Story the Highest Number of Ski Resorts in Japan? Top-Rated Ski Resorts!!! By JNTO on 19 December 2019
If you are visiting Japan in winter, you definitely want to challenge winter sports like skiing and snowboarding. When talking about skiing resorts in Japan, Hokkaido Niseko and Niigata prefecture are famous destinations.But in fact, Nagano is the prefecture which has the highest number of ski resorts! In this article, we are going to look at the top-rated ones, from the ones for beginners to exciting ones for advanced skiers!
Suitable for Skiers of All Level- Nagano, the Skiing Paradise
There are as many as 90 ski resorts in Nagano (as in 2015), and the area is also known for their great snow quality. Especially wonderful is the snow in Hakuba village, north-west Nagano. It is loved for its powder snow by skiers all over the world! The opening season is decided by a multitude of things including snowfall and terrain but ski resorts in Nagano usually open from early December to late April of the next year.
Ski Resort in a Town of Hot Spring!
“NOZAWA ONSEN SNOW RESORT”
This is a ski resort in Nozawa hot spring village with as many as 36 ski slopes and courses, including quite a number for beginners, and the exciting attraction “Zip Sky Ride” on Higake Slope, a zipline from the peak to the mountain foot with an altitude of 122 metres.
Equally exciting are the “Snow Field Tour” on a snowmobile to encounter wild animals like antelopes and rabbits; and “Buna Forest Snow Shoes Trekking Tour” whereby you can trek in snow shoes.It is good to soothe your body and spirit in hot spring after skiing. The hot spring facility Nozawa Onsen Sparena is conveniently within reach, or you may want to visit other 13 hot spring facilities in the resorts, including a free, open-air hot spring (for both genders)!
- NOZAWA ONSEN SNOW RESORT
- Address: 7653, Toyosato, Nozawa onsen-mura, Shimotakai, Nagano
- Access: From Hokuriku Shinkansen Iiyama Station, take the direct bus “Nozawa Onsen Liner” and get off at the hot spring village. It takes about 25 minutes.
- Alternatively, you may also take the free ski resort shuttle bus and get off at “Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort”.
- Opening period: Schedule for 2019-2020 is not yet fixed (as in December 2019)
A Huge, Family-Friendly Amusement Zone with Attractions like Snowmobile to Enjoy All Day Long- “Kurohime Kogen Snow Park”
A snow resort located in Mt. Kurohime in northern Nagano with 11 courses formed by dry, powdery snow. This amusement area has a good range of attractions for everyone, from beginners to advanced skiers.
It offers much more than just skiing- snow rafting, snowmobile experience, snow car cruising, and more. There is also a Kid Park with waves and tunnel attractions. It is undoubtedly a paradise for kids as it is 40 times larger than Tokyo Dome (around 187.02 hectares). It is where you and your children can come close to snow and enjoy it together!
- Kurohime Kogen Snow Park
- Address: 3807, Nojiri, Shinano-machi, Kamiminochi, Nagano
- Access: Take Shinano Railway’s Kita (North) Shinano Line from Nagano station to Kurohime station, then change to the free shuttle bus.
- Opening period: 21st December 2019 – 29th March 2020 (tentative, please refer to official website for updates)
The North Alps Is Right in Front of you! A Hot Bath with superb view of the sky!
“Hakuba Valley Kashimayari Ski Resort”
Hakuba Valley Kashimayari Ski Resort brings you a striking view of Mt. Hakuba. With a 50-metre-long ski slope, escalators, sled, and snow sliders all exclusive to kids, this is certainly a family-friendly resort!
After skiing, proceed to “Central Plaza 1130” for its open-air hot spring with a sky view! Nothing could be more relaxing than immersing yourself into a hot bath with the north Alps right in front of you. With just a small additional fee, you can also rent towels, so you can just come empty-handed!
- Hakuba Valley Kashimayari Ski Resort
- Address: 20490-4, Taira, Omachi, Nagano
- Access: Get off at Shinano Omachi Station and change to Kashimayaki Ski Resort shuttle bus
- Opening period: From 14th December 2019 -※End date have yet been announced (Please remember to check official website for updates)
