With a super heavy heart.
We were all set for our dream ski vacation at Club Med Kiroro Grand.
Bags packed, kids hyped, ski gear ready.
Then, bam. News of a norovirus outbreak hits. Vomiting, diarrhea, the whole shebang.
Not exactly the kind of family fun we signed up for right?
After scrolling through Reddit and reading horror stories from guests who got hit by the bug, we knew we had to make a call.
Cancel Kiroro, switch to Rusutsu.
Tough decision, but health comes first. Especially when you are traveling with kids. Who wants to deal with puke on a plane?
Not me.
If you are planning a trip to Kiroro soon, here is what you need to know (and why Rusutsu might just save your holiday).
What Is Going On at Club Med Kiroro?
Turns out, the norovirus situation is no joke. Guests reported falling sick within 24-48 hours of checking in. Imagine this: you are all excited for your first day on the slopes, and then boom your kid starts hurling. Or worse, you are the one hugging the toilet bowl.
Here is what we gathered from fellow travelers:
Down on 2nd Night
A recent guest confirmed that three members of their travel group (two adults and one child) fell ill during their stay at Club Med Kiroro Grand, emphasizing that the norovirus outbreak remains active. This firsthand account highlights ongoing health risks for families and travelers at the resort.
5 Days Cut to 2 Days of Activities
A guest experienced severe vomiting and diarrhea starting on the second day of their stay, recovering only after three days. Their planned 5-day ski trip was cut short to just 2 days of activity due to illness.
Happened on First Week of March 2025
A guest reported that three members of their group, including two adults and one child, fell ill during their stay at Club Med Kiroro Grand. This confirms that the norovirus outbreak is still ongoing at the resort.
- It spreads crazy fast. Even with handwashing and avoiding raw food, people still got sick.
- Communication was meh. Some guests felt the resort downplayed how bad it was.
- Vacay ruined. Families missed out on skiing, and some even struggled to fly home because they were too sick.
Sound like a nightmare? Yeah, we thought so too.
Here's what we gathered
These are the places, we gathered information on the updates. It is quite disappointing that our trip that we are anticipating has come like this.
Why We Pulled the Plug on Kiroro
Look, I am all for adventure, but norovirus?
Hard pass.
The thought of my kids (or me) spending the holiday puking was enough to make me rethink everything. Sure, canceling was a bummer, but better safe than sorry, right?
Imagine Club Med Kiroro is like a cruise all inclusive. Everyone dine together, have fun together, all at 1 centralised place. so Maybe ala carte resorts, with more decentralised places of gathering can help slow down spreading of norovirus.
The Norovirus has been ongoing for longest. It is called the winter vomit bug; But then we do not want to pay premium for a resort but we don't get to enjoy.
So....
We switched to Rusutsu instead. No outbreaks reported (yet), and the slopes are just as good. Sometimes, Plan B turns out better than Plan A.
Although we did mentioned that with kids, having ala carte plans is difficult. But then again, we got no choice right?
Tips to Avoid a Holiday Disaster
If you are still set on Kiroro (or any resort, really), here is how to stay safe:
- Do Your Homework
Check forums like Reddit and TripAdvisor for real-time updates. Do not just rely on the resort’s official statements. - Wash, Wash, Wash
Norovirus does not care about hand sanitizer. Soap and water are your best friends. - Have a Backup Plan
Book flexible options or get travel insurance. Trust me, you will thank yourself later. - Know the Symptoms
Vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps. Sound familiar? If you or your kids start feeling off, seek help ASAP.
Why Rusutsu Might Be Your Best Bet
We have not gone yet (heading there soon!), but here is why we are feeling good about the switch:
- No outbreaks. So far, so good.
- Same powdery slopes. Rusutsu’s snow is just as magical as Kiroro’s.
- More dining options. Sure, it is not all-inclusive, but hey, more chances to try Hokkaido’s famous ramen and seafood.
- There are still kids ski school available. There is even childcare option at 2000 jpy an hour.
Still, we cut short 1 day of resort stay at Rusutsu because Club Med has it all inclusive and the convenice is there. Just that in case our little one last minute chicken out for any lessons or she is tired.
Shag lah!
Over the weekend, we been checking out the resort stays, shifting our itinerary. Check in 1 day earlier and checking out 2 days earlier. Then, leave the last 2 days for shopping!
Traveling with kids is already a juggling act. Add a norovirus outbreak to the mix, and it is a full-blown circus. Canceling our Club Med Kiroro trip was tough, but it was the right call for our family.
If you are heading to Kiroro soon, keep an eye on the situation. And if things look dicey, do not be afraid to switch it up. Rusutsu might just be the silver lining you need.
What about you? Would you cancel a trip over a norovirus outbreak? Or would you risk it for the slopes? Let me know in the comments!
P.S. Stay tuned for our Rusutsu review. Fingers crossed it is all smooth sailing and skiing from here!
Did you manage to get a refund?
So apparently, we got it in credits. Since we are planning for next year too. I hope they have really step up their hygiene preventions.
wanted to check, did club med give you back a refund? we are also due to go soon and wanted to see what was the arrangements?
Sorry for the late reply; I hope you are ok for the trip. Let us know? We managed to get refund in credits.
Hi there,
May I know if you received any refund from club med?
Sorry for the late reply; Did you go Club Med Kiroro? How’s the situation there?
Let us know? We managed to get refund in credits.
My family was planning to be there from this Sat. Did you get refund?
Sorry for the late reply;
How was the trip and the situation? I hope your family are ok too.
We managed to get refund in credits.