A summary of recommended ski resorts in Tohoku | Mysterious scenery, dry powder, hot springs, and more on your Michinoku trip

The Tohoku region, which comprises Aomori, Akita, Iwate, Miyagi, Yamagata, and Fukushima prefectures, is dotted with ski resorts across a wide area. The cold, dry seasonal winds blowing in from the continent create snow clouds as they pass over the Sea of ​​Japan. These snow clouds collide with the Ou Mountains, known as the backbone of Tohoku, and the Echigo Mountains that follow, causing heavy snowfall, resulting in heavy snowfall in the inland areas of Tohoku. We will introduce ski resorts that are unique in their location and topography

The Tohoku area is full of mountains for connoisseurs

Ski resorts in the Tohoku region are concentrated in inland areas and sharecharacteristic. While they are not exactly close to the city center,skiersand snowboarders are still drawn to the mountains of Tohoku because of the unparalleled skiing experience and the uncrowdedconditions.

The powder snow at Hachimantai, foris said to be on par with that of Hokkaido, makingoverseasskiers. In particular, the mystical frost-covered trees can be seen at Yamagata Zao and Aomori Hakkoda, and Lake Inawashiro in Fukushima is also beautiful. There are alsonearbymany charming hot spring resorts

Even if skiing is the main purpose, there is something evocative about a trip to Michinoku. In terms of finding your own "special" spot, the Tohoku regionseemswell worth exploring.

is opening up more and more tree runs and ungroomed areas.
Appi Kogen Ski Resort

Appi boasts 21 courses radiating from the isolated 1,304m-high Maemoriyama, with half of the courses exceeding 2km in length, making them long and impressive in scale. To compensate for this, highly mobile gondolas and quad lifts are strategically placed, ensuring easy access between courses. Although

the snowfall isn't exceptionally heavy, Appi's snow is fine-grained and doesn't easily compact, thanks to its topographical conditions and the advantage of being at 40 degrees north latitude. Appi has long been popular with freeskiers because of the opportunity to enjoy this high-quality powder over long distances, but in recent years, its ungroomed and tree run areas have been steadily expanding, nowtotaling.

When there is no snowfall, the ungroomed courses transform into crowded mogul slopes, stimulating a sense of challenge. Whether it snows or not, Appi offers a truly satisfying experience.

◆Official Website:https://www.appi.co.jp/ski/

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Six tree
run areas

Located in the southwestern part of Iwate Prefecture, Geto Plateau is bordered by the Kitakami Mountains to the east and the Ou Mountains to the west. Its terrain is known for bringing abundant dry powder snow, and it's astonishing that it records the "highest snowfall in Honshu." What's wonderful about Geto is that it generously unleashes the heavy snow that is synonymous with it.

It boasts 14 courses with two gondolas and five lifts, but since 2015, it has been actively expanding its tree run area year after year, and this aggressive approach has garnered immense support from powder enthusiasts. There are currently13. Each course takes advantage of the varied terrain, allowing you to enjoy powder riding in such a beautiful forest. This is the real charm of Geto.

Furthermore, taking advantage of the overwhelming amount of snow, it also has a high-quality park with more than 20 different features and meticulous maintenance from early in the season. Both the powder and the park are among the best in Tohoku, making it a place where people say, "Geto is the place to be in Tohoku."

Top elevation : 1,070m	Longest run: 2,980m	Altitude difference 430m	maximum slope 36°

courses 14	lifts 3	gondolas Two	Ropeway - Book

◆Official Website:https://www.getokogen.com/winter/

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attracts a core group of fans.
Hachimantai Resort Panorama & Shimokura

The mountain resort spreading across the northern side of Mount Iwate is divided into two parts: Panorama Ski Resort and Shimokura Ski Resort. The two are accessible by shuttle bus, but they are completely different types of resorts. Panorama is for those who want to relax in a hot spring resort, butShimokurais for serious skiers.

Shimokura has only three lifts. It is not large in scale, but itThis isnot only because of the snow quality, which is Tohoku's dry powder, but also because the courses are exceptionally good. The "Diamond Course" is a single 1,000m run with a maximum slope of 37 degrees and is ungroomed, so after a fresh snowfall, you can definitely experience overhead runs.

When there is little snow, it becomes a challenging mogul slope and a rough, varied run, increasing the motivation to conquer it. These exciting courses captivate core skiers.

◆Official Website:https://www.hachimantai.co.jp/winter/

■Hachimantai Resort Panorama & Shimokura Recommended Video

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A long 6-month season and the finest powder
snow on Honshu: Tengendai Kogen

Tengendai Kogen Ski Resort in Yamagata Prefecture is located in the southern part of the Ou Mountains, which reach altitudes of over 2,000 meters. With its top elevation exceeding 1,800 meters and north-facing slopes, it's no wonder that it boasts snow quality said to be "the finest powder on Honshu." As a result, it enjoys a long season of six months each year, from early December to the Golden Week holidays in May.

From the base of the mountain where the parking lot is located, a ropeway takes you straight up to the plateau, an altitude difference of 1,350 meters. The ski resort spreads out beyond that, giving it the feel of a "ski resort in the sky." The beautiful scenery, including the sight of frost-covered trees, also makes Tengendai special.

The long, narrow layout that takes advantage of the natural terrain offers a variety of slopes, and ungroomed powder zones are also open. There are also opportunities to go backcountry from the groomed slopes. During the high season, you can enjoy an extra-long run of up to 6 km. It's a bit of a distance from the Tokyo metropolitan area, but it's well worth the trip.

Top elevation : 1,820m	Longest run: 6,000m	Elevation difference: 900m	maximum slope 32°

Number of courses: 4	lifts 4	Gondola base	ropeway One

◆Official Website:http://www.tengendai.jp/winter/w-event.html

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Microfine snow, an ultra-fine snowflake, falls
at Hoshino Resorts Nekoma Mountain.

Nekoma Mountain is located in Urabandai, one of Japan's snowiest areas, boasting a long snowfall season of about five months, starting in early December. At an altitude of 1,000m, the north-facing slopes are covered with Nekoma's unique microfine snow, which sticks to the trees and creates the beautiful "frost" scenery that is Nekoma's signature

This area often receives significant snowfall, and even in April, you can sometimes enjoy powder riding with micro-fine snow. There are plenty of ungroomed courses, and "Deep 1" at the top is, as its name suggests, a deep and steep powder spot. The slopes are laid out in three directions from the bottom. 40% of the slopes are hard-packed and suitable for advanced skiers, offering plenty of challenging runs.

The park is also a highlight of Nekoma. The park's features and difficulty level change as the season progresses. In March, the high-spec "Nekoma Step-Up Park" appears, hosting world-class slopestyle competitions, and attracting professional skiers for training.

The South Area (formerly Alts Bandai) is located on the south side of the mountain, and in the 2023-2024 season, the Nyaruts Chair, a connecting lift linking the north and south sides, was finally completed. Of course, the 800m snow walking route remains, and the area has been transformed into an environment where you can enjoy panoramic views of Mount Bandai and Lake Inawashiro, as well as vast slopes bathed in sunlight

Top elevation : 1,337m	Longest run: 2,500m	Elevation difference: 580m	maximum slope 33°

courses 33	lifts 13	Gondola base	Ropeway - Book

◆Official Website:https://www.nekoma.co.jp/

■ Hoshino Resorts Nekoma Ski Resort Recommended Video

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All lifts are covered, making
EN RESORT Grandeco

Grandeco Snow Resort has rebranded and reopened! The appeal of Grandeco is that it is a resort that boasts the luxurious and high-society "EN RESORT Grandeco Hotel," while also offering high-quality skiing. With its base at an elevation of over 1,000m, you can enjoy high-quality snow and a long season

The slope is centered around a 2.4km gondola. All other lifts are hooded quads, a unique feature of Grandeco. They are highly maneuverable, allow for efficient skiing, and don't leave you cold, making them skier-friendly and appreciated. The ungroomed powder zone has been expanded, making it even more fun. The "Slope Park" where children can play has also been improved. The specialty cafes in the food court are also worth checking out. This is a luxurious ski resort that combines functionality on the hard side with quality skiing on the soft side

Top elevation : 1,580m	Longest run: 4,500m	Elevation difference: 580m	maximum slope 33°

courses 11	lifts 4	gondola One	Ropeway - Book

◆Official Website:https://www.grandeco.com/winter/

■Grandeco Snow Resort Recommended Video

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Sendai City Ski Resort Spring Valley Izumi Kogen offers night skiing every day
| SPRING VALLEY

Located just a 40-minute drive from downtown Sendai, at an altitude of 687m, this urban-style ski resort boasts excellent natural snow quality due to its location on the northern slopes of Izumigatake Mountain. Snow machines are also used to supplement the snow depth, ensuring consistently good conditions.

While the resort is compact at 18 hectares, it offers 12 courses accessible via four lifts,includinga steep 36-degree run. The snow park also features a wide variety of items, making it a popular attraction in Miyagi Prefecture. Furthermore, a major draw is its night skiing, which is open until 10 PM every night. On Friday and Saturday nights, you can even ski until 11 PM, making it perfect for those coming straight from work.

Top elevation : 959m	Longest run: 1,450m	Elevation difference: 272m	maximum slope 36°

courses 12	lifts 4	Gondola base	Ropeway - Book

◆Official Website:https://www.springvalley.co.jp/winter/

■Spring Valley Izumi Highlands recommended video

[Ski resorts in the Tohoku area]

1. Appi Plateau
2. Geto Plateau
3. Hachimantai Resort Panorama Ski Resort & Shimokura Ski Resort
4. Tengendai
5. Hoshino Resorts Nekoma Mountain
6. Grandeco Snow Resort
7. Spring Valley Izumi Highlands
8. Shizukuishi
9. Zao Hot Springs
10. Aizu Highlands Takatsue
11. Onikoube
12. Atada Plateau

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*Information current as of the end of January 2024. Please refer to the official website of each ski resort for details