For our last day in Hokkaido snow, Kiroro has just gotten a lot of snow, and it was a godo time to visit to enjoy the powder. It was reaosonably busy, but even if the parking lots were full and we had to go to overflow, the resort didn't feel very crowded and never had to wait long for a lift:

the weather alternated between sunny and snowing, all day

I wasted some time trying to see how to register for the sidecountry gates, as was required last time I came, but that was 7 years ago, and now they ask you to register with some Hokkaido backcountry office on the internet which seemed fairly time consuming if you just wanted to do the in resort sidecountry as opposed to exiting in places where you'd end up way out there.

the maps are worth paying attention to, lots of tree areas and powder fields

yes!

The first run down the chair was very good:

the gondola to the other peak had a short line and did take 15mn up each time

beautiful trees

anti wind gates

did I say nice trees? :)

Seems that most people didn't really register and just took the side country gates in a way that you end up in the resort at the end, but in one of them, if you turn the wrong way, you could end up in unhappy places (like snow hike out which could take hours)
You definitely have to pay attention to this map once you get out, especially for teh elevation linea and the river in the middle that you can fall into if the snow collapses:

I did have my beacon :)

some signs, but no real warnings about the river that will try to swallow you at the bottom

the hike at the top of the gondola can be as long as you want it to be, but make sure to drop on the left side

While the side country was good experience, it also could get you in trouble, especially as you end up on top of a river with multiple holes, some big, and others where the snow could collapse and you fall in the river, no good:

it was very easy to end up in one of these, they were almost everywhere

After 6 different side country runs, the day was over, and time to get back:

Defintely a great experience, but it's a no screw around zone, you can really get in trouble once you go side country at Kiroro