Located inland and at high altitudes, the Shinetsu area's ski resorts offer dry, powdery snow that doesn't contain much moisture due to the low temperatures. Nagano Prefecture is also divided into many small mountain ranges, resulting in a rich and undulating terrain, making it particularly rich in natural topography. Many of the ski resorts have courses that allow you to experience the fascinating natural terrain, and there is a wide variety of slopes. What's more, the unique "hometown" atmosphere of Shinetsu adds to the enjoyment of your trip. Let's take a look at the powder fields in the Shinetsu area
Photo:Daniel Honda Skier:Naoto Kono
Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort
The deep snow in the Yamabiko area is amazing! Powder riding on a variety of courses
Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort is a hot spring town brimming with Japanese atmosphere and boasts one of the largest ski resorts in Japan. It receives a large amount of snow throughout the season and boasts 36 runs that will satisfy everyone from families to beginners and advanced skiers. The difference in elevation from the summit to the bottom is 1,085m, and the skiable area is one of the largest for a single ski resort in Japan. The ski lifts are cleverly positioned, allowing you to efficiently access the various runs
The ungroomed zone in the Yamabiko area at the top of the mountain is a fascinating zone for lovers of deep snow, where you can enjoy a tree run among beautiful trees including beech and birch
Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort's famous powder course
・Yamabiko B Course
Maximum gradient: 33 degrees, average gradient: 17 degrees / Distance: 800m / Slope orientation: -
The Yamabiko area, which stretches from an altitude of 1,400m to 1,650m, has excellent snow quality, with 1m of fresh snow sometimes piling up overnight! Yamabiko Course B is a gentle, ungroomed course. There are also many spots along the course where you can enjoy deep snow. When there is no fresh snow, you can enjoy comfortable carving with good edge hold at high speeds while enjoying the moderately changing slopes
・Challenge 39° Wall
Maximum gradient: 39 degrees Distance: 300m / Slope orientation: -
This slope boasts the steepest gradient in Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort at 39°, so steep that you can't see the middle of the slope from the entrance! After snowfall, the overhead spray creates a must-see for powder lovers
・Kurokura Course
Maximum gradient: 37 degrees, average gradient: 28 degrees / Distance: 550m / Slope orientation: -
To the right of the entrance to the Ushikubi course, this course runs down towards the Hikage slope. The first half is narrow, but the width widens towards the second half, allowing you to choose your course freely. After snowfall, you can connect the top of the Nagasaka Gondola to the Minashi slope and then the Kurokura course for a hidden powder run
・Utopia
Maximum gradient: 32 degrees, average gradient: 20 degrees / Distance: 400m / Slope orientation: -
This trail is not long, but it has a steep slope, making it popular with advanced skiers. Because the trail is wide, there are often no tracks left on either side of the trail even in the afternoon. After a snowfall, you can enjoy a steep and deep powder ride
◆Official website: https://nozawaski.com/
Madarao Kogen Ski Resort
The Endless Appeal of "Madapow"
Madarao Kogen is a popular ski resort that represents the snow-heavy Shinetsu region. Although it is located at an altitude of 1,305m, high-quality snow falls constantly and the excellent conditions are maintained, allowing you to enjoy plenty of powder. The quality and quantity of this powder is called "Madapow," and many fans return regularly just to enjoy the powder
Madarao Kogen is also attractive for its course layout that makes use of the undulating natural terrain. In particular, the number of tree run courses is ranked among the best in Japan. The variety of courses is impressive, and it is often called the most exciting tree run in Japan. Another advantage is the long powder skiing. The excellent environment for powder and freeriding is in place, and its diverse appeal is endless
The famous powder course at Madarao Kogen
・Powder wave II
Maximum gradient: 35 degrees, average gradient: 24 degrees / Distance: 1500m / Slope orientation: North
This is a long-distance tree run course in a moderately thinned forest. The course is wide, and depending on your line, you can hit no-track powder. Access is via Adventure Isle, which runs from Lift 13 and passes through one of Madarao's most spectacular views
・World Cup
Maximum gradient: 35 degrees, average gradient: 27 degrees / Distance: 1000m / Slope orientation: Northeast
Accessible from the first Super Quad lift to operate, this course offers the chance to get the first track in the morning. With a maximum gradient of 35 degrees and steepness, it offers a long, 1000m powder ride. This challenging course was previously the site of the Mogul World Cup
・Powder line
Maximum gradient: 35 degrees, average gradient: 26 degrees / Distance: 1000m / Slope orientation: North
This ungroomed course stretches out beyond Adventure Isle, between Powder Theater and Powder Wave II. If you go right at the fork at the bottom, you'll reach Lift 13, while if you go left, you'll reach the tree run course "NINJA." It's fun to scatter deep powder on the open runs, or sneak into the tree run areas on both sides, carefully planning your run
・SAWA
The combination of powder and natural banked terrain allows you to enjoy a fun and physical experience of gliding. The stream-like banks are filled with powder. This course is a symbol of the rich terrain of Madarao. Once you enter the course, you can slide rhythmically from left to right like a pendulum, following the natural terrain that comes at you like waves
◆Official website: http://www.madarao.jp/ski
YAMABOKU Wild Snow Park
Exclusive private area with ungroomed snow for a limited number of people! Plenty of powder too
YAMABOKU Wild Snow Park is located in a corner of Shiga Kogen UNESCO Ecopark, on the southern slope of Mt. Kasagatake, which is 2,076 meters above sea level. The slopes are quite high, at 1,500 to 1,700 meters above sea level, so they are covered in light, natural powder snow, and 70% of the slopes are ungroomed, making it an amazing powder paradise
It has long been enthusiastically supported by snowboarders and has a strong image of being a snowboarding spot, but in fact it also has a variety of courses that will inspire skiers to take on the challenge, such as the Lucky Tyrol and Pepi Innsbruck courses, with steep slopes of up to 38 degrees, tough slopes where you slide down snow cornices created by snowstorms, advanced courses that slide down tight forest trails, and technical courses where you ski while conquering changing terrain. For freeskiers, it is a fresh, hidden powder spot
The snow is ungroomed everywhere, so just skiing on the powder slopes is satisfying, but there are also a variety of programs available that take full advantage of this favorable environment and allow you to enjoy the powder in an even more aggressive way
Yamaboku Wild Snow Park's famous powder course
2nd STAGE
The "2nd Stage" is a program that opens up Yamaboku's special, completely ungroomed private area, the 2nd Stage, located behind the ridge of the 1st Stage (Yamada Ranch's main slope), on limited days and by reservation only, for a limited number of 30 people
You approach the slope via the 2nd and 3rd pair lifts of the 1st stage, and after skiing down you are transported by snowmobile to the middle of the 1st stage panoramic course. Before skiing down, you receive an orientation from a guide on important points to note and course information, and then you can ski freely until the end time, with free drinks provided. With a guide accompanying you, you can enjoy skiing safely and securely, and although it is off-piste, backcountry equipment (beacons, shovels, probes) is not required, making it a convenient experience
Event period: Every Saturday from January 8th (Sun) to February 26th (Sun), 2023.
Fee: 8,500 yen (lift ticket not included, 5,000 yen for early bird season pass holders).
Capacity: 30 people.
+PLUS Special Cat Program
Yamaboku's special powder area, with its beautiful ranch scenery, is a completely ungroomed private area known as the 2nd stage, where you can ski on a CAT (snow vehicle) (limited time, limited to 10 people, reservation required). A guide will explain the important points to note and show you the course, after which you can ski freely until the end, finishing with a run on the Takochi course. Lunch is included, making this a very satisfying program
Event period: Every Saturday from January 7th (Sat) to February 25th (Sat), 2023.
Fee: 19,000 yen (lift ticket not included, 17,000 yen for early bird season pass holders). Capacity: 10 people.
◆Official website: https://yamaboku.co.jp/