Kiroro Peak Japan

My family had private ski lessons for five days with Montague and William as our instructors. The lessons were excellent. They were very kind, supportive, and patient. We would love to have Montague and William again for our skiing lessons next season. My kids liked them very much. The other services at the resort were also very good. We look forward to coming back in the future.

We had a fun 5 days at Kiroro -
shame it was so short. Hotel is nice and modern and the team were great.
Wonderful food every day. Head Chef Gabriel was everywhere and looked after us super well. Thank you for a great experience

I have had the fortune of going to ClubMed since I was young. I've had many memories and experiences. Be it the facilities, variety of activities, convenience, food or the service, I have always ended my stay extremely satisfied and wishing for more.

However, as good as the facilities and activities are, I think the GOs (ClubMed Staff) are the ones that truly make the place what it is. I have come across many GOs who all put in their efforts into making each of my stays as hassle free, enjoyable and memorable as possible. Yet, I've never thought of a way to really show my appreciation outside of the usual words of thanks and a smile.

The following words are to those whom I have interacted with personally or was a benificiary of their efforts.

Please do understand that I have had different levels of interaction with everyone, as such I may have more to say about some and less to say about others. I seek understanding on this point, and hope no one takes any offence.

Additionally, there is a chance that I have already been forgotten by my mentioned GOs. It is only understandable, as you run through thousands of guests in a season, but it matters not to me, just treat me as an annonymous someone that appreciates what you do.

To David, who took my class as a club 4 skii instructor, I cannot thank you enough for your coaching and guidance. My parents and I have benefitted from your teachings so much that I do not know where to begin.

The way you meticulously teach, guide and emphasise on the core fundamentals of skiiing is something that matters alot. Be it how to hold a pole, or the position of the body, you are grounded in what you know is important for the safety and technique advancement of a skiier.

You go through the drills that are necessary, ensuring that I maintained good skiiing habbits even on the easiest of slopes. Most students do not find that as enjoyable, and some instructors do cave in and relax on the drills to make the lesson more fun. I myself was abit reluctant at first, especially after not having skiied for 2 years, I was desperstely aching for ascending my skii level back to how it was and just having fun. However, when you heard my thoughts, of wanting to be lazy on easy slopes and ascending to club 5 after just one morning, you resolutely held your ground and expressed that I was not ready, which I believe was crucial to me on this trip. Seeing your sincerity and dilligence in how you taught, I followed your advice and stayed in your class until you confirmed I was ready.

I cannot express how much that helped me. Going back to club 5, club 6, skiiing by myself, leaving ClubMed and going to Niseko to skii, I remembered your drills and advice from club 4 during my entire skii journey. They helped me regain and perhaps even surpass my former ability to skii before my injury, it was as if I never left. My balance, speed, control, all came back built upon the foundations I had forgotten. Without your guidance at the start, I do not know if my ability to skii and enjoy skiiing would have been the same throughout the trip, with my worry for my injury and lack of ability from being away from skiiing for so long.

Secondly, thank you for taking good care of my parents. The way you teach has helped them as much as it has helped me, and it shows your ability to guide anyone according to different levels. Our talks at the dinner table often come to singing your praises when we discuss their skii lessons for the day. Of course, I'm sure you have already understood their appreciation for you.

Finally, skii instructor aside, thank you for being a great person. It was enjoyable to have dinner chats with you and catch a bit of you dancing at the bar. Thanks for letting me tag along in your class randomly in the middle of the mountain and showing me new paths to skii on. You have made a strong impact on my whole family and I want you to know that your efforts are appreciated.

Next, to William, another skii instructor who took me on club 5 and promoting me to 6, your lessons were really enjoyable, especially the afternoon session. Additionally, your ability to handle anyone from all ages and skill levels, from the amazing young kid with us to the Japanese lady, allowed us all to enjoy your lesson despite being from completely different age groups. Thank you for providing us with a fun day of skiiing, even spending the extra effort to record videos for us.

To Boyan, my club 6 instructor, the way you take care and accomodate for people is admirable. Willing to split students with club 5 and lighten their burden could be said to be something that any instructor would do, but it is a kind gesture nonetheless. I can see you do it not out of duty but because you genuinely believe it is important to help others. Especially when my dad had his skiis taken by another student and he lost his class, you took him despite being 2 classes lower and spent the effort to help him even though you had no obligation to. The way you talked to me about how you should be responsible for other skiiers shows me that you care for all skiiers and will take care of them and help them if you have the ability to. I think it is very admirable that you do so and try to demonstrate that mindset by example to your students. Thank you for being so accomodating.

There was a snowboard instructor as well, from Singapore, by the name of Ethan. I never got coached by him, but he has joined us for meals and was very pleasant to talk to. It was nice to see someone from home in a place far away. He was very friendly and always stopped by to chat and offered good advice on how to become an instructor when my sister and I expressed interest. He also looks really fit and young which serves as a reminder to me to keep myself fit and healthy. Thank you for the pleasant chats and instructor advice.

Lastly for the skii instructors, there is Yukari. I may not have had much interaction with you, but I learned that despite not teaching you stand at the departure every day ensuring people get to their classes and instructors. Doing what most would consider a mundane job with a smile every time takes considerable effort, and I just want you to know that there are people like me who acknowledge what you do.

Next on the list, is a chef who I believe is named Dilla, from Indonesia. Every morning she mans her breakfast station and prepares me food with diligence and a smile. Despite having so many guests she somehow still remembers who I am after a couple of brief interactions and makes the effort to make small talk despite barely knowing me. The food at the restaurant is always top notch, and it makes my breakfast experience that much better knowing that the chef put in the effort to remember me, for that, I thank you.

Small mention from the restaurant, I think their name was Mint, I could not quite see the name tag so I may have got it wrong. I woke up late for breakfast and she was in the midst of setting the tables for lunch. Seeing me looking for a seat despite it being closing time, she re-set the table from lunch to breakfast for me. I have worked briefly in a restaurant before and I know it can get frustrating when customers make you do unnecessary things. I may not have known you, but thank you for your silent efforts everyday.

From the bar, there is Rakesh. He is the reason I even am writing this review in the first place. Without him telling me about how writing reviews can help his fellow colleagues and show my appreciation, I never would have known or considered this to begin with. Thank you for taking the time to ask me to write a review not for yourself but for your colleagues.

Also from the bar, Zal, thank you for always checking my age before making drinks, it must be tiring but I appreciate that you take the safe approach. A drink over a game of pool after a day of skiiing always closes out the day well. Thanks to that I think the bar might be my second most frequented place besides the skii slopes.

Then there is Marcela, who joined my family for dinner on her first day coming into ClubMed. Shes always nice to my family and remembers from just having one dinner together. Always making sure we have enough to drink, approaching everyone with a smile and being pleasant to chat with, no GM would think it was her first week on the job. Thank you for brightening up my nights.

Chief Eva, thanks making it a point to talk with the GMs, be it along the corridors or during mealtimes. It made me feel seen when you recognised my jacket. I may not be able to come back to ClubMed as often as a guest, but I definitely will consider coming back as a GO a few years down the road.

Lastly, probably the least seen and most under appreciated of all, there is a man named Li. I believe he is part of the cleaning staff, and was the one who makes my room everyday. Having been to so many hotels, those who clean my rooms are the ones I see the least, and yet their job is the one that impacts me the most.

Having a clean, organised room to return to might be the most important thing to me. When the guests are gone in the day they work tirelessly without ever seeing some of the people they are cleaning for, yet they do it all the same. I only ran into him coincidentally on the day I woke up late, when he wanted to clean my room and I was washing up. He greeted me with a smile, explained to me why he was knocking, switched languages when he understood I could speak Chinese, and provided the same kind and cheerful service any GO could provide, despite doing one of the most underappreciated, unseen tasks. To make everyone's room meticulously every day and still be as positive and cheerful as he is, I want to thank him, and the rest of the room service team.

There are definitely others who have worked behind the scenes and those whom I have not interacted with. To those GOs and staff, I offer my gratitude as well. I may not know you or see you, but I understand and acknowledge your efforts all the same.

To all of you who work in ClubMed Kiroro, thank you for your efforts.

To all the GOs who have worked in ClubMed and helped me all these years. thank you giving me so many wonderful memories from my childhood till present day.

Every holiday in ClubMed is special, and it is only made possible thanks to the people who put in the effort to make it so. I know the job is tough, and sometimes unreasonable or unfair. There is alot of effort and struggles going on behind the scenes that the GMs don't see. Just know that despite all that hardships, there are many who appreciate you, even if they do not know how to show it.

I am but a small GM, maybe I or my words don't even matter that much to you. Yet, your efforts matter to me, so for that, I wish to show my gratitude regardless.

I wish you all good health and a happy year ahead.

Yours Sincerely,
Kenneth Yeow

Amazing snow, amazing stay, and amazing food! Chef Gabriel was the kindest, he personally looked after us with the best wagyu steak and a loaf of the white chocolate bread upon our departure.

The stay was a memorable one for the family. It was our first experience skiing and thanks to the complimentary group lessons, we managed to ski down the Nagamine slope by Day 2. The meals were great and the free shuttle bus service to Club Med Kiroro Grand had allowed us to enjoy the facilities there.