Tomamu is run by Hoshino Resorts and is loved by a variety of travellers, from hardcore skiers to families. It is a massive resort that is made up of two accommodation facilities: RISONARE Tomamu (luxury accommodation), and Tomamu The Tower.
Let’s start with what makes the ski area itself so great. Hardcore snow goers will be pleased to have access to off-piste areas, designed for advanced skiers and snowboarders, as they are open for those who are prepared to shred the courses. Skiing or snowboarding off designated courses is generally prohibited in Japan since safety can’t be guaranteed and it is difficult to send patrols out to these areas. However, in Tomamu as long as you are an advanced-level skier or snowboarder, you can access these areas provided that you pre-register at the Experts Only Powder Area desk.
Since you’ll find yourself hiking up to a huge expanse of an off-piste area, the chances of coming across untouched, top-quality powder snow following a night of snowfall are high.
Tomamu has made a commitment to winter mountains, with the aim of creating and spreading the word about ultimate powder-snow areas and safe winter mountain fun outside of managed slopes. The resort is striving to develop a winter-mountain culture that allows both fans of snow sports and casual travellers to enjoy the snow and nature in its natural form.
Of the variety of facilities offered at Tomamu, most notable is the “The Muhyo (frost trees) Terrace,” situated at an elevation of 1,088 metres. The Muhyo (frost trees) Terrace offers views of “hoarfrost”— a phenomenon where mist freezes onto trees when the temperature drops to minus 2-10 degrees Celsius. You can also find the magical “Ice Village,” which only appears at night, as well as a range of activities that utilise the cold, such as admiring the “Ice Hotel” and “Ice Chapel”, sculptures crafted from single blocks of ice.
The perfect kids’ program for first-time skiers
One of the factors that makes Tomamu so great is that it has courses designed to satisfy skiers and snowboarders of all levels, from experts to first time skiers.
The kids’ ski program is designed to take full advantage of the skiing conditions created by the high-quality snow.
The Yukids 70 (snow-kids 70) program utilises everything on offer with professional instructors teaching children how to hop onto lifts and then learn how to have fun on the slopes. This program is named for the 70 steps along the journey that kids will take to learn the joys of skiing and is an original method that is sure to make parents happy too. This method covers all the bases, from how to ride ski lifts to the techniques of skiing and beyond. Parents can also appreciate the childcare services on offer.
Tomamu’s commitment to ensuring that both children and adults enjoy their stay are part of what keeps people coming back.
Get up close to the dynamic sea of clouds on the Unkai Terrace
The Muhyo (frost trees) Terrace is an observation deck that treats visitors to up-close dynamic views of cloud vistas drifting across when the weather conditions are just right. It is situated at an elevation of 1,088 metres atop Mount Tomamu and can be accessed via The Muhyo (frost trees) Terrace in approximately thirteen minutes. You can then drop by another observation deck to the “Kumo Cafe” to feast on one of their many cloud-inspired desserts, or hop over to one of the other six unique observation spots around.
Kids and adults can find ways to have fun in any weather through the facilities on offer. If the snowfall is severe, enjoy a visit to the all-weather pool or a trip to Mina-Mina Beach to tear up the largest indoor wave pool in Japan. Not a fan of water sports? Then soothe your tired body in the “Kirin-no-Yu” outdoor bath, or pamper yourself with a spa beauty treatment to work out those knotted muscles after shredding the slopes. You’ll want to stick around a while with all the things on offer.
