A new Setting Journals Feature - "A Day in The Life - 6PM-9PM", has been put online.

http://www.snowjapan.com/e/features/setting-journals-24.html

"Dinner has always been an important event for skiers and boarders. While some may skip breakfast to get out onto the slopes, or blow off lunch if the powder is especially good, by the time the final main meal of the day rolls around, most snow lovers are ravenous! For staff at the mountain working late in the main office, munchies inevitably make an appearance and the vending machine selling instant noodles always does a good trade at this hour. Resort guests on the other hand tend to be of a manner civilized to the point that proper cutlery is required, meaning that dining providing attractive nourishment in the midst of winter to a wide variety of tastes must be provided...."

http://www.snowjapan.com/e/features/setting-journals-24.html

Please note that the views expressed in any Features on SnowJapan are not necessarily those of SnowJapan.

Discuss it in this thread...

Blair - do guests at the hotels get to use the pool/spa etc for free or is there an extra charge for all that?

I may be wrong, but only The Club people get tickets for those facilities. Others have to pay. Tell me if I'm wrong...

The policy changed for the season just finishing.

Inn guests received passes for the Japanese baths & could enter the pool at a discount.

Lodge guests received passes for both the baths & pool.

Club guests receive a prioriy pass good for the pool, baths as well as priority boarding on the lifts.

Can you tell us a bit more about "priority boarding on the lifts"?

Priority Boarding on the lifts are linked to "priority passes" issued to all fully registered guests staying at The Club when they check-in. These passes are included within the accommodation rates paid by Club guests.

A priority pass is good for the entire stay at the resort (Yes, it is possible to use this passes for two full days, if you sandwich one night of accommodation between them). They enable guests to bypass any line ups for either the Gondola or chairlifts.

Other services linked to these passes include complimentary access to the Aqua Park Pool & Yu, as well as the Ski Cloak within The Club.

The Ski Cloak is a small reception area which is dedicated to serving the guest skiers (and boarders). This service begins from the time the guest arrives at the resort through until departure. Your gear will be waiting for you in this area, all unpacked and ready to go. The Ski Cloak also has a drying area, so when you're done for the day, the attendants will take your skis and gear and have everything dried, warm and ready for you the next morning.

This last season were there many queues at lifts at all at your resort?

Relatively no - given that the resort is not situated close to a bullet train line, the crowds of such resorts are not present here.

Despite the above, the priority pass is handy for the weekend mornings when guests queue to board the Gondola in the village prior to opening. It also lets staff of the resort know that holders of these passes are staying at The Club.