Let me start with a little backstory.
A few years ago, we tried an à la carte ski vacation when Charlotte was 2 years old. Furano Ski resort I remember.
Childcare alone cost us S$200 a day.
The facility was a 20-minute drive away.
Dropping her off and picking her up each day took a total of 1.5 hours.
We started skiing around 10am and had to end by 3:30pm to pick her up by 5pm.
On other days, we skied one by one.
I skied in the morning while Mummy took care of Charlotte.
In the afternoon, we switched.
This juggling act took a toll on the fun.
The value of Club Med’s babysitting service cannot be overstated.
You can drop your kids off between 8 to 9am.
You then pick them up at 5pm for dinner.
The convenience is enormous.
In our previous club med Kiroro review, we did a rough cost estimate. Today we are doing a detailed and specific calculation on our savings and why it is worth it.
The Cost Breakdown
When it comes to family ski vacations, the price can be intimidating.
At first glance, a stay at Club Med Kiroro Grand may seem costly.
Our six-night stay cost around S$ 6,200 for two adults and two kids (5Years Old + 3 Years Old) . 3 Years are considered free, you cannot go for lessons and you need to pay extra for the petit club.
Kids 4 and above can go for the kids club which is included.
Let us see why we found it worth every cent compared to a regular ski resort.
Savings with Club Med
- Total Cost at Regular Ski Resort: $12,000+
- Total Cost at Club Med Kiroro Grand: $6,700
- Total Savings: $5,000+
Accommodation Costs
Hotel stays at a standard ski resort with similar amenities cost about $450 a night.
Multiply that by six nights, and you are out $2,700.
Yu Kiroro which is a nearby resort cost start from $500 a night.
Club Med Kiroro includes all lodging costs in their package.
No hidden fees, only peace of mind.
Meals – Keeping the Family Fed
Feeding a family of four with three daily meals can quickly add up.
So breakfast buffet typically $30, Buffet Lunch $50, Buffet Dinner $70.
At approximately $150 per person per day, you are looking at $600 each day.
Over six days, meals can climb to $3,600.
Club Med Kiroro includes all your dining in the package. Free flow beverage and beer.
Think less, eat more.
And of course, in a typical normal hotel if meals are not included. Your breakfast only sandwich $2 x 4 person = $8.
Lunch ramen 4 bowls x $12 = $48
Dinner eat Yakiniku = $100 roughly. You can still eat $12 ramen though.
A day for 4 pax also $150.
But we are also talking about convenience, eating in the resort without stepping out.
Ski Passes and Lessons
If you are a ski family, passes and lessons are non-negotiable.
At a typical resort, adult ski passes cost about $80 each.
Child passes are around $40 dollars.
This totals $1000 for five days.
Ski lessons are expensive. Places charge group lesson per hour for like $100 per 2hours.
So a full day is like $200.
Add in for three people for $600 each day.
You are looking at an additional $3,000.
Club Med Kiroro’s all-inclusive package wraps up these costs neatly. They will settle your kid 9am to 5pm. Including lunch!
It saves you money and hassle.
Fun and Entertainment
Keeping everyone entertained on vacation is essential.
At a regular resort, daily activities and entertainment might cost $50 per person.
This adds up to $1,200 for a six-day family trip.
Unless you just want watch ipad and tv back in the hotel room. You can save $1200 also.
Club Med Kiroro includes a wide range of fun activities. They have entertainment every evening, and post evening.
This is all part of the deal.
Additional Childcare
Many resorts do not offer childcare as part of their standard packages.
Having it makes a world of difference. Ala carte child care services we encounter is like $200 a day! So if you are travelling with young kids like below 4 years old that cannot ski and require child care service.
There are places that charge as high as $300+ a day.
You are stuck to resorts that have this service around the area. If you are lucky, they are within the resort. If not, you probably have to travel out to drop the kid.
At Club Med, specialized childcare services (the Petit Kids Club) cost about $100 per day.
Over five days, this adds up to $500.
Knowing your little ones are well cared for enriches the entire experience.
The Grand Total
Item | Ala Carte | Club Med |
|---|---|---|
Stay (6 Nights) | $450 x 6 = $2700 | Included |
Meals (6 Days) | $150 x 3 x 6 = $3600 | Included |
Ski Pass (5 Days) | ($80 x 2 + $40) x 5 = $1000 | Included |
Ski Lessons (5 Days) | $200 x 3 x 5 = $3000 | Included |
Additional Activities | $50 x 4 x 6 Days = $1200 | Included |
Childcare | $200 x 5 Days = $1000 | $100 x 5 Days = $500 |
Total | $12000+ | $6200 + $500 |
A regular ski resort would cost about $12,000+ for accommodation, meals, ski passes, lessons, and activities over six days.
Meanwhile, Club Med Kiroro’s all-inclusive deal comes to ~$6700
This includes extra childcare costs.
Cost savings of over $5000+ !
Why Choose Club Med Kiroro
Choosing Club Med Kiroro Grand for our family’s ski trip was a no-brainer.
With everything included and no surprise expenses, we saved time, money, and stress.
We focused on making memories.
For more insights on our stay, check out the full review here.
Trust me, Club Med Kiroro Grand will change how you view family ski vacations.
You might even wonder why you considered other options.
Ski and Snowboard Gear Rental
Another significant cost is the rental of ski and snowboard gear.
At regular ski resorts, renting gear typically costs around S$50 - $80 per day per person.
For our family of four, this would be S$50 per day * 3 people (excluding our free child) * 5 days, totaling S$750 - S$1200.
Club Med Kiroro does not generally include ski gear rental in their all-inclusive package. Their rental cost start from $70+ a day for Snowboard + Boots.
Thus, it is essential to factor this into the final cost.
PS: Other Costs Involved
Besides the costs already mentioned, flights and airport transfers also add up.
Flying from Singapore to Hokkaido can vary greatly in cost depending on the time of year.
On average, you can expect to pay around S$800 per person.
For a family of four, this is roughly S$3,200.
Then comes the cost of getting from the airport to the resort.
Club Med offers a two-way airport transfer at around S$700 for four people.
Alternatively, you could rent a car.
A rental car for 11 days might cost approximately S$1,400.
Opting for the Club Med transfer can save you the hassle of navigating in a foreign country.
While renting a car provides flexibility, it also comes with its own set of stresses.
We found that the convenience of the transfers was a better option considering everything.
End Day
We probably still stick to Club Med until Mei Mei knows how to go down red slope by herself. March 2025, we doing another Kiroro Grand. She is old enough (4+ Years) to go for lessons!
So 2 more seasons, we should able to do Ala Carte, without lessons. Without child care service.
That is where the real savings come. No need lessons, no need childcare. Every day is $800 ($200 x 4 pax) saved!
For now, we are depending on Club Med to level up the kids skill.
Jiayou!
Hi, I’m planning first ski trip ever with the kids next year? Age 4/5/7. Which club med you would suggest ? Grand kiroro or Tomamu? Thank you
Hello! Thank you for dropping by.
I would recommend Kiroro Grand due to the convenience of all amenities in one building.
Tomamu has their facilities and amenities all spread out.