A summary of recommended ski resorts in Chukyo and Kansai | A collection of unique resorts with plenty of powdery snow during the peak season

2024/01/31

Of the three prefectures of Gifu, Aichi, and Mie that make up the Chukyo region, Gifu Prefecture has about 15 ski resorts. Most of Gifu's ski resorts are located in the Oku-Mino area, and are scattered throughout the mountains surrounding the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway. Let's take a look at what kind of ski resorts they are!

The Okumino area is full of unique features that will make you want to ski around

During the peak season, you can enjoy powder riding on the soft, smooth snow, but the ski resorts in the Oku-Mino area are well-positioned to ensure a long season by making good use of artificial snow

Each ski resort offers a wide variety of options, including plenty of ungroomed areas, long courses where you can enjoy high-speed carving turns, exciting mogul courses, and highly functional parks where everyone from beginners to advanced skiers can improve their skills.As a competitive ski resort area, the Oku-Mino area's ski resorts are all unique and appealing

INDEX

[Ski Resorts in the Chukyo Area]
Okumino, Easily Accessible from Nagoya

Packed with fun and excitement, all in one lift!
SNOWWAVE PARK SHIRATORI KOGEN

The resort was one of the first to introduce the latest ice crushing system, opening with artificial snow in mid-November, a groundbreaking season-in. Known for its secret heavy snowfall, this area frequently experiences torrential downpours, or rather, sudden snowfalls, offering the promise of deep powder.

The resort's unique feature, the lack of course restrictions on the slopes, allows skiers to ski anywhere, even under the lifts, a great deal of freedom and a delightful attraction for skiers. The natural terrain is rich and uneven, with plenty of steep slopes and gaps. The resort's boasts large natural streams and waves, which are the backdrop for the name "Snow Wave Park." The entire slope truly feels like a gigantic park.

And yet, the park itself is incredibly well-equipped, with over 20 different items during the peak season. The large kicker is a particular favorite. It also boasts Japan's longest sledding course, stretching 2 kilometers. Packed with so much fun, this ski resort is truly unique.

◆Official website: http://www.siratori-k.jp/swp/

Winghills Shiratori Resort has everything: moguls, ungroomed areas, and parks.

Even among the many ski resorts in the Oku-Mino area, Wing Hills boasts a particularly sophisticated and vibrant atmosphere. Behind this is the famed shop "Alpen," which provides a wide range of services tailored to modern needs. The resort's

ice-crushing system (snow machine) allows the season to begin in early November. Its highly maneuverable six-person gondolas, high-quality parks, natural hot springs at the base, and a panoramic restaurant at an altitude of 1,000 meters, as well as the impressive quality and quantity of rental gear, boast an impressive selection of 2,000 items, primarily the latest models.

The slopes are split into three courses, starting with the gondola that takes you straight to the top. The lineup also includes a 2.8km downhill course, a full-scale mogul course, and ungroomed courses offering renowned powder snow. Last season, a ski-at-your-own-risk area was introduced, making this an astonishingly cutting-edge ski resort that continues to evolve with each season.

◆Official website: https://winghills.net/snow/

Dynaland: Japan's longest operating hours - ski until 11pm every night at "Yorudaina"

Dynaland boasts a total of 17 courses, making it one of the largest in western Japan. Along with Takasu Snow Park, which connects to it at the summit, it's known for being bustling from morning until night during the season.

The reason for this is its famous night skiing, "Yorudaina," which is open until 11pm every day. It's one of the best places in Japan for a whopping 2,800m of nighttime long rides. And on weekends, national holidays, and the New Year's holiday, "Asadaina" is open from 6am. Combining morning and night skiing hours, it's the longest in Japan, with a maximum of 17 hours. It's not just the longest hours, but also the longest run of 3,200m, making it an impressive sight.

The courses make the most of the terrain, offering a wide variety of courses, including a newly built tree run course, moguls, downhill, and park.

◆Official website: https://www.dynaland.co.jp/

Enjoy double the scale
of Takasu Snow Park with a combined ticket with Dynaland | TAKASU SNOWPARK

With an altitude of 1,550m, the snow quality is excellent, making this a ski resort that powder lovers will love. You can also use a combined ticket to ski at Dynaland, which is connected to the top of the slope. Takasu Snow Park is on a scale comparable to Dynaland, so you can freely move between the two big slopes, doubling the fun

Its longest run is 4,800m, and there are two other long runs over 4,000m, making it perfect for enjoying long cruises. A 2,700m-long, 15-passenger gondola takes you to the top of the slope at an elevation of 1,550m, so even on bad weather you can enjoy gliding around in the gondola without feeling cold.

Takasu Snow Park is also expanding its ungroomed runs every year. You can enjoy powder to your heart's content on the tree run course on the north-facing slope. For those who like to jump, the snow park is popular for its wide range of equipment, including a super pipe that is approximately 120m long and 7m high, which meets world standards.

◆Official website: https://www.takasu.gr.jp/

Meiho, the largest panoramic view in Oku-Mino at an altitude of 1,600m

At 1,600 meters, Meiho Ski Resort is the highest in the Oku-Mino area. From the summit, you can enjoy panoramic views of the majestic Northern Alps and the Hakusan mountain range.

While 80% of the 14 runs are beginner-intermediate level, there's plenty of variety, including a steep 38-degree slope, a long run with a maximum run length of 5,000 meters, a forest run over 1,000 meters long, and a wide run up to 200 meters wide. Another convenient feature is the ability to efficiently navigate the course with a high-speed quad.

The photo shows the advanced "γ900." The 900-meter run from the summit has a maximum slope of 34 degrees. Enjoy powder the morning after a snowfall, or a long, natural mogul run if it doesn't snow. It's said to be rare to find such a long, mogul-filled slope.

◆Official website: https://www.meihoski.co.jp/winter/

Saturday nights are all-night and the scale is big!
Washigatake | WASHIGATAKE

The 35-degree wall on the advanced course is so scary it's nicknamed "Sadako."

Just three minutes from Takasu IC on the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway, Washigatake Ski Resort is conveniently located, allowing you to arrive without having to drive on snowy roads. A large number of snow machines are in use, ensuring stable conditions even in snow-deficient seasons.

Washigatake is famous for its all-night Saturday runs, the only place in Gifu Prefecture that operates non-stop long runs from 6am until 6pm the following day. One of the largest parks in the area, it's also popular with many repeat visitors from high-speed skiers and snowboarders.

There are 13 courses in total, with a wide, 400m-wide runway offering a sense of openness. Of the five lifts, three are quad lifts, offering excellent mobility. The forest courses and long courses for advanced skiers are also popular. A combined lift ticket also allows you to ski at the neighboring White Pier Takasu. With 26 courses, it's one of the largest in western Japan.

◆Official website: https://ski.washigatake.jp/

[Kansai Area]
Ski resorts in Shiga and Hyogo prefectures

Lake view of Biwako Valley, the No. 1 ski slope in the Keihanshin area
| BIWAKO-VALLEY

Easily accessible, just 40 minutes from Kyoto Higashi IC, Biwako Valley is by far the most popular resort in the Keihanshin area. The reason for its popularity is its beautiful location, offering views of Lake Biwa while enjoying exhilarating riding. Furthermore, the resort supplements natural snow with artificial snow, maintaining abundant snowfall and consistent snow quality throughout the season.

The slopes are laid out in nine courses, with a ropeway leading directly from the bottom to the summit. Six of the nine courses are long , making for a challenging experience. Experience a wide variety of courses, including natural mogul runs, tree runs through beautiful forests, and even ungroomed runs open during snowfall. One

popular spot that makes Biwako Valley a "must-visit" spot is Biwako Terrace, located at the summit at an elevation of 1,000 meters. This designer space exudes a luxurious European resort vibe, and its deck offers breathtaking views of Lake Biwa, the best in Japan.

◆Official website: https://www.biwako-valley.com/winter/

GRANSNOW OKUIBUKI as the most popular ski resort in Japan!

Located just 50 minutes from Nagoya, 80 minutes from Kyoto, and 100 minutes from Osaka, it's also just 30 minutes from the highway for those who drive in the Kansai and Chubu regions, making it the perfect place for a day trip. The mega-sized parking lot can accommodate 2,700 cars, and there's even an elevator that takes you directly to the slopes, making transportation from the parking lot a breeze.

The slopes have a deep course layout, offering a variety of free skiing experiences, including powder, steep slopes, and long runs. Of the 14 courses, there are four expert runs, and one reserved for skiers. With a steep slope boasting a maximum gradient of 46 degrees, which is said to be the steepest in Japan, ungroomed runs, tree runs through beech forests, a mogul run that has even given rise to an Olympia ski resort, and of course a snow park, it's a truly diverse resort with plenty to choose from to suit your level and preferences.

On clear days, you can enjoy beautiful views of Mt. Mitake and the Hakuba Mountain Range in the distance. The resort also offers live DJ performances on the slopes, creating a happy atmosphere, and a variety of special discount days. It's no wonder that the resort is ranked number one in Japan for popularity (according to Weathernews ' 2020-21 national ski resort popularity ranking).

◆Official website: okuibuki.co.jp

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


Top elevation 1,276m	Longest run: 2,500m	Altitude difference 176m	maximum slope 29°


11 courses	3 lifts	Gondola - Unit	Ropeway - Book


Top elevation 1,350m	The longest run is 3,500m	Altitude difference 480m	maximum slope 35°


9 courses	3 lifts	1 gondola	Ropeway - Book


Top elevation 1,430m	The longest run is 3,200m	Elevation difference: 447m	maximum slope 38°

A summary of recommended ski resorts in Chukyo and Kansai | A collection of unique resorts with plenty of powdery snow during the peak season

[Ski Resorts in the Chukyo Area] Okumino, Easily Accessible from Nagoya

Packed with fun and excitement, all in one lift! SNOWWAVE PARK SHIRATORI KOGEN