Spring Skiing in Japan: My Stay at Club Med Tomamu Hokkaido

More Than Just a Ski Holiday

If you’ve ever assumed spring skiing means slushy snow, crowded slopes and “end of season” conditions, Club Med Tomamu completely proved me wrong.

Located in Hokkaido, Japan, Club Med Tomamu is an all-inclusive ski resort that combines incredible skiing, luxury accommodation, amazing food and stress-free travel all in one place. With lift passes, ski lessons, dining, drinks and entertainment all included, it’s the kind of holiday where you can simply arrive and enjoy.

What surprised me most though was just how good the snow still was, despite travelling towards the end of the season. We had beautiful bluebird days, fantastic coverage on the mountain and far fewer crowds than peak winter, which honestly made the whole experience even better.

Between attempting to learn snowboarding (with varying levels of success 😂), soaking in outdoor onsens surrounded by snow, discovering my newly acquired taste for the premium self-serve soju station, eating way too much incredible Japanese food and international cuisine, and somehow finding the energy to race Mario Kart ski bikes down the mountain, Club Med Tomamu ended up being so much more than just a ski holiday.

Bluebird skies, fresh snow and surprisingly warm spring days. Club Med Tomamu completely changed my expectations of end-of-season skiing in Japan.

Why the Club Med Lessons Work So Well

Included as part of your stay are group ski and snowboard lessons each morning after breakfast and again after lunch, with lessons graded according to your ability level. The lessons aren’t compulsory either, so if you’d rather spend the day exploring the mountain at your own pace you absolutely can. But with classes catered to everyone from complete beginners right through to advanced and expert riders, it honestly feels silly not to take advantage of having professional instruction included as part of the experience.

Having only ever skied before, I decided to challenge myself and give snowboarding a go. In my head, I fully expected to be confidently shredding after lesson one… unfortunately my actual ability had other ideas.

That said, the instructors were incredibly patient, kind and encouraging, and I honestly could not have asked for a better experience.

One thing I really loved was that the instructors stay with your group on the mountain throughout the day, so even if you’re travelling with people of different abilities, you never feel like you’re on your own or have to ski or snowboard separately all day. Everyone naturally regroups for lunch at the restaurant between lessons before heading back out for the afternoon session, then eventually meeting at The Nest for après-ski drinks once the day wraps up.

Another thing I really liked about the lessons was how easy it was to meet people. I was technically solo in my snowboard group at first, but very quickly bonded with the other beginners over our shared inability to stay upright.

There’s something very humbling about all falling over together on a mountain that immediately turns strangers into friends. Everyone naturally cheered each other on, laughed through the disasters and celebrated every tiny win, like successfully making it down without stacking it.

While I definitely wasn’t flying down the mountain on day one, or even day two, I still managed to progress up a lesson level and successfully tackle the lifts on my snowboard.

Snowboard lessons at Club Med Tomamu in Hokkaido were the perfect mix of learning new skills and meeting new friends

Après-Ski, Cocktails & Dining at Club Med Tomamu

One of my favourite spots at Club Med Tomamu was definitely “The Nest” an adults only lounge within the resort featuring a cosy alpine atmosphere, fireplace and beautiful snowy forest surrounds.

With the beautiful bluebird days we experienced, relaxing there with one of their signature cocktails, “The Nest” featuring sake and a few other delicious ingredients, quickly became a daily ritual. The cocktail menu quickly started feeling more like a checklist because obviously one must try them all! It was dangerously easy to have more than one.

The Nest perfectly captures what makes Club Med Tomamu feel like more than just a ski resort. It’s not only about the snow and activities, but also the atmosphere, scenery and slowing down properly for a few days.

That same feeling carried through to the dining experience, which honestly exceeded all expectations.

The main restaurant offered an incredible variety each day and genuinely felt like a dining experience rather than just a buffet. From fresh sushi and sashimi to seafood, international favourites, live cooking stations and amazing desserts, every meal felt indulgent whether it was breakfast, lunch or dinner after a day on the slopes.

The Unkai Bar is the perfect spot for specialty coffees, morning tea, afternoon tea and supper throughout the day. Because we travelled during spring skiing season rather than peak winter, we were lucky enough to sit out on the terrace in the sunshine watching the early morning riders heading down the mountain while enjoying our coffee, such a relaxing way to start the day before joining our lessons.

One of the standout experiences though was dining at HAKU, the resort’s yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) specialty restaurant. Even the walk there felt like part of the experience. Wandering through the long glass-lit corridor surrounded by snow outside honestly felt a little magical, like you were heading somewhere really special hidden within the resort.

Once seated, plates of fresh meats, seafood and vegetables are brought to your table for you to cook yourself over the BBQ, which made the whole experience feel interactive, relaxed and very Japanese.

Après-ski at The Nest, Club Med Tomamu the perfect spot to unwind with signature cocktails, cosy fireplace and snowy forest views after a day on the slopes in Hokkaido, Japan

Mina-Mina Beach

Another huge bonus of staying at Club Med Tomamu is having access to Mina-Mina Beach, located just across the road from the resort and included as part of your stay.

Mina-Mina Beach is actually home to Japan’s largest indoor beach, featuring a huge wave pool kept at a tropical 30 degrees year-round which feels very surreal when surrounded by snow outside.

The wave sessions run every 30 minutes and create such a fun atmosphere, especially for families or anyone wanting a break from skiing and snowboarding.

For me though, the real highlight was the outdoor onsen experience. After a day on the mountain, soaking in the warm outdoor baths while surrounded by snow was incredibly relaxing and felt so uniquely Japanese.

It’s another reason why Club Med Tomamu feels like so much more than just a ski holiday, it’s the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation and experiences you wouldn’t normally expect from a snow trip.

Mina-Mina Beach, Japan’s largest indoor wave pool and the perfect break from the slopes.

Mario Kart Energy

For the non-skiers and non-snowboarders wondering what to do in the snow, one of many options is to rent Mario Kart/ski bike hybrid things and absolutely send it down the mountain.

Naturally, one must prepare for this highly professional athletic event by stopping at KUMO Cafe first. They’re known for their “Cloud Cakes” and “Cloud Soft Serve” while people wait for the UNKAI (sea of clouds) to appear.

Honestly, the cloud cake and cloud soft serve turned out to be elite race fuel for getting down the mountain. We laughed the entire way down and somehow made it to the bottom in one piece. Adrenaline + whipped cloud goodness = success.

Mario Kart ski bikes, mountain views and cloud-soft serve fuel easily one of the funniest ways to experience the snow at Club Med Tomamu.

Final Thoughts on Club Med Tomamu

If you’ve been thinking about a Japan snow holiday, Club Med Tomamu is genuinely one of those places that makes the entire experience feel easy, exciting and unforgettable all at once.

From bluebird spring skiing days and incredible food to outdoor onsens, après-ski cocktails and the kind of atmosphere that makes you never want to leave, it’s so much more than just a ski resort.

Whether you’re travelling as a couple, family, group of friends or even solo, it’s the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation and all-inclusive luxury and after experiencing it for myself, I can completely understand why so many people return year after year.