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Rime ice forms in sub-zero temperatures on trees as water vapor in the air and fog attach to the surface. At Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU's rime terrace, you can take in the fantastical world of snow and ice this rime ice creates. The majestic view is worth a look as it only happens in regions of extreme winter weather.

What is rime ice?

Rime ice refers to a phenomenon that happens in sub-zero temperatures, where water vapor in the air and fog attach to trees. Soft rime is also a type of rime ice.

Drifting through the sky on a gondola in a sea of clouds

You can reach the rime ice terrace by riding the gondola that departs from the resort center at the foot of the mountain. It takes about 13 minutes. Even though it's on the piste, you don't need skiwear, just wear something warm. As the gondola gradually rises up the mountain, you'll be transfixed by the magnificent view!

Strolling in the sky at 1,088 m above sea level! The Cloud Walk

Departing the gondola station, don't miss the view as you walk about 200 m along the snowy path taking you to the Cloud Walk. The Cloud Walk is a suspension bridge that juts out from the mountainside.
Saunter slowly along the bridge to admire the unrivaled view from 1,088 m above sea level. Below you sprawls the gigantic Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU. And in the distance you will spot the Hidaka mountains range.

Limited-offer sweets at Tenbo Café

Near the gondola station at the top of the mountain is where you'll find Tenbo Café. Here you can sample the café's limited-offer original sweets - a set consisting of "rime ice coffee" that comes with snow-white candy floss that resembles rime ice, and "rime ice fondant au chocolat," which is a warm fondant au chocolat decorated with chocolate that replicates rime ice and snow.
If you're feeling frozen after that gondola ride, the warm cup of coffee and fondant au chocolat are nothing short of perfection! To look at and to taste.
Warm up by the hot coals while toasting marshmallows!

All lit up: enchanting rime ice terrace

For a limited time in December, the rime ice terrace is lit up in the evening. The terrace opens at night after the ski piste hours, so you can enjoy this enchanting spectacle on the quiet mountainside. The silence enhances the sensation you feel while gazing at the lit-up rime ice and - if you're lucky - sparkling diamond dust.
This winter onward, the Cloud Walk and the path leading up to it will be lit up, so you can walk the path of rime ice trees at night. As you reach the end of the path you'll be surrounded by rime ice in every direction. You can only see the rime ice sparkle at night when it is lit up. Also sometimes visible is diamond dust, which forms when the water vapor in the air instantly freezes. The gondola ride from the village to the rime ice terrace takes about 13 minutes each way, so there's no need to worry to getting to the terrace at night to experience this sight.

Outline of the rime ice terrace

Rime ice terrace (daytime hours)

* Period: December 1, 2018 - April 1, 2019 * The gondola may not be working, depending on the weather conditions.
* Hours: 8:00am - 3:00pm (last boarding), 3:30pm (last departure) * 3:00pm last orders
* Fees: Gondola round-trip: 2,200 yen for adults, 1,300 yen for elementary school children * Free for guests staying at the Tower and RISONARE Tomamu.
Rime ice coffee: 500 yen, rime ice fondant au chocolat: 600 yen (including sales tax and service charges)
* Reservations: Not available: *Open to: Hotel guests and temporary visitors

Rime ice terrace (evening hours)

* Period: December 1, 2018 - December 25, 2018 * The gondola may not be working, depending on the weather conditions.
* Hours: 4:30pm - 6:00pm (last boarding) / 6:30pm (last leaving) /Café menu available from 4:30pm - 6:15pm (last orders)
* Fees: Gondola round-trip: 2,200 yen for adults, 1,300 yen for elementary school children / Rime ice hot Campari: 800 yen, hot drinks: 500 yen and up (including sales tax and service charges)
* No reservations required
* Open to: hotel guests and temporary visitors

Rime ice snowshoe tour

* Period: December 1, 2018 - April 1, 2019 * The tour may be cancelled due to weather conditions.
* Hours: 8:00am - 10:00am *Minimum participants: 2 *Capacity: 1 group per day *1 group of up to 6 people
* Fees: 4,000 yen per person for guests staying at the Tower and RISONARE Tomamu (including sales tax and service charges) *Temporary visitors will need to purchase a gondola ticket
* Fees include: snow shoe rental, tour guide, hot drinks
* Reservations: Applications open on the homepage from October 15, 2018 * Open to: Hotel guests and temporary visitors (age 6 and up)
text: Natsuko Saito

Facility Information

Hoshino Resorts Tomamu
Address
Nakatomamu, Shimukappu-mura, Yufutsu-gun, Hokkaido 079-2204
URL
https://snow.gurunavi.com/guide/htm/r0274ens.htm

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