1,300 readers chose "Top 10 local ski resorts I don't really want to tell you about!"

STEEP is pleased to announce the results of its lift ticket giveaway campaign/reader survey conducted last December.
First up is "Your Favorite Local Ski Resort You Don't Really Want to Tell Anyone About." While there were opinions such as "What is the definition of 'local'?" and "Is it okay to tell people about ski resorts you don't want to share?", the top 10 local ski resorts across Japan, loved by many readers, have been decided. Your favorite ski resort might be ranked! If there's a ski resort that interests you, we encourage you to go and experience its unique charm right away.

No. 1 Sakae Club Ski Resort

Sakae Club Ski Resort is a village-run ski resort in Sakae Village, a village that loves powder snow and tomatoes, located at the northernmost tip of Nagano Prefecture. It's a two-minute drive from National Route 117 and 25 minutes from Nozawa Onsen. This ski resort, which uses 100% natural snow and is a favorite among powder enthusiasts, gets busier the worse the weather. With a high chance of encountering powder snow and almost no waiting time for the lifts, you can fully satisfy your powder cravings

Numerous events are held, including raffles and free lift tickets for elementary school students on Children's Ski Day. Sweet rice wine, mushroom soup, oshiruko (sweet red bean soup), and chocolate-covered bananas are also offered.
The restaurant serves local tomato tsukemen (dipping noodles) and all-you-can-eat homemade pickled Nozawana (pickled mustard greens) from Sakae Village. The pickled daikon radish is also rumored to be exceptional.
The cheapest weekday season pass in Japan* is also attractive! Enjoy both skiing and the charm of this Shinshu village!
*Weekdays excluding New Year's holidays: 12,000 yen

[Information]

Address:
　　　　　　　2903 Kitashin, Sakae-mura, Shimominochi-gun, Nagano Prefecture
Operating period: December 21, 2024 - March 23, 2025
Lift fee: 4,500 yen
　　　　　　　(weekday adult one-day pass)
Access: 45 minutes from Toyota/Iiyama IC, 55 minutes from Shiozawa/Ishiuchi IC
Official website:https://sakaeclub.securesite.jp/

[Comment from the ski resort]
We are very pleased to have been ranked among the "favorite local ski resorts."
Sakae Club Ski Resort is a very compact ski resort, but above all, we aim to be a welcoming and homey place. We value communication with each and every customer, and we hope that this ski resort can become a place where you can feel at ease, like returning to your hometown in the countryside. We truly hope that you will make it your home slope and come back again and again.

Although it is a ski resort with 3 lifts and 9 courses, the variety of courses is rich and can be enjoyed by everyone from beginners to advanced skiers.
And above all, the main attraction is the ungroomed courses where you can enjoy the abundant natural snow of this heavy snowfall area. Especially on weekdays, we expand the ungroomed courses so that you can enjoy deep powder snow even within the course. In addition, the "Kumanosu Course," which has a long, steep slope, is ideal for practicing carving turns. We are seeing an increasing number of customers coming here to train in alpine snowboarding and basic skiing.

From the mountaintop, a grand panorama unfolds, encompassing Mount Naeba, the Five Peaks of Northern Shinshu, the Echigo Sanzan, and even the Northern Alps in the distance.

For food on the slopes, we recommend the "Tomato Tsukemen" (dipping noodles) made with Sakae Village's specialty "tomato juice." The refreshing acidity of the tomatoes and the rich dipping sauce are simply superb. We also offer a free "homemade Nozawana pickle" service, which has been available since we opened, and it's very popular.

Moving forward, we will continue to value face-to-face communication with our customers and hope that as many people as possible can experience a local atmosphere that feels like home.

No. 2 Hida Nagareha Ski Resort

Hida Nagareha Ski Resort, the largest in the Hida region, is known as a hidden gem resort for several reasons: firstly, the breathtaking panoramic views of the Tateyama mountain range and the Northern Alps from the summit; secondly, the observation restaurant at the top, where, if you're lucky, you can even see a sea of ​​clouds or a forest;
and thirdly, the natural hot spring "Neutrino" located next to the slopes, complete with an open-air bath and jacuzzi. In addition to its fatigue-relieving effects, it also has skin-beautifying effects, and even those who don't ski can relax in the spacious tatami-matted area.
And best of all, the powder snow means there's hardly any waiting time for the lifts. With a variety of terrain utilizing ridges and valleys, from moderately steep slopes to wide, gentle slopes, it's enjoyable for both children and adults. It's a 30-minute drive from Takayama IC and has a large free parking lot. Why not take a short trip and enjoy the nature of Okumino?

[Information]

506-1154
　　　　　　　150 Fushikata, Kamioka-cho, Hida City, Gifu Prefecture
Operating period: December 14, 2024 - March 9, 2025
Lift ticket: 3,500 yen
　　　　　　　(weekday adult one-day pass)
Access: 30 minutes from Takayama IC, 40 minutes from Hida Kiyomi IC
Official website:https://hida-nagareha.com/

[Comment from the ski resort]
We are very pleased to be ranked.

Our ski resort is not large, and our facilities are not as extensive as those of larger resorts, so we are honored to receive such recognition. We would like to
put more effort into improving the hardware, but more than that, we would like to strive to improve the software so that our customers can enjoy themselves safely.
　
Regarding inbound tourism, we feel that it is increasing year by year despite being a local ski resort. Our foreign language support is not yet sufficient, but we would like to improve it little by little and respond with sincerity. Our facility allows you to

enjoy winter sports, hot springs, and food all at once, and we have prepared everything so that you can fully enjoy Hida and Kamioka, including offering local cuisine. We hope you will enjoy the finest powder, the challenging terrain, the gentle slopes, the 360° panoramic view, and the Hida flavors and the skin-beautifying hot springs to soothe your fatigue.

3rd place: Shinshu Matsumoto Nomugi Pass Ski Resort

Nomugi Pass Ski Resort proudly proclaims "No beginners allowed." It is one of only 2.5% of ski resorts in Japan located above 2,000m in elevation, and its high altitude results in snow quality that is distinctly different from others. With many moderately steep slopes, it offers an excellent challenge even for advanced skiers. You can enjoy speedy turns on moderately steep slopes.
From the summit, where you can see Mt. Ontake and Mt. Norikura, you can enjoy a spectacular 4,000m downhill run.
filled with love and carethe staff blog.

[Information]

Address:
　　　　　　　1173-13 Nagawa, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture
Operating Period: December 20, 2024 - March 23, 2025
Lift Ticket Price: 3,000 yen
　　　　　　　(Weekday Adult One-Day Pass)
Access: 55 minutes from Matsumoto IC, 60 minutes from Shiojiri IC
Official Website:http://gakutoresort.jp/

[Comment from the ski resort]
Thank you for choosing our resort as your favorite local ski resort. Our resort boasts

spectacular views unique to its 2130m altitude, excellent snow quality, and firm slopes, and we hope that as many people as possible will experience the exhilarating feeling it offers.

No. 4 Seki Onsen Ski Resort

Seki Onsen Ski Resort is charming with its deep snow typical of heavy snowfall areas and an atmosphere that makes you feel like you've traveled back in time to the Showa era. A charming single chairlift runs through the hot spring town lined with inns and guesthouses. At "Taube," a restaurant at the foot of the mountain that exudes the warmth of wood, you can enjoy Koshihikari rice grown with the cold snowmelt water of the local Sekiyama mountain and homemade dishes. In fact, Seki Onsen was the first in Japan to declare "100% natural hot spring water flowing directly from the source," and all accommodations offer a luxurious hot spring experience.
Backcountry tours are also held, and it is a mecca for spring skiing. Its popularity has been gradually spreading recently, but now is the time to soak up the nostalgic atmosphere and hot springs.

[Information]

Address: 949-2235
　　　　　　　Seki Onsen, Myoko City, Niigata Prefecture
Operating period: December 21, 2024 - May 5, 2025
Lift ticket: 4,000 yen
　　　　　　　(weekday adult one-day pass)
Access: 20 minutes from Myoko Kogen IC, 15 minutes from Nakago IC
Official website:http://sekionsen.jp/

[Comment from the ski resort]

Thank you for ranking us in the "Top 10 Favorite Local Ski Resorts That I Don't Really Want to Tell Anyone About!"

Myoko Seki Onsen Ski Resort, located in one of Japan's leading heavy snowfall areas, is the oldest ski resort in Japan, boasting abundant and high-quality snow. It is also highly regarded as an introductory ski resort for backcountry skiing, and is a place where you can enjoy powder runs and the famous hot springs of Myoko at the same time. This

compact ski resort has two lifts and one restaurant, and is supported by local customers and run by a family. The lifts are sometimes buried in snow and have to be closed, but we are working hard every day to ensure that you can enjoy the finest powder snow that is unique to heavy snowfall areas.

In addition to skiing, we also want you to enjoy the food, so our restaurant "Taube" offers a unique menu including handmade pizzas and pastas, steaks weighing over 300g, and Koshihikari rice from the local Sekiyama area. We also offer takeout, delivery, and transportation for customers who are not skiing.

Please come and visit Seki Onsen Ski Resort, a place of heavy snowfall.

No. 5 Matsunoyama Onsen Ski Resort

Located just a 2-minute drive from the Matsunoyama Onsen hot spring resort, this compact ski resort boasts two lifts and a variety of courses, catering to everyone from beginners to advanced skiers looking to hone their skills with permanent poles. Lift tickets are very reasonably priced, with a weekday-only one-day pack including a 1-day lift ticket, a 1,000 yen lunch voucher, and a hot spring bath ticket for only 3,100 yen!
There's also a wide range of snow activities to enjoy, even for those who don't ski, such as airboarding, snow biking, and snow skating, so you can come in your boots. You can also enjoy warming up in the hot springs, one
of Japan's three best medicinal hot springs, located just a 5-minute drive from the Matsunoyama Onsen hot spring resort, and exploring the restaurants and souvenir shops.

[Information]

Address:
　　　　　　　909 Matsunoyama Tensuijima, Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture
Operating Period: December 21, 2024 - March 31, 2025
Lift Ticket Price: 3,000 yen
　　　　　　　(Weekday Adult One-Day Pass)
Access: 120 minutes from Shiozawa/Ishiuchi IC, 60 minutes from Echigo-Kawaguchi IC
Official Website:https://www.matsunoyama-ski.com/

[Comment from the ski resort]
We are very pleased that you chose us! We look forward to your continued patronage.

No. 6 Yamaboku Wild Snow Park

Located on the southern slopes of Mt. Kasagatake (2076m), Yamaboku Wild Snow Park, part of the Shiga Kogen UNESCO Eco-Park, boasts a remarkable 70% ungroomed, natural slopes. In summer, it transforms into a pasture, earning it the nickname "Shinshu's Tyrol" for its European atmosphere. The powder snow that falls on the plateau is light, and the varied slopes that take advantage of the natural terrain are a major draw. You can fully enjoy the powder on the "Takochi Course," the longest in Japan at 13km.
Yamaboku Wild Snow Park also offers unique events such as night cruises illuminated only by headlamps.
The five restaurants adjacent to the slopes each offer distinctive cuisine of a quality that surpasses typical ski resort food. After skiing, warm your body and soul by visiting the eight hot springs scattered throughout "Yutsuduki no Sato," each with its own unique water quality and location.

[Information]

Address: 3681-35
　　　　　　　Yamada Ranch, Takayama Village, Kamitakai District, Nagano Prefecture
Operating Period: December 21, 2024 - March 16, 2025
Lift Fee: 2,500 yen
　　　　　　　(Weekday Adult One-Day Pass)
Access: 45 minutes from Suzaka-Nagano East IC
Official Website:https://yamaboku.co.jp/

[Comment from the ski resort]
We are very pleased to hear that we ranked highly in the survey.

First of all, one of the things that sets us apart from other ski resorts is the wide variety of lunch options. From the Genghis Khan set meal and handmade soba noodles at the restaurant, to the baked cheese curry and pizza at Miharashi Chaya, and the original ramen at Redwood Inn, you can't go wrong no matter where you choose!

Our ski resort boasts 100% natural snow and super dry powder snow. We also have a variety of terrains, making for a highly flexible slope.
Although we don't have night skiing facilities, we are planning "YAMABOKU Glide at Night," where you can ski with a headlamp on. Experience something you can't get at other ski resorts at Yamaboku! We also leave the powder as long as possible so that our customers can enjoy ungroomed snow as much as possible. The competition is low, so you can eat as much as you want! We also hold the "2ndSTAGE" backcountry tour every weekend. This is also a very popular program, so we recommend it!

The last frontier known only to those in the know. Once you taste it, you'll be hooked! We look forward to seeing you!

No. 7 Aizu Kogen Nango Ski Resort

Aizu Kogen Nango Ski Resort boasts one of Japan's best permanent halfpipes and a well-equipped park.
While popular with snowboarders, it also has a park for beginners and a kids' park where you can keep an eye on your children from the center house.
The view from the mountaintop is magnificent, and the Nango Blue on a clear day is breathtaking. Not only is the park well-maintained, but the slopes are also meticulously groomed, and the diverse courses can be enjoyed by skiers of all levels, from beginners to advanced.

For lunch, we recommend the cute and humorous original menu items, such as the limited-quantity special curry rice shaped like the resort's rabbit logo, and the katsu curry shaped like the halfpipe. There are also rumors of an incredibly large onigiri (rice ball). You should definitely go and check it out for yourself.

[Information]

Address:
　　　　　　　293 Yunoiri, Kai, Minamiaizu-machi, Minamiaizu-gun, Fukushima Prefecture
Operating period: December 21, 2024 - March 23, 2025
Lift ticket price: 4,500 yen (5,000 yen for those 30 years and older)
　　　　　　　(Weekday adult one-day pass)
Access: 120 minutes from Aizuwakamatsu IC
Official website:https://www.nango-ski.com/

[Comment from the ski resort]
Our ski resort is located in a heavy snowfall area, and it's a very inconvenient place with "no buses," "no trains," and "the highway is extremely far away."
Despite this, all of our staff have a deep love for Nango and are creative and resourceful in welcoming every customer who visits us, so that they can have a great time.

Encouraged by this ranking, we will continue to strive to be a ski resort that everyone can enjoy. Thank you very much.

No.8 Suhara Ski Resort

Located about 30 minutes from Uonuma IC, Suhara Ski Resort boasts easy access and a variety of courses to satisfy skiers of all levels

, from beginners to advanced. A hooded, high-speed quad lift takes you straight to the summit, ensuring comfortable skiing even in bad weather. The long stretch to the bottom offers unique terrain including banks, walls, and jump spots, making it a favorite among top freeride competitors. Check out what top riders have to say about the appeal of Suhara Ski Resorthere. The

resort also features a spacious free parking lot and a kids' room. Numerous events, such as ski test sessions and mochi-making competitions, are held regularly. There are plenty of attractive services to encourage repeat visits, including lunch packs with lunch vouchers, repeat visitor discounts through the original app, and discounts on hot springs with a lift ticket!

The restaurant is constantly striving to develop new menu items. Don't miss the original and limited-time new dishes!

[Information]

Address: 1846-13
　　　　　　　Suhara, Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture
Operating Period: December 25, 2024 - March 16, 2025
Lift Ticket Price: 3,500 yen
　　　　　　　(Weekday Adult One-Day Pass)
Access: 30 minutes from Uonuma IC or Horinouchi IC
Official Website:https://www.suhara-ski.com/

[Comment from the ski resort]
As one of the heaviest snowfall areas in Japan, you can enjoy addictive, heavy powder snow. Our recommended course is the ungroomed "Blizzard Course" for advanced skiers, which features two streams running through it, interesting terrain, and the deepest powder snow on the resort.

At the restaurant, the "Blissful Katsu Curry," made with a thick cutlet and a specially developed curry roux, is popular. We also recommend the luxurious dish that combines tonkotsu ramen and roast beef.

No. 9 Bibai National Ski Resort

Bibai National Ski Resort boasts excellent access, just an hour from Sapporo, and offers reasonably priced lift tickets. Despite having only one lift, it offers a wide variety of courses, allowing you to enjoy the meticulously groomed north-facing slopes all day long. Warm and thoughtful services cater to skiers' needs, including hot snacks, free welcome drinks, and hot water for instant noodles. For
après-ski relaxation, head to the Aonodokutsu Onsen "Pipa no Yu Yu-rin Kan," a hot spring inn perched on a hilltop. From the hilltop, you can enjoy panoramic views of Bibai City, as well as the towns of Naie, Urausu, and Tsukigata, with the view of Pinneshiri (Kabato Mountains) being particularly breathtaking. There are also discounted lift tickets that include access to the hot springs. Its popularity is on the rise, and it remains to be seen how long it will remain a hidden gem in Sorachi. Due to snowmelt caused by warmer weather, the resort will close for the season on March 16th (Sunday), so be sure to get your last ski trip of the season now!
*Temporary opening (final day): March 22nd (Sat) - March 23rd (Sun), 2025 (Nastar Race Youth Dream Grand Prix will be held)

[Information]

Address: 072-0000 Bancho, Higashi-Bibai-cho, Bibai City
Operating period: Mid-December 2024 to mid-March 2025
Lift fee: 2,700 yen
　　　　　　　(weekday adult one-day pass)
Access: 8 minutes from Bibai IC
Official website:https://bibaiski.jp/

10th place White Valley Minakami

The former White Valley Ski Resort has been renamed White Valley Minakami this season. Easily accessible from the Kanto region, lift tickets are free for elementary school students on the first and third Saturdays of each month. They offer unique promotions such as "Premium Powder Day," where 90% of the upper slopes are left ungroomed, a weekday-only "Ski Resort Exclusive Rental Plan," and a deal where coffee at the restaurant is only 100 yen if you purchase an original tumbler with the new logo. They also host events that children can enjoy, such as a "Snow Treasure Hunt" and a "Mystery Solving Guild."
It is said that morning tickets are best for enjoying the powder. Check the weather forecast and aim for after snowfall.

[Information]

Address:
　　　　　　　 Lodge White Valley, located within the National Forest of Tanigawa Onsen, Minakami-machi, Tone-gun, Gunma Prefecture
Operating period: Saturday, December 21, 2024 to Sunday, March 16, 2025
Lift ticket price: 5,200 yen
　　　　　　　(weekday adult one-day pass)
Access: 7km from Minakami IC on the Kan-Etsu Expressway
Official website:https://www.whitevalley.jp/

[Comment from the ski resort]
Thanks to everyone's warm support, we have been able to rank in this year's rankings! We are truly grateful.

"White Valley Ski Resort" has been reborn as "White Valley Minakami" from the 2024 season! This name reflects our desire to let more people know about the charm of "Minakami" and to further promote it. We aim to be a ski resort that can be enjoyed by a wide range of people, from children to advanced skiers.

For beginners, we always have ski schools to support your improvement. For advanced skiers, we irregularly hold "Premium Powder Days" where 90% of the upper slopes are ungroomed, providing a highly satisfying skiing experience.

In addition, we have a wide range of rental equipment so you can come empty-handed, and we also have winter kick bikes for children to rent, as well as mystery-solving and treasure hunt events that the whole family can enjoy.

Furthermore, we are currently running a campaign where lift tickets are free for elementary school students, university students, or one family member on certain days of the week!Instagram, so please follow us!

All of our staff are looking forward to your visit!