ALTITUDE HIGH

 Emmilyn Yeoh embarks on a frosty getaway to Club Med Tomamu in Japan’s powder capital, Hokkaido.

The Nest, where whiskey and sake lovers can enjoy the best local brews

I arrive at the breathtaking Unkai Terrace, 1,088 metres above sea level, in Hokkaido’s Tomamu ski station, on an exceptionally cold morning. The icy breeze uplifts even the most worn-out spirits, while powder-soft snow caress the trees, setting the dramatic backdrop for the beginning of a dreamy vacation. I revel in the serene space of the wide-open sky and fluffy white clouds, silently wondering why I have waited 25 years to finally arrive in this undisputed powder capital of Japan.

After an enchanting gondola ride back to beauty of a cherry blossom the ground, I come face to face with the recently tree in the lobby opened Club Med Tomamu. Serene and tranquil, there is the occasional spotting of snowmen being built and the giggling of children as they engage in snowball fights—a much-welcomed respite from the hustle and bustle for this city slicker.