What are the key points for a successful ski debut?

Praise your child for even the smallest things they do - this is the secret to making them love skiing

We spoke to Mr. Mashima, an experienced Staff/staff member who has coached many children, about how to best support them on their ski debut.
"Just praise them for anything they do, even if it's small. For children, even putting on big boots can be a big challenge. By gently encouraging them with things like, "You can put your boots on," or "You can walk," they will gain confidence and become more motivated. In Hoshino Resorts' ski program, we place great importance on communicating with children from their perspective and helping them improve by gaining experience one step at a time."

Choosing a ski resort for beginners and a convenient hotel is also very important

"When you first start out, it's important to choose a destination and Property with great services. Please refer to the following four points."

Tip 1: Choose a ski resort with gentle slopes for beginners
If you go to a ski resort that mainly has wide, gentle slopes, children can ski safely.
Point 2: Check the completeness of rental items carefully
We recommend hotels where you can rent everything and just go empty-handed. You can buy equipment for your children after you have been there a few times and gotten used to it.
Point 3: If you are 5 years old or older, joining a school is the best way to improve your skills.
If you study with a coach, you can work hard and not get complacent, and you may be able to learn in a short amount of time.
Tip 4: Pull up before you get too tired
The desire to ski more leads to the next ski trip.

"Children improve quickly and soon they're able to enjoy skiing with their parents at the same level. I hope that their debut will be an opportunity for skiing to become an important part of family trips," says Majima.

Experience Family Introduction & 2-Day 1-Night Schedule

"I've never seen much snow before..." A close-knit family of 1-year-old and 5-year-old

The four family members who took on the skiing challenge were Chihiro (5 years old), Atsushi (1 year and 7 months old), and their parents. Snow is rare in Aichi Prefecture, where they live, and Atsushi in particular has never played in the snow before. Although his parents used to go skiing often, they haven't had the chance since giving birth.
"Chihiro is now five years old, so I thought it was about time for her to learn to ski properly so that we could have fun together. I would be happy if she keeps trying without worrying about making mistakes and uses it to build her confidence," said her father, talking about his feelings about her debut.

2-day, 1-night trip timetable

On the first day, when you arrive at the hotel, rent your clothing and gear for the next day so you can be at ease. The kids will be excited, so if they can get in touch with the snow right away, they'll be more satisfied. Have dinner early and make sure both parents and children get a good night's rest. You can enjoy Activity the next day to your heart's content.

What is "Yuki Kids 70"?

Hoshino Resorts-style ski lessons to support kids making their debut

"Yukidzu 70" is an original ski program developed by Hoshino Resorts to help children become more familiar with snow. It is designed to help children improve their skills in a short period of time, starting with preparation and progressing through games such as "Rock Paper Scissors" and "Daruma-san ga Koronda" in a fun-filled manner. By learning 70 steps at 6 levels, you can improve your skills for sure.

Yuki Kids 70 (reservations required)
◆Level 1 (Beginner) Ages 3 to 12 Free in-house debut lesson (approximately 30 minutes)
◆Levels 1-3 (Beginners and Intermediate) Ages 5-12 5,300 yen (approximately 1.5 hours, insurance included)
One-on-one lessons for ages 3 to 4: 8,000 yen and up (approximately 40 minutes, insurance included)
◆Private lessons: Ages 5 to 12: 15,000 yen and up (approximately 1.5 hours, insurance included)

*Please check the website for details on lesson periods, start times, fees, reservations, etc.

I like the electronic chart that shows my progress and the pin badges I get every time I reach a new level.

After the program, you can check your progress using the "Yuki Kids 70 Lesson Chart (electronic chart)," which will motivate you to take on the next challenge.
When participating, you do not need to bring anything other than a rental set of ski equipment (you can bring your own). Parents must accompany the participants to the venue, Fujimi Kogen Ski Resort. Direction is by the hotel's free shuttle bus (about 15 minutes) or by private car. The ski resort also has a "Kids Snow Land" for small children, where you can let your younger children play while waiting for your older children to finish their lesson.
There is also a free shuttle bus to Fujimi Panorama Resort, which has a kids' park (approximately 40 minutes).

★A word of advice from a veteran coach★
"The coaches for Yuki Kids 70 are all hotel Staff/staff member are used to playing with children. They are kind and teach lessons from a child's perspective, so everyone improves rapidly!
For 3- to 4-year-olds, it's better for mom or dad to be nearby to watch, so they feel more comfortable in case they suddenly need to go to the toilet." (Mashima)

Day 1: 12:30 Rent your clothing and gear

The kids got excited when they found their favorite outfit!

As soon as we arrived at the hotel, we started the rental process for our clothing and gear. We went to the Snow Resort Center on Piment Street, the main street in the hotel, and chose our favorite design from the colorful clothing lined up by size. Chihiro, who likes pink, purple, and light blue, was delighted to find clothing that mixed all three colors.
Here you can even rent gloves, goggles, and hats (for children only), free of charge for guests. "It's really helpful for families with small children to come empty-handed and be able to rent everything for free," said the mother.

★A word of advice from a veteran coach★
"Choose pants that are slightly longer and looser than the ones you normally wear. Ideally, you want a length that fits snugly over your boots," says Mashima.

Once you've combined your boots and skis, you're ready to go for your skiing debut!

After the clothing, you pick up your boots and skis. Staff/staff member will help ease any anxieties you may have before your first Experience. After selecting your clothing and other items on the second floor, you will receive the perfect boots and skis adjusted based on the information you registered in advance. This completes your ski preparations. The free bus stop to the ski resort is located right outside the building, making for a streamlined and stress-free route.
Clothing, boots, and skis can be rented for about an hour. If you plan to use boots, skis, boards, and poles for multiple days, you can store them at the Snow Resort Center.

★A word of advice from a veteran coach★
"When it comes to socks to wear while skiing, I think it's better to wear thicker socks so that your shins and toes are less likely to hurt. It's best to choose boots that provide a certain amount of support, so if you have any concerns, feel free to ask Staff/staff member for advice." (Mashima)

13:15 Snow debut at the hotel

A mini slope within the hotel where you can enjoy your snow debut with peace of mind

For a limited time, the "Yuki Kids 70 Snow Park" will be available on the premises, with two slopes of different inclines. It's right in front of Guest room, so there's almost no stress when moving around. On the mini slope, you can practice stopping with your skis on and getting off the lift and starting to ski.
On the day that Chihiro-chan and Atsushi-chan visited, there was not enough snow so the resort was closed, but we recommend taking a lesson in "Yuki Kids 70 (Level 1)" here, which is aimed at children who are Experience for the first time, so that they can get used to the snow before heading to the ski resort (free for overnight guests only, 30-45 minutes).

15:00 Check in and take a break

Relax with the whole family in our resort-like Guest room

After checking in, we headed to our room. The family cheered when they saw the spacious and stylish interior. "We can sleep here tonight!" Atsushi said with a cheer in his hands. Guests were given blocks and picture books to Guest room, and the two of them immediately started playing with them. Whether you want to put on your ski boots and stretch your tired feet on the daybed, or relax on the terrace surrounded by the trees at the foot of the Yatsugatake Mountains and the refreshing air, gazing at the sky, adults and children alike can enjoy a relaxing stay at the hotel.

Enjoy the unique production and services of a "wine resort"

Hoshino Resorts RISONARE Yatsugatake has a unique concept of a "wine resort" where you can enjoy wine and experience the culture and terroir of the region. The hotel offers a variety of suggestions that take advantage of its location in the Yamanashi and Nagano areas, which are home to many wineries. A unique service here is the "VINO BOX," which allows you to take out your favorite wine from the Yatsugatake Wine House inside the hotel and bring it to Guest room. Enjoying it in your room with nuts and cheese is an exquisite experience. The interior is in Bordeaux colors so that you can not only drink the wine during your stay, but also experience it visually.

17:30 Dinner time with a varied buffet

Hot grilled food and colorful vegetable plates bring a smile to everyone's faces.

By the time your stomach starts to rumble, the buffet and grill Restaurant "YYgrill" on the first floor is popular with families for its buffet filled with colorful arrangements of fresh ingredients, including vegetables from the Yatsugatake plateau. There are also fried chicken, mild curry, and French fries for children, and a wide selection of desserts, so children will be very satisfied. There is also porridge, so it can be used as baby food depending on the age of the child. The main dish for adults is served on a piping hot Nambu ironware plate, and the appeal is that you can slowly enjoy it with a fragrant herbal sauce.

A space where you can enjoy food to your heart's content while feeling close to wine

The menu also includes cheeses and nuts that are perfect for wine snacks. The restaurant offers a BYO (Bring Your Own) service (as do other Restaurant in the hotel), so you can bring in wines purchased at Yatsugatake Wine House. Also, pay attention to the murals of grapes and the design of the grape trellis above the tables. The unique worldview of Hoshino Resorts RISONARE Yatsugatake where you can enjoy wine with all five senses, unfolds before you.
Both Japanese and Western cuisine is available for breakfast, and dishes unique to Yamanashi such as Houtou and Sanzokuyaki are also popular.

Day 2: 8:40am Depart for the ski resort!

Now that we're all set, let's hop on the free bus and head to the ski resort!

"Last night, everyone went to bed at 9 p.m. (laughs). They slept so soundly," said Mama. Fully charged up, we set off for the ski resort first thing this morning.
To get to Fujimi Kogen Ski Resort, where Yuki Kids 70 will be held, take the free shuttle bus exclusively for guests from the hotel Parking. On a clear day, it's about a 15-minute drive along a forest road from which you can see Mt. Fuji, and you'll arrive at the ski resort at the foot of Mt. Amikasa and Mt. Nishi.
Another nice perk of staying at the hotel is that both adult and child guests receive free lift tickets (although the Fujimi Panorama Resort ski resort is only available to guests of elementary school age or younger).

The long-awaited lesson "Yuki Kids 70" has started

On this day, Chihiro participated in the "Yuki Kids 70 Private Lesson." This is a full-scale lesson that will definitely help you acquire skills, and is aimed at 5-12 year olds.
First, Staff/staff member and the children introduce themselves to each other. It's amazing how just calling each other by name can create a friendly atmosphere. They do some warm-up exercises, put on the skis one foot at a time, and teach the children carefully while giving lots of praise, so the children get into the groove. They learn to stop in a triangle pose and before you know it, they've completed Level 1, which has 21 steps!

★A word of advice from a veteran coach★
"Anyone who does something they have no experience with will feel anxious. But if you gain experience one thing at a time, your anxiety will go away and you'll be able to enjoy skating," says Mashima.

Step-by-step lessons for steady improvement

Using the key triangle pose, she controlled her speed and turned left and right to stop. As she began practicing leaning her body to touch her boots, she acquired the feeling of turning naturally. She fell many times along the way, but even then she seemed to enjoy it, laughing and quickly getting up and restarting. After about 90 minutes of lessons, she was able to reach the middle of "Level 2," which aims to "turn and skate freely." It was impressive to see that Chihiro had not only improved her technique, but also her mentality.

★A word of advice from a veteran coach★
"It depends on the individual, but from about the age of 5 onwards, I think it's best for parents to wait away after leaving their children with Staff/staff member. This allows children to concentrate on their instruction without relying on others, which leads to improved skills." (Mashima, above)

Get on the lift and ski down it all by yourself!

From the middle of the lesson, Chihiro got on the lift and skied down the 500m long gentle slope many times. After the lesson, she showed her mom and dad how to ski and stop skillfully. "You can ski properly in a V-shape!" said mom in surprise. "You can do it better than I thought you could," said dad, smiling. Chihiro herself said, "I want to be able to do a little better," and it seems she still wants to aim higher! Chihiro has completely fallen in love with the charm of skiing, so her ski debut was a great success!

★A word of advice from a veteran coach★
"At the end of the program, the children all say they want to do more, but it's good to end it there. It makes them want to go back again and look forward to it," says Mashima.

Atsushi plays on the sleds and other playground equipment at the Kids Snow Park.

The ski resort is located on the southern slope, so it is warm and a comfortable location for small children. In an area separated from the slopes to keep skiers out, there is a "Kids Snow Land" that is perfect for small children to play in the snow. In addition to playing on fluffy inflatable play equipment and sledding, there is also a "Petting Zoo/Alpaca Farm" where you can meet alpacas (check the website for opening dates).
This was Atsushi's first Experience snow. At first, he was surprised by the cold snow and was half crying, but once he got on the sled with his mother, he was in a good mood. This was also a successful snow debut!

12:00 Enjoy after-ski

A satisfying lunch to satisfy your after-ski hunger

Return to the hotel to return your rental gear, check out, and it's time for lunch. Kiyosato Ham, a restaurant on Piment Street, is a shop run by a factory that makes authentic ham and sausages. They also have a kids' menu with curry and pizza.
We also have lively conversations about what happened during the lesson.

Stroll Piment Street Street, lined with resort-style goods and restaurants

The hotel's 160m-long main street, "Piment Street," is lined with 19 unique shops. This is the place to look for souvenirs, such as handmade ham, rich baked cheesecake, and specialty coffee. There are also many tasteful items from overseas, such as France and Scandinavia, so you're sure to find a wonderful memento of your trip. There is also a wide variety of restaurants, including Western cuisine, soba, and cafes, which will increase your satisfaction with your stay.
While you're strolling, we recommend taking a commemorative photo with the hotel's iconic cylindrical Bellini Tower in the background.

Don't worry if you get tired of skiing! A large pool that's popular with children

A serious surfing spot where you can enjoy big waves up to 1.2m

When the weather is bad or you get tired of skiing, it's a great help to have other Property to enjoy. "Il Mare" located inside the hotel is a heated pool that can be used all year round, modeled after the ocean spreading out in the forest. Once every hour after opening, for 10 minutes, powerful waves crash on the shore, making it fun for adults and children alike! Swimsuits, swim rings and other accessories can be rented (for a fee), making it convenient for sudden changes in plans (admission is free for all guests with a free pass. Pool towels are provided/guests can enter the pool before check-in and after check-out).

An exciting kids' area reminiscent of a forest waterside

Behind the wave pool is a forest-themed water play area. Wall graphics covering the entire wall create a lively and fun atmosphere. Leaf motifs are scattered throughout the area, such as a fountain where water spurts out in the shape of a leaf and a slide that resembles the unevenness of a leaf, creating an atmosphere befitting a highland resort. The play equipment has playful names such as "Jumping Switch" and "Hide and Seek Shower." Sofas are placed in a position overlooking the kids' area, allowing you to relax and keep an eye on your children.

A relaxing book cafe and wine house

Approximately 3,000 books, from picture books to photo books! "A bookstore with a cafe"

"BOOKS & CAFE" on the first floor of the hotel is a bookstore with a wide variety of books, including Yatsugatake photo books, plants, outdoor activities, and cooking. Picture books for small children are also available, so it is perfect for families. The wooden shelves that fill the entire wall create a bright, natural atmosphere, making it a relaxing and relaxing space. There is also a cafe, where guests can be seen spending a blissful time taking a coffee break while leafing through the pages of their favorite books. You can also find stylish miscellaneous goods such as postcards and stationery.

A must-visit during your stay: Yatsugatake Wine House, where you can find the best wines

Be sure to also visit the Yatsugatake Wine House next to BOOKS & CAFE. It has an innovative system that allows you to easily self-tasting 24 carefully selected wines from Yamanashi and Nagano using a dedicated server. Pour your desired amount and compare the wines at the chic counter Experience that can only be had at a wine resort. Wines from the Yatsugatake winery Domaine Mie Ikeno, for example, have an elegant and supple flavor that seems to encapsulate the local terroir, making them perfect for meals. BYO your favorite wine for dinner and enjoy it to your heart's content - that's the Hoshino Resorts RISONARE Yatsugatake way.

Impressions from my first 2-day, 1-night ski trip

I want to ski again! This is what makes mom and dad happiest.

The two-day, one-night skiing trip was over in a flash. I was nervous but it was fun, and I went home with lots of memories, including a nice hotel.
"Until recently, she was shy around strangers, but now she can participate in lessons by herself, which shows that she has grown. We were also happy that she has improved more than we expected. Staff/staff member took good care of her and were used to children, so we were able to leave her in their care," said the parents. Their joy was doubled when Chihiro, who has now become a big fan of skiing, said, "I want to ski more."

When children are young, it's a great opportunity to take a family trip and experience nature.

"I thought skiing with kids would be hard, but the hotel we stayed at let us rent all the ski equipment, even the accessories, for free, and they also had a shuttle bus to the ski resort, so it was really easy. All I prepared in advance was underwear and socks to keep warm. I also brought a little more of my kids' favorite snacks than usual in case they got fussy (laughs)." The stress-free trip brought smiles to both parents' faces, and it seems like the hurdles to traveling with kids have been lowered.
"Once the kids get a little older they'll probably be too busy to go out as a family, so I want to have as much fun as I can while I can. We'll go skiing as a family again next year (laughs)!"