I’m told that once you’ve had a Club Med holiday with your family, you just keep coming back. A rather passionate mother tells me this as we chatter in ski school. This is my first time ”“ I’m a newbie.
While the all-inclusive package concept is becoming more and more popular, its not the only reasons families choose Club Med over and over again. This is it: Club Med make it easy for you.
And, apart from ski equipment, it really is ALL INCLUSIVE ”“ even the snacks at the mini bar and the hot chocolate on the slopes (much to the kids’ delight).
The resort really is designed for families, with large rooms equipped with cots, bottle warmers and baby baths if you need them, kid-friendly meals, kid-friendly staff and kids clubs suitable for kids of all ages.
Family Room
Club Med Sahoro is a 2-hour bus ride from Sapporo Airport in Hokkaido, and Hokkaido is Japan’s most northerly island. It has long been known as Japan’s mecca of winter sports since hosting the Sapporo Winter Olympics in 1972.
The climate guarantees plentiful snow and great powder on the slopes situated between 400 and 1000 metres.
So why Club Med Sahoro?
- The all-inclusive packages on offer include accommodation, all food and beverages, ski lift tickets, ski lessons and kids club. The only thing you’ll need to pay extra for is ski-hire.
- Champagne powder. Hokkaido is famous for it’s powder – the best in the world according to everyone here (including the many Canadians working here).
- On-snow skiing. Walk out the door of your hotel, put your skis on and head down the slope to the first lift. Easy.
- No queues. Club Med has this mountain all to itself – you’ll never have to stand in a lift queue and you’ll quite often feel like you’ve got the whole mountain to yourself.
- Kids’ clubs for all ages – from 2 to 17 years inclusive (that’s inclusive of age AND your accommodation package) – with skiing from age 4 and snowboarding from age 8.
- The kids get to experience the Japanese way of life with rooms decorated in a traditional style, including an elevated tea room that doubles as the kids’ bedroom in the evening and the new speciality restaurant, Mina Mina, where you can sample local cuisine with fresh ingredients from Hokkaido.
Club Med Kids
What to do”¦
- There’s a great range of beginner slopes within easy access of the resort so you never have to worry about your kids getting into trouble.
- If you’re up for more challenging runs, take the gondola to the top of the mountain and choose from any number of black runs, while the kids ski down a green run that winds all the way down – or they can take a zig-zag route down the other side.
- Grab a hot chocolate in the afternoon from the Wakka Bar after a (hard) day’s skiing and perhaps a pancake or two.
- Go for a swim in the heated indoor pool or soak in the “Ofuro” Japanese hot tub or the outdoors Canadian hot tub.
- Take a guided snow-shoe walk through the pine trees – you may even spot a deer or two.
- Watch the live entertainment in the theatre every night – there’s an early show just for kids so mum and dad can finish dinner in peace.
About Kids Club…
Club Med Baby Welcome is available for babies up to 23 months. A baby bath, cot, change table, high chair and bottle warmer will be provided in our room on arrival. NB – be sure to book this service in advance, as availability is limited.
Mini Club Med caters for kids between 4 and 10 years old and is open from 8am to 5pm and again from 6pm to 8pm. The kids will be placed in to ski lessons according to their abilities and can either join you for lunch or lunch with new-found friends.
During school holidays Juniors’ Club Med provides activities for kids between 11 and 17 years old.
Top Tips”¦
Club Med make it easy for you to do as much or as little as you like together with your kids. Make sure you have some “Me Time” as well and book yourself in for a massage at the Pirka Day Spa.
Book a table at Mina Mina Restaurant in advance of your stay as it has limited capacity. It’s definitely worthwhile trying out this local steam boat variation – but pay attention to your waiter’s instructions as it’s a bit complicated!
Find out more about Club Med Sahoro here, and find the best airfares here.
Deborah Dickson-Smith is a family travel expert having explored the world with her lovely children in tow. See more of her tips for travelling with kids at littlenomads.com.
