Shiga Kogen boasts 18 ski resorts scattered throughout the area, all accessible with a single ticket. However, because each resort is accessible by car within this vast area, it can be a little confusing to figure out where to start your trip.
So, we suggest that you start your enjoyment of the central area, where many ski resorts are concentrated, from the "Mountain Station," which is home to the new Pulse Gondola, which opened this winter
Located in the Hasuike area, the gateway to Shiga Kogen, is "Shiga Kogen Yama no Eki" (Shiga Highlands Mountain Station). Situated about 800 meters above sea level from the town at the foot of the mountain, it is an ideal hub station for the central area of Shiga Kogen, featuring a bus stop, free parking within easy walking distance, a cafe, a souvenir shop, a large rental station "Alpina Sports," and even a workation space.
The ski resorts in the central area introduced here are all neatly located within a radius of approximately 3km from the benchmark "Mountain Station," and it's easy to extend your trip to Terakoya and Sun Valley from here. Especially in the middle of winter, roads often freeze, making driving to each ski resort a nerve-wracking experience. For users who are not confident drivers, the existence of the "Mountain Station" is very much appreciated. In addition, having a starting point makes it easier to plan your trip from there.
From "Yama no Eki" you can access the first Pulse Gondola in a ski resort in Honshu, a triple-linked gondola that connects the resort to the Giant Ski Resort, a distance of 400mThis is the base station of the old Shiga Kogen Ropeway. The now-defunct carriages remain as they were. The departure and arrival point has been renovated and is now a great viewing point. There is also a cafe on the premises (please check opening hours)The rental station "Alpina Sports" has a wide range of rentals to suit various tastes. The store, which opened this winter, is a spacious space with a wood motif. It is clean and has thorough COVID-19 countermeasuresA souvenir shop with a wide selection of original souvenirsBuses that circulate around the ski resorts also make a stop here, so even if you go to a ski resort far from the central area, it's easy to get back
Walking around the slope seen from the mountain station
Looking straight ahead from Yamanoeki, you can clearly see Higashidateyama and Hatsubobunadaira to the right, and Nishidateyama to the left. Behind them are Ichinose and Takamagahara, and further back is Teragoya, and Giant to the far right, and further back from there are Hasuike, Maruike, and Sun Valley. What you can see from here is only a part of the central area
From this mountain station, you can see the slopes and ski down either clockwise or counterclockwise by taking the lifts. As you move along, you can enjoy a variety of courses, and before you know it, you'll have skied over half of the central area of the ski resort. Depending on the sunlight and wind conditions, you can change which direction you ski depending on the situation and your mood.
From here on, I will share with you some photos of what happened on a certain day in March
First, we got off the Pulse Gondola and headed to the plaza where the Giant, Hatchobunadaira, and Higashidateyama lifts can be accessed. It felt refreshing to be on a gondola going down even though we were about to start skiing. It felt strange to have the gondola carrier right behind usWe started riding counterclockwise, starting from Nishitateyama. Nishitateyama is an FIS-certified course, and is therefore extremely challenging. Beginner, intermediate and advanced courses are laid out from the summit, allowing for a variety of skiing speeds. The snow conditions here are also excellent, perhaps because the terrain is not affected much by the wind, even when other areas are experiencing strong winds. The Maruike course can be seen on the far left. The peaks of the Northern Alps float in front of you, and the high altitude provides a wonderful view with a sense of heightNishitateyama's intermediate course. The course on the ridge maintains a constant slope and has little change in the terrain, making it ideal for skiing at high speedsThe short slope from Nishitateyama to Takamagahara is surprisingly recommended as it is extremely deserted. To get to Takamagahara, you have to cross a bridge over the road. It is quite a rare experience to cross the road and ski into the neighboring ski resort..The view immediately after getting off the summit lift at Takamagahara. This view, which overlooks the five peaks of Hokushin (Mount Myoko, Mount Madarao, Mount Kurohime, Mount Togakushi, and Mount Iizuna), is truly "THE Shiga Kogen."Takamagahara is a flat, well-maintained slope. It is also famous as a practice slope for alpine skiers and beginner skiers. This slope is also great for speeding up and flyingFurther up from Takamagahara lies Terakoya, the highest point in the area at 2060m. It boasts excellent snow quality and stunning views. If you want to experience the snow quality of Shiga, this is a must-visit spot. Photo/Go Ito (Instagram:@gomaniac)Photo/Go Ito (Instagram:@gomaniac)From Terakoya to Higashitateyama. This course, which hosted the men's and women's giant slalom events at the Nagano Olympics, offers plenty of challenging skiing. The approximately 1600m course is perfect for speeding down to the bottom. Along the way, there's a rich variety of terrain, including mogul slopes and walls. Photo/Go Ito (Instagram:@gomaniac)If you come to Higashidateyama/Hatsubobunadaira, don't miss a ride on the rounded four-seater gondola. It began operation in 1976 and has been in business for 45 years. The old gondola carrier has already been retired, and now it has been replaced with a new model, as shown in the photo, that has a shape and size reminiscent of the old days. In addition, you can get a panoramic view of Higashidateyama's main course while riding, so it's a great way to imagine the line you'll be skiing down by looking at the course from aboveAn old sign found in the woods beside the course. Shiga Kogen has a long history, so there are monuments like this here and there. It's fun to ski while searching for themHatchobunadaira has a wide, gentle slope with a maximum width of 160m. It is an ideal practice slope for beginners and intermediate skiers, and on this day it was bustling with ski school students. There is also a wave on the skier's left slope seen from aboveReturning to the Pals Gondola, you will have completed a full circle of the slope that you could see from the "Mountain Station."
There are still many great places to ski, such as Giant, which has a famous single run with a maximum gradient of 34 degrees, Sun Valley at the southernmost tip of Shiga Kogen, Hasuike, which has a range of runs that are friendly to beginners and intermediates, and Maruike, the first in Japan to have a lift, but here we have focused on the slopes that offer great challenges
Let's try skiing in this huge ski area starting from "Yama no Eki."
