas, my efforts end with me polishing the slopes more with my bum, but all the other guests assure me nothing beats mastering the sport and feeling the accompanying rush.
A familiar face hails me, and it’s Yukio, a GO I last met in Club Med Kani in the Maldives. A superb snorkelling instructor, she is now here as a snowboard instructor, being equally adept on the slopes as she is underwater.
Admittedly, snowboarding is a little more challenging than skiing. but it provides infinite excitement for youngsters. It’s a sight to behold when Yukio and the other snowboarders swoosh and whiz down the slopes like tiny, scurrying ants.
Jingle all the way
While couples and groups of friends do make their way here for a winter vacation, the year-end holidays, with schools on break, are a fantastic time for families to enjoy “together” time. With children clamouring, “I want to see snow!” and “I want to build a snowman”, it makes perfect sense to head for Club Med Sahoro.
The added convenience of an “all-inclusive” package where everything is included in the price you pay, from meals and snacks to unlimited drinks, ski lessons and free ski lifts, means that guests don’t have to worry about a thing.
It puts me to shame to see the little ones out in the snow, mastering the kiddie slopes with ease. I can see that the instructors are absolutely serious about the safety of their charges, insisting that everyone wear their helmets (mandatory and provided for by the resort), and follow instructions. Yet, there is ample time for the tots to have fun tumbling down the little hills, having snowball fights and, of course, building snowmen. They are even discovering the joy of making a snow angel simply by falling backwards onto the powdery soft snow and flapping their arms up and down.
With the convenience of a Petit Club for two- to three-year-olds, as well as Mini and Junior Clubs for slightly older kids, parents can take off for the slopes themselves, assured their children are taken care of every step of the way.
Club Med GOs see that tiny tots finish up their food. — REGGIE LEE Mini Club GOs including Robert, make playtime a time of discovery and fun for their charges, providing games, activities and movies throughout the day and night, even to the extent of supervising their mealtimes.
A Malaysian family I bump into explains that while they have visited quite a number of skiing destinations with their three teenagers, including Whistler in Canada and Australia, Club Med Sahoro has the added advantage of offering an all-inclusive package, “Everything’s taken care of here; they cater for every level of skier, so we each do our own thing and nobody feels left out.”
With a wistful sigh, they add, “We’re booked to stay for five days, but now we wish it were longer.”
Ski in style
So, you must be wondering, what is there to do after the skiing and snowboarding? Lots. Literally lots.
The gym, with fitness and yoga classes scheduled throughout the day, offers a warm and calm sanctuary to work out in comfort.
To relax and ease those tired, aching muscles, the Japanese pool is a great way to unwind.
For the more adventurous, the open-air Canadian bath is a must. Similarly, the Japanese onsen that I opt for provides the sensation of soaking in a steaming hot pool in the open while lifting your face to the snowflakes that gently float down.
Stick your tongue out to have a couple melt on it — ahhh, bliss. After a killer workout on the slopes, the Pirrka Spa manages to combine the best of both Japanese and western spa techniques to rejuvenate the body.
Club Med Sahoro offers a fantastic buffet spread, and being in Japan, some of the best in Japanese cuisine. Every meal in the restaurant is a gourmand’s paradise.
Hokkaido is famous throughout Japan for its produce, and so at lunch and dinner, I look forward to a different speciality, including Hokkaido beef, tuna sashimi, crab, cheese, fruits and vegetables, and scallops as large as my fist, grilled to perfection by Chef Ravin on an open air barbecue pit. Chef even obliges children with carrots for their snowmen! Despite my strenuous efforts out in the cold, I notice my ski suit getting more and more snug by the day!
Everyone at the resort, kids and adults alike, eagerly awaits the after-dinner entertainment scheduled in the theatre. Despite having been to a number of Club Meds in the region, I am totally bowled over by the high quality of the acts here.
I join the audience to enjoy a stunning light show with fantastic dancers, and am enthralled by a magic show that leaves all of us with our jaws dropping.
What proves to be the pièce de résistance is the Circus night, where village chief Ben himself performs along with some of the more acrobatic GOs, swinging high in the trapeze and balancing on ropes. The evening ends with an awesome bonfire complete with fireworks and ice bar out in the snow.
It’s hard to say Sayonara
Snow is still falling as I leave the resort, providing a fluttery, silently fleeting farewell. I will still continue to holiday by the beach and enjoy my sun sports. But would I also grab the first opportunity to head for the wintry slopes of Club Med Sahoro? You betcha!
Soaking it all in at a Japanese onsen. Ritual bath
Remove all your clothes (yes, all) and head for the shower or bathing area, with the little towel provided. Then proceed to scrub yourself all over, and I mean scrub every nook and cranny.
The Japanese, I note, spend easily 15-20 minutes on this cleansing ritual alone. Only when you are squeaky clean do you lower yourself carefully into the bath. Sink in slowly until only your head is above water. Enjoy.
Getting there
JAL offers a good package, flying from Kuala Lumpur to Narita Airport in Tokyo. From here you can transfer to Haneda Airport for a domestic flight to Obihiro Airport where a Club Med bus will pick you up.
WHEN TO GO Between December and April for the best snow.
WHERE TO STAY Club Med, Sahoro, Japan. An all-inclusive package (excluding flights) starts from RM800 per adult, and you can book now until Jan 30 to enjoy RM1,200 off per adult. Find out more at www.clubmed.com.my or call (03) 2161 4599.
WHAT TO BRING Clothing and shoes to withstand really cold weather. Skis and ski boots are provided, and ski suits for both adults and children can be rented at the resort, but bring your own hat, gloves, scarf and sunglasses or goggles. Sunscreen is advisable as the winter sun can be harsh.
WHAT TO DO Ski, snowboard, snow trek, skate, have snowball fights, build snowmen, relax, recharge, rejuvenate . . .
