23 recommended ski resorts in Nagano Prefecture! Introducing ski resorts for different purposes such as powder snow and tree runs

Four points to consider when choosing a ski resort in Nagano Prefecture

In this chapter, we will introduce four points that you should pay attention to when choosing a ski resort. If you are not sure how to choose a ski resort, please refer to this page.

Course level and type

Check the level and number of courses at the ski resort in advance so that you can ski according to your level. If you are a beginner, we recommend a course that is wide and easy to practice on, or a course with a gentle slope that makes it difficult to build up speed.

If you are going with a group of people ranging from beginners to advanced skiers, it is best to choose a ski resort with a wide variety of courses.

Snow quality

We also recommend choosing a ski resort based on snow quality and snowfall amount. Nagano Prefecture has many areas with heavy snowfall, and there are many ski resorts where you can ski on natural snow. If you want to enjoy powder snow or a tree run, be sure to check the snow quality and whether there are areas with uncompacted snow.

access

Convenient transportation access is also an important point, so do your homework before choosing your transportation method.

Important points to consider are whether the destination is accessible by train or bus, and if you are going by car, the roads are easy to drive on even if you are not good at driving on snowy roads. If traveling by car is difficult, we recommend choosing a ski resort that can be reached by direct bus. Please refer to the second half of this article, which introduces the direct bus "Snow Liner".

Surrounding facilities

Another point to check is the availability of surrounding facilities.

In order to get enough rest after enjoying skiing, we recommend a ski resort with a hotel or hot springs nearby. If you have a place you want to go to the next day, consider accessibility when choosing a ski resort.

Main ski resorts by area in Nagano Prefecture

Even ski resorts within the same Nagano prefecture have slightly different characteristics. If you search for ski resorts by location, you can try out multiple ski resorts in one trip, so we recommend using this as a guideline.

Hakuba/Tsugaike area

The Hakuba/Tsugaike area is easily accessible from the Nagano Expressway, Joetsu Expressway, and Chuo Expressway, which pass through Nagano Prefecture. Compared to other areas, the area is characterized by a particularly large number of ski resorts.

Main ski resorts in Hakuba/Tsugaike area

Nozawa/Togari/Madarao area

The Nozawa, Togari, and Madarao areas are home to some of the most famous hot springs in Nagano Prefecture, such as Nozawa Onsen and Togari Onsen. Therefore, this area is recommended for those who want to soothe their fatigue after skiing or snowboarding in a hot spring.

Main ski resorts in Nozawa, Togari, and Madarao areas

Shiga/Kita Shiga area

The Shiga/Kita-Shiga area, located in the northernmost part of Nagano Prefecture, is one of the largest ski spots in Japan.

Main ski resorts in Shiga/Kita-Shiga area

Sugadaira/Karuizawa/Saku area

In the Sugadaira, Karuizawa, and Saku areas, there are many ski resorts that use artificial snow machines to stabilize the snow quality.

It can be said that it is an area that is easy to play in and is not affected by the weather.

Main ski resorts in the Sugadaira, Karuizawa, and Saku areas

Kurumayama/Lake Shirakaba/Yatsugatake area

The Kurumayama, Lake Shirakaba, and Yatsugatake areas located in the southeast of Nagano Prefecture are easily accessible from Tokyo and other metropolitan areas. This area is especially rich in nature in Nagano Prefecture, so you can enjoy spectacular views of the mountains and lakes.

Main ski resorts in the Kurumayama, Lake Shirakaba, and Yatsugatake areas

A ski resort with attractive powder snow

Nagano Prefecture receives a lot of snow, so one of its attractions is the quality of the snow. Here we will introduce ski resorts with attractive powder snow.

Hakuba Happoone Ski Resort

Hakuba Happo-one Ski Resort is where you can enjoy some of the best powder snow in Japan. In 1998, it became one of the venues for the Nagano Olympics and became known worldwide. The Northern Alps that can be seen from the top of the ski slope at an altitude of 1,830m are spectacular and one of the sights you should see at least once.

Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort has an observation course with a maximum slope of more than 35 degrees, as well as Kurobishi off-piste "URAKURO" where you can enjoy waist-high and ridge-high powder snow, and Omusubi off-piste with many kickers. There are many thrilling advanced courses such as.

In addition, the new course at Usagidaira slope, which often has uncompacted snow, allows you to enjoy the finest powder run after snowfall. The early part starts with relatively easy bumps on the middle slope, and the middle part is evenly spaced. The final stage of the course becomes a highly difficult course with irregular drops and changes in slope.

Although there are a few beginner courses, it is recommended for beginners and families as it has a kids park complete with moving walkways and a design where you can practice from three courses of different levels.

Click here for the official website of Hakuba Happoone Ski Resort

Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort

Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort is known for its heavy snowfall in Nagano Prefecture, and was used as a biathlon venue for the 1998 Nagano Olympics, attracting attention both domestically and internationally.

There are a total of 44 courses, including a long cruising course with a maximum run distance of 10km, a half-pipe course for advanced skiers, and a gentle slope and wide course for beginners.

``Yamabiko Slope'' is located at the top of the ski resort, and ``Challenge 39° Wall'' has a steep slope with a maximum slope of 39 degrees. Furthermore, there are a variety of powder courses, such as the ``Kurosakura Course,'' which descends toward the Hikage Slope, and the ``Ushikubi Course,'' which is characterized by bumps, and is popular with many skiers and snowboarders.

In addition, the foot of Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort is one of Japan's leading hot spring resorts. There are many hot spring inns, and there are also many spots where you can easily take a day trip to the baths.

After skiing or snowboarding, we recommend touring the hot spring town and enjoying menus made with hot spring eggs and local specialties.

Click here for the official website of Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort

Shiga Kogen Ski Resort

Shiga Kogen Ski Resort is Japan's largest ski resort, consisting of 18 unique ski resorts. All of the more than 80 courses can be skied with a common season pass, so it can be enjoyed by all levels.

Due to its high altitude and heavy snowfall, it is also nice that it is open for a long period of time from December to early May.

The powder snow of Shiga Kogen is also called ``champagne powder snow'' because it is at a reconsideration level.

Shiga Kogen has plenty of powder ski resorts, including Yakebiyama Ski Resort, which has an abundance of uncompacted snow courses, Okushiga Kogen Ski Resort, which receives a large amount of snow and is open only on natural snow, and Kumanoyu Ski Resort, which is at a high altitude and maintains good snow quality. There are many ski resorts where you can enjoy snow.

Some ski resorts are divided into areas where there are many snowboarders and areas reserved for skiers, so make sure to plan your activities before you set off. This ski resort is especially recommended for those looking for a rich variety of skis that you won't be able to ski in one day.

Click here for the official website of Shiga Kogen Ski Resort

Kurumayama Kogen SKYPARK Ski Resort

Kurumayama Plateau, which spreads over the highest peak of Kirigamine, has a high altitude and a beautiful view overlooking the surrounding mountains. The ski resort there is Kurumayama Kogen SKYPARK.

In addition to being known for its smooth powder snow, the area also has a high rate of sunny skies of 80%, so it's great that there are many days with good conditions.

At Kurumayama Kogen SKYPARK, "snowshoe tours" are also held that take advantage of the deep powder snow.

You can choose either a half-day or full-day tour, and enjoy a 360-degree walk through snowy scenery as far as the eye can see. It may be difficult to walk at first, but once you get used to it, you'll definitely fall in love with the crunchy feeling of sinking.

There are only a few ski resorts where you can experience snowshoe tours, so if you want to enjoy powder snow in a different way, why not visit Kurumayama Kogen SKYPARK?

Click here for the official website of Kurumayama Kogen SKYPARK Ski Resort

A ski resort with an attractive tree run

We would like to introduce you to a ski resort with an attractive tree run that runs through natural terrain.

Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort

Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort is located at the far end of the Hakuba area and is a ski resort where you can enjoy 100% natural powder snow. One of the features of this course is that it is difficult to get lost, as most of the courses end at the same point.

At Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort, you can enjoy the finest soft powder snow. If you're interested in powder snow and are confident in your skills, try the Hieda Mountain Course 2, which is for advanced skiers, or the Tree Area, which is for very advanced skiers.

Additionally, shared lift tickets are available for use with the neighboring Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort, so you can travel between the two ski resorts. However, please note that accommodation packages with lift tickets for Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort can only be used at Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort, so please be aware of this when purchasing.

Click here for the official website of Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort

Madarao Kogen Ski Resort

Madarao Kogen Ski Resort is a ski resort that also hosts world-class competitions. There are 32 courses with a wide variety of high-quality natural snow, and when combined with the adjacent Tangram, you can ski as many as 51 courses.

It has the largest number of tree run courses in Japan, and the powder snow that falls during the high season is so popular that it is called "Madapow."

Inside the tree run course, there is a ladder jump platform "NINJA" with a height of 7 m (4 to 5 m when snowing), and various difficulty levels such as "SAWA -Natural Pipe-" which attracts attention from many riders. You can enjoy the following courses.

We also have a complete beginner's course. There are two courses tailored to beginner levels, so it is also recommended for those who want to gradually step up.

Click here for the official website of Madarao Kogen Ski Resort

Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort

Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort, located at the foot of Mt. Hakuba in the Northern Alps of Nagano Prefecture, has the Tsuga Pau area where you can enjoy a tree run on the finest powder snow "TSUGA POW." You can ski by taking a lecture-style program called "TSUGA POW DBD" that includes watching videos that contain the rules and precautions for skiing.

The attraction is that you can enjoy a long tree run in the vast Tsugapau area with uncompacted snow. After snowfall, you can experience deep powder snow.

Click here for the official website of Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort

Ski resort with plenty of parks

We will introduce ski resorts with plenty of parks recommended for snowboarders.

X-JAM Takai Fuji & Yomase Onsen Ski Resort

This ski resort is a combination of two ski resorts: X-JAM Takai Fuji, which has one of the largest parks in Japan and is popular with snowboarders, and Yomase Onsen Ski Resort, which is popular for its spectacular view of Shinshu's Zenkojidaira.

The vast Mt. Takasha area is so much fun that you can ski all day long and never get tired of it.

X-JAM Takai Fuji boasts a complete lineup, from parks with items for beginners to parks with items that will thrill advanced players, such as giant kickers and rails.

Courses for advanced skiers will have you enjoying just watching them ski.

Yomase Onsen Ski Resort has 13 unique courses, with the middle slopes being the main ones. You can enjoy a number of technical courses that are loved by competitive skiers, so if you're confident in your skiing skills, why not give it a try?

Click here for the official website of X-JAM Takai Fuji & Yomase Onsen Ski Resort

Able Hakuba Goryu & Hakuba47 Winter Sports Park

Among the ski resorts in Hakuba, which is famous for its powder snow, one of the most popular is Hakuba Goryu & Hakuba47 Winter Sports Park.

Designed to combine two ski resorts, Able Hakuba Goryu and Hakuba 47, you can enjoy a total of 24 courses and three areas in luxury with a common lift ticket.

Located at an altitude of 1,500m, it has been open for a relatively long time even in the Hakuba area.

Hakuba47 Winter Snow Park, a world-famous snow park supervised by a professional boarder team, has a variety of items such as a full-fledged halfpipe, jumping hills, rails, and boxes, making it enjoyable for everyone from beginners to experts.

Click here for the official website of Able Hakuba Goryu & Hakuba47 Winter Sports Park

Ryuo Ski Park

Ryuo Ski Park, which has one of the world's largest ropeways that can seat 166 people, is a ski resort where you can enjoy long runs of approximately 6,000m with an altitude difference of over 1,000m.

Ryuo's famous Kiotoshi course, which is popular among advanced skiers and has a maximum slope of 36 degrees, is one of the best completely uncompacted snow slopes in Japan and offers an extremely long run over stream terrain.

There are two snow parks at Ryuo Ski Park. ``Green park'' has items perfect for a park debut, and ``Wavy Lines'' is located at the top of the mountain and has items that take advantage of the terrain, such as wave, banked slalom, and hip. This is the perfect park to level up while having fun.

Click here for the official website of Ryuo Ski Park

Ski resort where you can enjoy snow activities

We will introduce ski resorts where you can enjoy snow activities other than skiing and snowboarding.

Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort (SNOW WOW)

``HAKUBA TSUGIKE SNOW WOW!'' is a place where you can experience various snow activities.

A new type of adventure facility that both children and adults can enjoy, including the athletic play equipment ``Amidas'', the ``Snow Racer'' sled with a handle and brakes, and the Czech-made ``Snowfeet'' that slides on snow like skating. is.

Buggy cruising is a 6-seater attraction where a guide guides you along a special course. Even those who don't ski or snowboard can enjoy Tsugaike's slopes.

Click here for the official website of Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort

Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field

Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field is said to have one of the most beautiful views on a clear day in the Hakuba area.

The panoramic view of the Northern Alps from the mountaintop is particularly spectacular, and we recommend relaxing and enjoying it with a hot drink on the mountaintop terrace.

Hakuba Iwatake Snowfield has many courses that can be enjoyed by all levels, from beginners to experts.

There is also a snowshoe course, so even those who do not ski or snowboard can experience snow activities.

In 2022, the ice slide “Yoo-Hoo! Ice Slider” is available only in winter. There are courses with a total length of about 35m and a total length of 15m, and it is an activity where you can enjoy the feeling of speed as you slide on the ice.

Click here for the official website of Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field

Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort

Karuizawa is an area within Nagano Prefecture that receives relatively little snowfall, but Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort uses Japan's largest snow machine to open early in early November.

There are also plenty of schools and rental services, so it is also recommended for beginners and people with children. Most of the courses are for beginners, accounting for half of the 16 courses in total. Lift fees are free for children up to elementary school age, making it a parent-child-friendly ski resort.

The Snowman Park, which has snow escalators, is packed with items that even small children can enjoy, such as tubing. There is also a ``West Chibikko Land'' exclusively for Karuizawa Prince Hotel guests.

After enjoying skiing or snowboarding, we recommend shopping at Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza.

Click here for the official website of Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort

Ski resorts recommended for beginners and those with children

Among the ski resorts in Nagano Prefecture, we will introduce ski resorts for beginners with relatively low difficulty courses, as well as ski resorts for families with kid's parks.

Sugadaira Kogen Snow Resort

Sugadaira Kogen Snow Resort is a ski resort consisting of a total of 60 courses with a wide variety of variations on a vast 175 ha slope.

Courses can be chosen to suit various levels, from beginners to advanced, so it can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

Each area has a kids' park, complete with slides, sleds, vinyl cushions, and other play equipment for small children.

There is also a guided tour that takes you on a snowmobile and takes you around Mt. Nekodake (Nekodake) and the surrounding mountains. On a clear day, the view from the summit of Mt. Nekodake, which awaits you after a 25-minute ride on the snowmobile, is truly spectacular.

From there, you can not only enjoy a downhill ride in the best snow quality, but you can also return home by snowmobile, so even those who are not confident in skiing can enjoy it with confidence.

Click here for the official website of Sugadaira Kogen Snow Resort

HAKUBA VALLEY Kashimayari Ski Resort

HAKUBA VALLEY Kashimayari Ski Resort is a ski resort located at the entrance to the Hakuba area, and is characterized by its course layout that surrounds the center house.

No matter where you ski from, you can feel safe knowing that you will reach the center house as long as you descend, so even beginners can ski with peace of mind.

Another popular point is that you can continue skating without getting bored thanks to the wide variety of variations, such as long straight lines and moderate bumps.

There are also plenty of activities for children, so you can have fun all day long with a variety of ways to play, such as a merry-go-round on the snow, a snowmobile experience, an alpaca snack and walk experience, and ice skating.

Click here for the official website of HAKUBA VALLEY Kashimayari Ski Resort

Shirakaba 2in1 Ski Resort

The altitude of Shirakaba 2in1 Ski Resort in Yakogamine, Nagano Prefecture is 1,834m. It is known as a ski resort with a high rate of clear skies, good snow quality, and spectacular views.

There are 13 courses, 5 of which are beginner to beginner-advanced, and 8 of which are intermediate to intermediate-advanced, making them perfect for beginners and families. You can enjoy a long picnic course with a total length of 1,800m.

Chibikko Park also offers a variety of activities such as tube sledding and snow racers.

Click here for the official website of Shirakaba 2in1 Ski Resort

Kurohime Kogen Snow Park

Kurohime Kogen Snow Park has many gentle courses for beginners, and the overall visibility is good, making it a ski resort where even beginners can ski with confidence.

The kids park has more than 1,000 snow play items that can be used for free, making it popular among families with children. Another great feature is that you can ride the lifts inside the kids park as much as you like.

The park is also fully equipped with a nursery and nursing room, with facilities that are parent-friendly.

Click here for the official website of Kurohime Kogen Snow Park

Yachiho Kogen Ski Resort

Yachiho Kogen Ski Resort is surrounded by a beautiful white birch forest, and is characterized by conditions created by both natural and artificial snowfall.

The attraction is a wide variety of course attractions that beginners can enjoy to their heart's content, including a family course perfect for a debut on the slopes, a ``Winter Sports Park'' with plenty of items that beginners can enjoy, and a ``Gentle Slope Cob'' where you can experience a bump.

The clubhouse with a rest area is spacious and relaxing, and there is also a practice slope for children, a slope exclusively for sledding, and equipment for playing in the snow.

In addition, there is a full-fledged course dedicated to bumps and a course dedicated to poles, with multiple lines of different pitches and a large air platform, so both intermediate and advanced players will not get bored.

The hearty meals at the restaurants located on the slopes are also appealing.

Click here for the official website of Yachiho Kogen Ski Resort

Shirakaba Resort Ikenotaira Snow Park

Shirakaba Resort Ikenotaira Snow Park, attached to Ikenotaira Hotel, is a ski resort recommended for families with children. It's easily accessible, less than 3 hours from Tokyo, and you can easily enjoy powder snow.

Although it is a compact ski resort with a total of 4 courses, there are plenty of schools and rentals such as ski lessons for children as young as 4 years old (snowboarding is available from 6 years old), so it is perfect for making your debut on the slopes.

Snow Athletics offers a variety of equipment that children will enjoy, such as slalom poles where they can practice turning, and punching skis where they can punch sandbags overhead while sliding.

It also has a variety of facilities other than skiing, such as a space where you can interact with animals such as owls and rabbits, an indoor heated pool, bowling, and hot springs, so it's an attractive point that there are many ways to enjoy it.

Click here for the official website of Shirakaba Resort Ikenotaira Snow Park

tangram ski circus

Tangram Ski Circus, blessed with high-quality natural snow, is a ski resort with a variety of courses that offer spectacular views of the Hokushin Five Mountains and Lake Nojiri.

Most of the courses have a layout that leads to Hotel Tangram, so it's hard to get lost. The wide variety of course designs can be enjoyed by everyone from beginners to experts.

The kids park has a snow escalator that is about 40 meters long, so children can have fun on their own without the help of adults.

Park visitors can use the park's playground equipment, such as sleds and bowler carousels, free of charge.

In addition to snowmobiling and snow rafting, there are also plenty of activities such as indoor pools, hot springs, and saunas.

Click here for the official website of Tangram Ski Circus

Ski resort with convenient transportation access

Many ski resorts in Nagano Prefecture are located deep in the mountains and are often difficult to access. However, the ski resorts we will introduce here are easily accessible from the station. Please use this as a reference so that you can play to the fullest once you arrive at your destination.

Saku Ski Garden Parada

It is the only ski resort in Japan that can be accessed without getting off the expressway, and is directly connected to the Sakudaira Smart IC on the Joshinetsu Expressway.

It only runs on well-maintained expressways, so there is no problem even if you are not good at driving on snowy roads.

The parking lot, which can accommodate 1,500 cars, is always free, so you don't have to worry. It can be accessed in 90 minutes from the city center and has plenty of facilities such as day trip hot springs.

Saku Ski Garden Parada boasts a high sunny weather rate of 90% and is a well-maintained slope with artificial snow. There are a wide variety of trails, with the upper part being suitable for intermediate to advanced climbers, and the closer you get to the bottom, the less difficult it becomes.

It is especially popular among families as it has a full range of school lessons and a kids' park.

Click here for the official website of Saku Ski Garden Parada

Fujimi Panorama Resort

Fujimi Panorama Resort is a well-located ski resort located 7 minutes from the Suwa Minami IC on the Chuo Expressway. It takes about 90 minutes from Hachioji, 130 minutes from Yokohama, 100 minutes from Shizuoka, and 150 minutes from Nagoya.

It is a ski slope with a spectacular blue sky that overlooks Mt. Yatsugatake with an 85% chance of clear skies, and as the name suggests, you can even see Mt. Fuji on a clear day.

The slopes for intermediate/advanced skiers and the slopes for beginners are clearly separated at the top and bottom, making this a nice layout for beginners, where they can relax and immerse themselves in their practice.

There are only a few ski resorts near Tokyo that allow you to ski long distances, so the longest run of 3,000m is an attractive feature.

Click here for the official website of Fujimi Panorama Resort

Shirakabako Royal Hill Ski Resort

Shirakabako Royal Hill Ski Resort is easily accessible from many areas such as Tokyo, Nagoya, and Saitama, and is a popular ski resort for day-trippers. It is easily accessible from both the Chuo Expressway and the Joshinetsu Expressway, both of which connect to the IC within an hour.

The ski resort is fully equipped with snow machines to maintain stable conditions from the beginning of the season to the end.

Also, one of the attractions is that night games are open every day during the period. The course is maintained every day before the night game, so you can enjoy the same clean compacted snow slopes even during the night game.

Although it is compact, it is a slope that is popular with skiers and snowboarders of a wide range of levels, as it has a full range of park items and a permanent hump course for practice.

Click here for the official website of Shirakabako Royal Hill Ski Resort

If traveling by car is difficult, the direct bus Snowliner is convenient!

No matter how easy the access is, some people may not want to drive due to fatigue. For such people, we recommend the ``Snow Liner'' express bus that takes you directly to the slopes.

When using a train or Shinkansen, you may be concerned about the distance from the station.

However, with a direct bus, you just need to go to the bus meeting point and it will take you to your destination ski resort.

Not only do you not have to worry about unnecessary things other than skiing or snowboarding, such as driving fatigue or troublesome transfers, but you can also sleep on your way back when you are tired, so you can go to ski resorts in Nagano Prefecture. It's convenient to go there.

You can easily reserve the direct bus ``Snow Liner'' from this website , so please consider using it when going to a ski resort in Nagano Prefecture.

Click here to reserve the Snow Liner

Best season for ski resorts in Nagano Prefecture

The best season for ski resorts in Nagano Prefecture is from January to February, when there is plenty of snow and the quality of the snow is stable. On the other hand, ski resorts are expected to be crowded during the year-end and New Year holidays, and from November to December, when skiers and snowboarders looking to ski for the first time visit. Beginners should be especially careful as it will be difficult to practice in crowded conditions.

Additionally, there is less snowfall in November and December, and some courses may not be available at newly opened ski resorts, but there is also the advantage that prices tend to be lower than during peak times.

Opening times vary depending on the ski resort, so please check the official website of each ski resort for detailed opening times.

Enjoy winter at a ski resort in Nagano Prefecture that suits your purpose!

Nagano Prefecture ski resorts are full of attractions such as vast slopes, a variety of courses, and high quality snow. We have explained the characteristics of various ski resorts for different purposes. Choose the slope that suits you and enjoy the best "japow" experience.