Comfortably go straight from the airport! 5 ski resorts you can go to using the Snowliner

Use the Snowliner to get to the airport efficiently and easily

Snowliner is an express bus that goes directly from the airport to the ski resort. You don't have to change trains after a long flight and you can just hop on the bus and head straight to the ski resort.

The route mainly connects Narita Airport and Haneda Airport with ski resorts, so it can also be used by people arriving in Japan on international flights.

Snowliner reservations here

Ski resorts you can go to directly from the airport

Here we will introduce recommended ski resorts that can be reached directly from the airport using the Snow Liner. We will also introduce the characteristics and attractions of the ski resorts, such as the snow quality, facilities, and activities.

Shiga Kogen Ski Resort

The official name of Shiga Kogen Ski Resort is "Shiga Kogen SHIGA KOGEN MOUNTAIN RESORT", a general term for the ski resorts in the Shiga Kogen area of Nagano Prefecture. Shiga Kogen Ski Resort is a vast ski resort with a total of 18 ski resorts, as well as 51 gondolas and lifts.

Direct access from Narita Airport and Haneda Airport

The Snow Liner will take you directly from Narita Airport or Haneda Airport to the Shiga Kogen area.

The train also stops at Odaiba, Tokyo, and Yokohama along the way, but for those travelling via the airport, it will be convenient to have a direct bus to and from the airport.

Recommended points of Shiga Kogen Ski Resort

Shiga Kogen Mountain Resort is scheduled to be open from Sunday, December 1, 2024 to Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (As of August 2024)

In the surrounding area, there are Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort, Madarao Ski Resort, Tangram Ski Circus, Togakushi Ski Resort, Ryuo Ski Park, etc., and there is a season pass for the lifts that can be used in all six areas. For those who are planning to move from Shiga Kogen Ski Resort, the season pass for the entire area is also recommended.

The Shiga Kogen area is also home to Yokoteyama Shibutoge Ski Resort, known as the ski resort with the longest operating season in Japan.

This season, it is scheduled to open on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, and remain open until late May 2025.

Snow monkeys at the nearby tourist spot "Jigokudani Monkey Park"

Nagano Prefecture is famous for Jigokudani Monkey Park, where you can see monkeys bathing in hot springs. The Japanese macaques bathing in the open-air baths amid the snowy scenery are affectionately known as "snow monkeys."

Japanese macaques originally inhabited the entire Shiga Kogen area. They still occasionally appear in front of people, so you may encounter large groups of them while walking around Shiga Kogen.

If you come across a Japanese macaque outside during your walk, do not approach or try to feed them; just watch them from a distance.

Madarao Ski Resort

Madarao Kogen is a plateau that stretches across Iiyama City, Nagano Prefecture and Myoko City, Niigata Prefecture, at an altitude of 1,000m. In addition to being able to enjoy the high-quality 100% natural snow that is unique to areas with heavy snowfall, tree runs through the forest on ungroomed powder snow are also popular.

Madarao Kogen Ski Resort is an all-season resort that is open even during the green season when there is no snow.

Direct access from Narita Airport and Haneda Airport

To get to Madarao Kogen Ski Resort, we recommend taking the Snowliner from the airport, which will take you directly from Narita or Haneda Airport to Madarao Kogen Ski Resort.

Recommended points of Madarao Kogen Ski Resort

We would like to introduce you to Madarao Kogen Hotel, a popular hotel due to its location right in front of the slopes of Madarao Kogen Ski Resort.

There are various accommodation plans available, including a one-night stay with two meals included, as well as a plan with no meals. The hotel's own natural hot spring is a colorless sodium-calcium chloride spring that is effective in relieving muscle pain and fatigue, allowing you to relax and unwind after winter sports.

Madarao Kogen Ski Resort has a total of 31 courses, and together with Tangram, the total number of courses is 51, which is an attractive feature. Anyone from beginners to advanced skiers can enjoy both groomed and ungroomed courses. In addition, it has the most tree run courses in Japan.

Other activities available include "backcountry ski tours," with experienced guides providing guidance tailored to participants' levels.

Introduction of restaurants in the ski resort

Let us introduce you to the restaurants located on the slopes of Madarao Kogen Ski Resort.

The main restaurant has a seating capacity of 800. They have a wide variety of menu items, from standard dishes like curry rice to sweets like crepes. There are also raised seats, so you can rest your tired body after skiing or snowboarding.

Fill up on a juicy double cheeseburger made with Angus beef. There are sofa seats and a free-to-use pool table, so why not try it out during your post-meal break?

If you want to take a break, why not take a break and enjoy the owner's specially selected coffee? We also recommend pizza for lunch. We also accept reservations for ski school and backcountry tours.

Akakura Tourist Resort Ski Area

Akakura Kanko Ski Resort, located in Myoko Kogen in Niigata Prefecture, is not only a place where you can enjoy snow sports, but also hot spring facilities, mountain climbing, and trekking.

Direct access from Narita Airport and Haneda Airport

From Narita Airport or Haneda Airport, you can take the Snowliner bound for Madarao or Akakura directly to the ski resort.

Considering the convenience of being able to fly in and then transfer to a bus to get to the ski resort right away, it's a good idea to make a reservation early.

Recommended points of Akakura Kanko Resort Ski Area

Akakura Kanko Ski Resort, which opened for business this winter on Saturday, December 14, 2024, offers a variety of courses on its slopes.

There are courses available to suit your purpose and level, from beginner courses that are popular with beginners and families, to courses for intermediate and advanced skiers, as well as full-scale long courses where official competitions are held.

There is also a children's playground for children who are visiting the slopes for the first time. They can make snowmen and play on sleds, making it the perfect place to create memories as a family.

There are pensions, hotels, and inns around Myoko Kogen, and they offer accommodation plans that include lift tickets for guests staying at the ski resorts, as well as a wide range of cafes and restaurants.

Akakura Onsen Ski Resort is also nearby.

Akakura Onsen Ski Resort is located near the Akakura Kanko Ski Resort. The slopes are made entirely from natural snow, and some slopes are ungroomed.

It is also the only resort in the Myoko area that is open at night, making it ideal for those who want to enjoy the ski resort until late into the night.

Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort

Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort in Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture, is popular for its 100% natural powder snow. The slopes are right in front of the hotel, so you can both relax at the hotel and enjoy the ski resort to your heart's content.

Direct access from Narita Airport and Haneda Airport

Snowliners bound for Hakuba Village can be boarded from Narita Airport or Haneda Airport. Trains bound for Hakuba Village also stop at Odaiba, Tokyo, and Yokohama, but once you're on board, it's a direct ride to your destination, Hakuba Village.

* Only night buses are available to Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort.

Recommended points of Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort

Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort has 16 courses, and can be enjoyed by everyone from beginners to advanced skiers. The slope is 1,402m high at the top and 872m low at the bottom, with an elevation difference of 530m. You can enjoy a course up to 3.5km long.

This winter's business is scheduled to begin on December 16, 2023, but the closing date has not yet been decided. (As of October 2023)

In addition, during operating hours, information about slopes and lift operation can be checked on the website, so you can rest assured that you can check immediately even if the weather suddenly turns bad.

In addition, because the courses are shaped like a pot, most of the courses converge in front of the hotel, allowing you to ski on the slopes immediately after leaving the hotel.

The nearby "Snow Play Park" is also recommended

Hotel Green Plaza Hakuba has a snow theme park called "Kids Park/Snow Play Park."

The advantage of being close to the hotel and parking lot is that if your child gets tired or sleepy you can quickly return to the hotel.

The attraction of the snow play area is that you can play freely, making snowmen and so on. In addition, the "chaping area," "sledding area," and "snow rafting area" offer a variety of other activities, such as sledding (fees apply).

Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort

Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort is adjacent to the Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort and has trails that lead to the Hakuba Alps Hotel.

Direct access from Narita Airport and Haneda Airport

Snowliners to Hakuba Village can be boarded from Narita Airport and Haneda Airport, and also stop at Odaiba, Tokyo, and Yokohama.

Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort is adjacent to Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort, so people wanting to go to either resort will use the same bus.

Recommended points of Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort

The winter season usually runs from mid-December to late March of the following year, but this period varies depending on the amount of snowfall. As of September 2024, the operation is scheduled to run from Saturday, December 21st, 2024 to Sunday, April 6th, 2025.

Please check the latest information for details.

In addition, the Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort is also home to the Hakuba Norikura Ski School, so those who want to learn skiing properly and those skiing for the first time can rest assured.

With instructors from the Japan Ski Federation providing hands-on instruction, even beginners can enjoy skiing with peace of mind.

Ski schools also offer private lessons, with classes for beginners, advanced skiers, and even experts available, so they can answer questions from those who want to try snow sports for the first time or those who don't know where to start.

In addition, all necessary equipment such as ski boots, snowboards, skis, etc. can be rented. We recommend that you check the size on-site in advance.

Hakuba area, home to many popular ski resorts

Hakuba Village is one of the villages in Kitaazumi District, located in the northwest of Nagano Prefecture. In addition to overlooking the Northern Alps, it is a place that many people visit to enjoy snow sports during the winter season.

In addition to the Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort and Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort introduced in this article, the Hakuba area is home to a number of other ski resorts, including Hakuba Iwatake Snowfield, Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort, and Hakuba Happo-one Ski Resort.

They also sell an "All Mountain Season Pass" that allows you to use the lifts in the entire area throughout the season. This is a great deal for people who want to try out the various ski resorts in Hakuba Village.

[Summary] Using the Snowliner to get from the airport to the ski resort

This time, we told you about recommended ski resorts that can be reached from the airport using the Snow Liner.

Snowliner is a recommended express bus service for those who want to go directly to the ski resort, as all you have to do is transfer to a bus after arriving at the airport by plane. It's easy to get around because you don't have to drive a car or look up how to get there by public transportation.

[Ski resorts accessible directly from the airport by snow liner]

The Snow Liner website is available in English, Chinese, and Korean. Check the website for details on fares, routes, and more.

If you are going from the airport to the ski resort, be sure to consider using the Snowliner.

Snowliner reservations here