Snow’s up…well, almost! It’s time to dig out your fluffy jackets, gloves, booties and goggles and fake it ‘til you make it. We’ve got the Little Steps lowdown on where to train, getaway and gear up for the skiing season – so set your snow bunnies and snow angels free with our tips.
The ‘coolest’ thing to happen in Kwun Tong this year, PLAY is a multifunctional indoor ski, snowboard, baseball and softball training center. Two dry slopes – one stationary and one with an adjustable gradient and speed – provide the ideal training and practice ground for kids ages 4 and up.
PLAY, 1/F & 2/F, Kras Asia Industrial Building, 79 Hung To Road, Kwun Tong, +852 2797 9323, www.321play.com.hk.
Part of Shenzhen’s largest tourist attraction, the Alps Indoor Ski Dome is part of Windows of the World, a kitsch park filled with scaled-down versions of world monuments. Gear up for long runs (around 500m) in real snow at this eternal winter wonderland – just leave enough time for the kids to make snow angels!
Alps Indoor Ski Dome at Windows of the World, Shen Nan Avenue, Nanshan, Shenzhen, +86 (0755) 2660 8000, Website.
North Pole? Try North Point! Slope Infinity’s revolving large and small slopes are suitable for kids ages 3 and older who want to learn the basics or fine-tune their technique. All equipment is included and with just 2/3 kids per group class, tuition and feedback is super personalised.
Slope Infinity, 1/F, 148 Electric Road, North Point, 2107 4567, www.slope8.com.
Luxury travelistas at Lightfoot Travel arrange on- and off-season experiences that will leave you giddy. Heli skiing in Canada: perfect for intermediate and advanced skiers, it’s definitely not about jumping James Bond-style out of helicopters but guided excursions into the untouched wilderness. Off-season, they recommend The Remarkables mountain range in NZ. Ready, set…ski!
Lightfoot Travel, B8/F Winning House, 72-74 Wing Lok Street, 2815 0068, www.lightfoottravel.com.
Fly to Tokyo for a long weekend at Gakuto Villas, located in Hakuba. A small town in Japan’s northern alps which has retained its local flavor, the boutique chalets offer chic and simple accommodation and a cosy place to come back to after a day on the beautiful slopes. Home to 130 ski lifts and more than 200 runs, it offers eco-friendly accommodation as its finest.
Gakuto Villas, 4720-1,4721,4722 Hokujyo, Hakuba-mura, Kitaazumi-gun, Nagano Prefecture 399-9301, Japan, +81 (50) 5539-6404, www.gakutovillas.com.
Niseko’s powdery snow and reputation as a hot spring retreat is drawing an increasing number of international visitors. If you prefer the home-styled comforts of a private chalet, Country Resort is for you. Two-, three- and four-bedroom houses make it a great place for families with tots and teens. Run by a family, it’s great for families and promises a safe, quiet and stress-free experience.
The Chalets at Country Resort, Hokkaido, Japan, +81 136 555 122, www.nisekocountryresort.com.
Family favorite Club Med on the northern island of Sahoro welcomes children aged 3 months and up with supervision available for teeny tots aged 2 and a daily kid’s club for those ages 4 and over. Ski passes, lessons, accommodation and full board is part of the package – and after a long day on the slopes, the outdoor tub is the hottest place to relax.
Club Med Sahoro, Hokkaido, Japan, +81 156 64 6667, Website.
One of the newest Club Meds, Yabuli is located in China’s northeast in the heart of a national park. Mums and Dads can kick back with spa treatments by L’Occitane as kids 2 and older exhaust themselves in the kid’s club. With ski passes, lessons, f&b and accommodation included, it’s your passport to a stress-free family holiday!
Club Med Yabuli, Heilongjiang, China, +86 451 5345 8000, Website.
You can’t go wrong with Stanley Market for cheap and cheerful jackets, long-sleeved Ts for layering, pants, hats and scarves. The emphasis is on cheap ‘n’ cheerful and while the clothes may not be the best quality, they do the trick.
Stanley Market, Hong Kong, 10.30am-6.30pm.
Founded by climbers, Patagonia has a fantastic reputation for its sturdy outdoor equipment, amazing gear and functional clothing. Combining outdoorsy fashion with warmth and comfort, their kids and baby lines are absolutely adorable. Let the little ones snuggle up in cosy fleeces, snow pants, down jackets and warm booties, all available in fun colors and patterns.
Patagonia, 46 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, +852 2155 9567, www.patagonia.com. Locations also in Tsim Sha Tsui, Causeway Bay & Kowloon Tong.
HK’s hotspot for outdoorsy types, RC Outfitter’s largest shops in Causeway Bay and Mongkok span 3,000-4,500 square feet. Packed with equipment, clothes, shoes and accessories for sports ranging from kayaking, hiking to skiing and snowboarding, they also stock a small range of items for junior as well as skis – perfect for those who like to have their own gear.
RC Outfitters, 2/F, Kin Tak Fung Commercial Bldg., 467-473 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, +852 2390 0020 / 5/F & 6/F, Oriental House, 24-26 Argyle Street, Mongkok, +852 2390 0980, www.alink.com.hk.
Exclusively stocking winter sports gear, this hidden gem in Sheung Wan is packed full of goggles, skis, boots, poles and everything in between! Being the ski-sperts, they can also help with bespoke services including custom made insoles as well as ski/snowboard repair and maintenance. A little bit pricy, but it’s worth investing in quality products that will last.
Fun N Snow, 4/F Tern Centre, Tower 2, 251 Queen's Road Central, Sheung Wan, +852 2866 7847, www.funnsnow.com.
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