Shiga Kogen has supported the tradition and image of Japan's ski scene. The 18 ski resorts that make up Shiga Kogen have a total skiable area of an astounding 425 hectares. This is the size of 10 Tokyo Disneylands, making it undoubtedly the largest in Japan, with 84 runs spread across the vast fields. You can ski all you want with a single common lift ticket. Also, because Shiga Kogen is located inland compared to the Myoko and Yuzawa areas in the Shinetsu region, it does not receive as much snowfall, but the snow is of high quality and with little humidity. Here we introduce the ski resorts and famous runs where you can enjoy Shiga Kogen's powder to the fullest
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Okushiga Kogen Ski Resort
The Shiga area stands out for its powder quality and scale
Skier: Naoto Kono Photo: Daniel Honda
Okushiga, located at the very back of Shiga Kogen, is one of the few ski resorts in Shiga Kogen that operates solely on natural snow. This is an area where a huge amount of snow falls and accumulates. That's why it's a paradise for powder lovers. Even within the slopes, there is a wide variety of slopes, including steep, ungroomed slopes where you can enjoy overhead powder after a snowfall, scenic runs where you can do some beautiful tree riding, and a snow park with a long 2.2km course. Come and enjoy the natural beauty and grand scale of Shiga
A joint season pass for both Okushiga Kogen Ski Resort and Yakebitaiyama Ski Resort is also on sale for the 2022-2023 season, so it's great to be able to enjoy both resorts at the same time
The famous powder course at Okushiga Kogen Ski Resort
・Downhill course
Maximum gradient: 28 degrees, average gradient: 19 degrees / Distance: 2,200m / Slope orientation: East
This is a famous course in Okushiga that starts from the end of the Okushiga Gondola and offers a long run of 2,200m in length. The upper part is intermediate level, but it becomes steeper halfway through, and the course has many variations. If you slip between the trees on both sides of the course, you can get a feel for tree running. Freeriders say it is the most fun course in Okushiga
・Second Expert
Maximum gradient: 30 degrees, average gradient: 23 degrees / Distance: 630m / Slope orientation: Northeast
The ski resort's signature course, easily accessible from the Okushiga Kogen Hotel side, is a steep, single-slope run for intermediate and advanced skiers. As it is usually groomed, it's also great for taking on the steep slopes with a maximum gradient of 30 degrees while making spectacular turns on carving skis
Although the slope changes slightly in the middle, the steep, single, vertical run is plenty challenging. The slope on the skier's left, the slope on the lift side, is always ungroomed, so it's prone to unevenness. Enjoy freeriding. The right side has more groomed snow than the center, so it's great to drop your skis vertically and make speedy turns
・Bear Killing Course
Maximum gradient: 30 degrees, average gradient: 20 degrees / Distance: 400m / Slope orientation: South
This is the steepest, ungroomed, advanced course in Okushiga. It is a slope that leads to skiers' right in the middle of the downhill course. It is surrounded by trees on both sides and is not very wide. The course peaks in the middle and slopes down to both ends, making for thrilling riding when dropped vertically
Skier's Right has a number of drop-offs and jumping points, while Skier's Left has gentler terrain that is easier to hit towards the end of the course
some of the best snow quality in Honshu and run in a beautiful coniferous forest
As a single ski resort, Mt. Yakebitai is the largest in Shiga Kogen. Furthermore, its snow quality is highly regarded as some of the best in Honshu. It offers a "first track" system that allows you to fully enjoy the powder, and it also has ungroomed runs, making it overwhelmingly popular among freeriders within Shiga Kogen. Its beautiful scenery is also appealing. 16 runs are laid out so that a beautiful coniferous forest envelops the slopes, and the tree runs are also a great experience. The
Shiga Kogen Prince Hotel's East, South, and West buildings are located at the base of the slopes. This high-spec resort combines skiing with sophisticated resort stays.
Shiga Kogen Yakebitaiyama Ski Resort's famous powder course
・Yakebi Wall
Maximum gradient: 39 degrees, average gradient: 32 degrees / Distance: 369m / Slope orientation: Northeast
Yakebi Wall is a famous course that has made Mt. Yakebi famous among freeriders. It is an ungroomed course with a maximum gradient of 39 degrees, and when viewed from below, it looks like a towering wall, hence the name
The gentle approach followed by a sudden drop in the slope is thrilling. When it snows, you can enjoy the finest powder snow that only Mt. Yakebitai can offer in steep and deep sections, and when there is no snow, it can be enjoyed as a challenging, uneven slope
・Middle
Maximum gradient: 21 degrees, average gradient: 19 degrees / Distance: 329m / Slope orientation: Northeast
This is a hidden gem of powder (uncompressed snow) course on Mt. Yakebitai. With few visitors, it's a hidden gem where you can enjoy powder even at relatively late hours
Maximum gradient: 27 degrees, average gradient: 10 degrees / Distance: 1208m / Slope orientation: Northeast
This is an extremely popular advanced course as it runs through a gondola line. After a snowfall, the entire slope is covered in powder snow, and at all times, the slope is mainly steep with a maximum gradient of 27 degrees, but is partially ungroomed. After a snowfall, you can slide down and dive into the powder, doubling the fun
Maximum gradient: 25 degrees, average gradient: 12 degrees / Distance: 2062m / Slope orientation: Northeast
Enjoy the powder on the steep slopes while viewing the beautiful coniferous forest that symbolizes Shiga Kogen. The long course is over 2km long, so the challenge is incredible. There is an ungroomed section in the middle of the long line, and you can enjoy powder tree runs along the side of the course
"DESCENTE First Track" is a regular event at Shiga Kogen Yakebitaiyama Ski Resort, where you can enjoy "no-track & groomed runs" that no one has yet skied. Which snow quality is best, groomed or powder? In either case, the best time is first thing in the morning. "First Track" is when you carve your own tracks on a run that no one has yet skied. The thrill is a special experience that is hard to replace. This season, we plan to ski the A4 Olympic course and the A1 Giant Slalom course. No reservations are required; purchase your tickets the morning of the day
*Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 2023 to March 26th (Sunday) *Cancelled on February 23rd (Thursday, national holiday) and March 21st (Tuesday, national holiday) *For more information, click here
Smooth, smooth powder guaranteed at an altitude of 1,930m
Ryuo Ski Park is located in Kita-Shiga in the Shiga area. With an elevation of 1,930m, it offers a spectacular view of the Northern Alps and even Sado Island from the ropeway or the SORA terrace midway up the mountain. The beautiful scenery is famous, and you can sometimes see the sun sink into a sea of clouds
Powder lovers should head to the Kiotoshi Course first thing in the morning by ropeway. This is Ryuo's pride and joy, a popular course for powder lovers, where you can enjoy the smooth powder snow guaranteed by the high altitude. Helmets are mandatory. You can enjoy skiing all day, taking breaks at the SORA terrace cafe at the ropeway summit station. The snow park is also popular, with a fun-themed theme featuring small kickers and boxes, designed to help beginners improve their skills
Ryuo Ski Park's famous powder course
・Tree felling course b
Maximum gradient: 36 degrees / Average gradient: 23 degrees / Distance: 1,320 m / Slope facing: North
Ryuo's famous course, Kiotoshi, which can be accessed from the ropeway summit station, is an ungroomed course for advanced skiers that branches into three routes, B, C, and E. Course B is the longest of the three. With a maximum gradient of 36 degrees and a north-facing slope, it accumulates high-quality powder. You can enjoy an ultra-long run of 1,300 meters through the valley terrain. Course conditions vary depending on the weather, and you can expect deep powder after snowfall
・Tree felling course c
Maximum gradient: 36 degrees / Average gradient: 23 degrees / Distance: 1,172 m / Slope facing: North
Course c starts off to the right from the ropeway summit station, passes under the ropeway and flows into course b in the latter half. This is also a long course, and after snowfall, the snow is so deep that overhead spray can be seen. After snowfall, you can spin around the three courses b, C and e, creating a powder paradise where you can ski as much as you want
・Skyland A Course
Maximum gradient: 19 degrees / Average gradient: 8 degrees / Distance: 1,370 m / Slope facing: North
Located at an altitude of 1,930m, the Skyland Area is a forest course surrounded by frost-covered trees. The high altitude also makes it a powder zone guaranteed to have high-quality powder. Among these, the Skyland A Course has many gentle slopes with an average gradient of 8 degrees, allowing you to leisurely enjoy the dry powder that is unique to inland areas on a long 1,370m course. Perfect for powder beginners
