If you’re the type of person that likes to have an actual "holiday" when you go on a ski trip, then you need to put Club Med Sahoro high on your consideration set. Although Club Meds are often thought of as only for families, the experience actually caters to a wide audience - whether you are a family with young kids who are first-timers, a couple taking a hard-earned week off or a solo traveller that likes to mingle.
Club Med Sahoro is the original Club Med in Hokkaido and until 2017 it was the only one. However in 2017/18, the new Club Med Tomamu opened its doors not far from this location. While Tomamu will be newer, Club Med Sahoro still offers a great product and is a little cheaper than Tomamu. The rooms have been recently renovated (2019) and the fresh blue and gold tones throughout give the hotel a fantastic relaxing vibe throughout. There's so many things Scout loves about these rooms - really good storage, split king options, and deluxe rooms with sliding dividers to offer privacy and create a separate bedroom for kids. They've thought of everything!
To those unfamiliar with the Club Med ski product it’s an all-inclusive resort where everything is taken care of (including your room, drinks (yes, alcohol), all meals, ski lessons and daily entertainment). All Club Meds around the world have a unique method of hospitality as the “GO’s” (Gentil Organisateur) that have regular roles (such as receptionist or Kids Club coordinator) also act like hosts and mix and mingle with guests throughout their visit. You feel well looked after and are encouraged to have fun and get involved.
During Scout’s visit to Club Med Sahoro we saw all types of customers. Yes, it was definitely busy with families. Kids were allowed to run free and their screams and laughter heard in all corners of the resort were an indication of just how much fun they are having. But there were plenty of others enjoying the facilities - our ski group consisted of a middle-aged couple sans kids for which it was their second Club Med ski trip that year (the other was in France), an older Australian guy travelling solo and a Japanese couple whose kids were in lessons. All were super friendly and by the end of our short visit we were great friends.
But in many ways, it is for families for whom the Club Med product is so brilliant. Kids are looked after from the moment you drop them off in the morning to ski instructors or qualified child carers. Everyone re-groups at lunch, before heading out again for the afternoon. After skiing kids are treated to hot chocolates and snacks and there’s daily stage performances or even more activities before and/or after dinner. When it’s time to go to bed, they’ll crash so fast that the bartender will have only just had time to pour your next free cocktail by the time you’re back downstairs.
Club Med Hokkaido has excellent facilities. There is a day spa offering massages (additional cost), a swimming pool, hot tubs, games rooms for kids, a buffet dining room and separate restaurant and some non-skiing activities such as horse-back riding and rock climbing. Children from the ages of 2-17 have supervised care and activities from 8.30am – 8.30pm every day (hours vary by age and there is a break for dinner) and those older than four-years-old can participate in the ski lessons. Parents can spend as much or as little time with their kids as they like (kids don’t have to participate in all the activities). Join a yoga session, relax in the outdoor Canadian bath, or take part in an early après (or simply curl up with a good book by the fireplace) in the new bar area - it'll be hard to head back to reality after a stay at this Club Med!
During our visit, Scout bumped into an old school friend who was there with his wife and young kids for a week. When asked what they thought of the Club Med experience (it was their first Club Med and first family ski holiday) the mother said with a wry smile; “We actually feel guilty, we don’t have to do anything and really haven’t seen the kids that much, but they’re having an absolute ball. It’s so relaxing!” Considering that generally the words “relaxing” and “family ski holiday” are rarely put in the same sentence we thought that was a pretty good sign! If that sounds good to you, send us an inquiry and let Scout take care of everything for you (Scout can book any Club Med around the world).
