Summary of recommended ski resorts in Shiga Kogen | Japan's leading giant snowland that takes 3 days to ski

2024/01/31

Japan's largest scale and hot springs, unrivaled in the world

In the olden days, Shiga Kogen was the most representative area in Japan when it came to skiing.

The reason it has been loved for so long throughout history is because it has the elements to satisfy all kinds of people, whether they are for skating or for healing. The most appealing thing about skating is its "incredible scale." The total ski area of the 18 ski resorts is 425 ha. It is large enough to fit 10 Tokyo Disneyland buildings, making it without a doubt the largest in Japan. Unlimited skiing on 84 courses with one common lift ticket! It is by far the best in Japan in terms of scale and reasonable prices.

The top of Yokoteyama Ski Resort is 2,307 meters above sea level, making it the highest mountain in Japan. The snow quality produced by the high altitude and low humidity is famous for its smooth, silky snow. The snow falls quickly, and the long season is attractive, with the business open from mid-November to Golden Week in May.

Speaking of Shiga, it is the hot spring plateau. There are many famous hot springs such as Kuma-no-Yu, Ishi-no-Yu, and Happo-no-Yu. In addition, Jigokudani Monkey Park, said to be the only place in the world where you can see wild Japanese macaques bathing in hot springs, has become an icon that makes Shiga known to the world and attracts skiers from overseas.

Now, let's take a look at what kind of ski resorts there are!

INDEX

Kumanoyu, where you want to repeatedly taste the powder in a short period of time

Photo/Wataru Sugimura Skier/Hidemitsu Okada
Provided by BRAVOSKI

Kumanoyu is well known for its heavy snowfall in Shiga Kogen.

Most of the bowl-shaped ski resorts are on north slopes and are not exposed to direct sunlight, so the snow can stay in good condition for a long time. It is a well-known place among powder freaks. Although it is a compact ski resort, the courses are sloped and have many drop-offs, so you won't get bored easily. Kumanoyu has an "early morning ticket" that allows you to aim for the first track on the empty slopes from 6:00 to 8:30 in the morning, or cut through the shiny grooming barn with turns. Early morning tickets are a good deal at 2,300 yen for adults, and if you add the morning ticket, the price goes up to 7,500 yen.

◆ Official website / https://www.kumanoyu.co.jp/lift/

Recommended video of Kumanoyu Ski Resort

Japan's highest altitude 2307m!
Yokoteyama/Shibutoge where you can ski until the end of May｜YOKOTEYAMA・SHIBUTOGE

Photo/Tatsuya Tayagaki
provided by BRAVOSKI

Yokoteyama Ski Resort is the highest of all ski resorts in Japan. Therefore, the season is long and can be enjoyed until the end of May. An attractive spot for freeriding is the wall of the course that descends from the summit to the bottom. The upper part of the course continues with a undulating forest course, and as you descend to the lower part, the slope becomes gentler and you can ski safely.

Located on the back side of the top of the lift, Shibutoge is a ski resort with a relatively gentle, wide course and an idyllic atmosphere.

The large panorama at the summit is a must-see if you visit Shiga. From the Northern Alps to Mt. Naeba, you can even see Mt. Fuji. However, due to the high altitude, there are many very cold days, so be careful.

◆ Official website / https://yokoteyama2307.com/

■Yokoteyama/Shibutoge ski resort recommended video

Shiga Kogen Central Area

In Shiga Kogen, the following 13 ski resorts are covered under the general name of "Shiga Kogen Central Area".

・Giant ・Happo Bunadaira ・West Tateyama ・Takamagahara Mammoth ・Sun Valley

・Hasuike ・Maruike ・Ichinose Diamond ・Ichinose Family

◆ Official website / https://shigakogen.co.jp/

Recommended video of Shiga Kogen central area

Total length 1km・Maximum slope 34 degrees boasting arms
| GIANT

Photo/Tatsuya Tayagaki Skier/Hidemitsu Okada
Provided by BRAVOSKI

A single slope with a maximum gradient of 34 degrees, which can be said to be the signboard of the giant ski resort, is a FIS-certified course.

Perfectly maintained. It's definitely for advanced players, and its difficulty is giant class. Strong support from alpine skiers. The drop between the steep slope and the gentle slope is steep, so if you are skiing at a good speed, you will get hurt at the boundary, so be careful. It's a great place to train for high-speed turns to hone your ski control technique on steep slopes.

◆ Official website: http://shigakogen.co.jp/highlight/giant

Cruising here with beginners
Buna-daira | HOPPO BUNADAIRA

Three gondolas on the Shiga Kogen Line connect the Hasuikeyama station area to the Higashidateyama summit. To get from Giant Ski Resort to Hatsubo Onsen, use the Bunadaira Gondola.

The Bunadaira Slope is 160m wide and 1,500m wide, with an average slope of 15°, making it perfect for beginners and intermediate skiers to practice. There are many restaurants next to the slopes where you can enjoy a relaxing break.

◆ Official website: http://shigakogen.co.jp/highlight/buna

Nishidateyama is great when the wind is blowing

Photo/Wataru Sugimura Skier/Hidemitsu Okada

Beginner, intermediate, and giant slalom courses are laid out from the top of the mountain, and you can enjoy different speeds.

The Rinkan Course for beginners offers a comfortable skiing through the forest. West Tateyama, which is the counterpart of Higashi Tateyama, is also FIS certified course, so the response is not lost. This is a place that is not affected by the wind so much even when there is strong wind elsewhere. There seems to be a local saying, ``If the wind blows, go to the West Building,'' which is why snow tends to accumulate. The well-balanced course layout from gentle slopes to steep slopes is rich in variation. Surprisingly, it is also a little-known spot because many skiers go to Higashi Tateyama and Terakoya. I want to flow without stopping top to bottom.

◆ Official website: http://shigakogen.co.jp/highlight/nishitateyama

Takamagahara Mammoth | TAKAMAGAHARA

The wide one-ply barn that spreads out in front of you is flat, so it's a pleasant place to speed up and make turns.

With the quad lift in the middle of the ski area, the right side is a compacted snow barn, and the left side is always a bumpy slope. The bumps on one slope are tougher than they look and are worth the challenge. You can access the Higashi Tateyama Ski Resort from the upper part of the ski resort, and the Tanne no Mori Okojo Ski Resort from the middle of the slope.

◆ Official website: http://shigakogen.co.jp/highlight/takamahara

SUNVALLEY｜SUNVALLEY
Even if you can't ski at other places, there is a high possibility that the situation will be good.

Photo/Wataru Sugimura Skier/Yuki Kadota, Tatsuya Tayagaki
Provided by BRAVOSKI

When you come up to Shiga Kogen, the first thing that catches your eye is Sun Valley, the gateway.

Because the altitude is lower than other areas, even if the weather is bad due to wind and snow in the upper part, it is often calm only here. Although it is compact with one course for advanced, intermediate, and beginner, snow tends to accumulate on the right side of the main slope, making it a hidden powder point.

◆ Official website: http://shigakogen.co.jp/highlight/takamahara

Maruike A course, famous for its steepness, must be experienced
Maruike｜MARUIKE

Photo/Takahiro Nakanishi Skier/Yuki Kadota, Tatsuya Tayagaki
Courtesy of BRAVOSKI

The most famous is the Maruike A Course, a steep slope of 32 degrees next to the first lift in Japan.

A place like a dojo for instructors from all over the country. A single line hump also often appears. This is the only fun course you want to hold down. On the other hand, most of the slopes are gentle slopes and there are many beginners and families, so it is a little-known spot for powder hunting the morning after it snows. Deep snow often lingers into the afternoon.

◆ Official website: http://shigakogen.co.jp/highlight/maruike

, a spot friendly to families with children and beginners
｜HASUIKE

Gentle ski courses are ideal for kids and beginners.

The old-fashioned access road to Giant is interesting here. After passing through the tunnel at the bottom of the slope, a road suddenly appears in front of you. So I took off my skis, crossed the road, and headed for the connecting road to Giant on foot. Enjoy a nostalgic feeling that you can't experience anywhere else. From the 2020-21 season, a pulse gondola has been newly installed between Shiga Kogenyama Station and the giant gondola in the Hasuike area, making it more convenient and more enjoyable.

◆ Official website: http://shigakogen.co.jp/highlight/hasuikeski

Snow Park/Kids Park Available
Ichinose Diamond｜ICHINOSE DIAMOND

A representative slope of the Shiga Kogen Ski Resort.

There are attractions such as a snow park and a kids park, and it is always crowded with many families. The rabbit course, which is a detour, has a gentle slope and is often untracked, so powder beginners should aim for it. Seen from the top, the right side of the quad lift is also a fun undulating line.

◆ Official website: http://shigakogen.co.jp/highlight/ichinose_ski

A well-balanced layout of steep and gentle slopes
Ichinose Family｜ICHINOSE FAMILY

The open barn central slope is one of the top 3 wide slopes in Shiga Kogen.

As the name suggests, families with children can enjoy themselves with peace of mind. The Tengu Course, which is famous as a long forest course, has a total length of 3,200m from the summit. The upper part has a moderate slope, so you can ski for a long time while hitting the wall when it's powder. Fun and recommended. Be careful of collisions when there are many people.

◆ Official website: http://shigakogen.co.jp/highlight/ichinosefamily

Access to other ski resorts
Ichinose Yamanokami｜ICHINOSE YAMANOKAMI

Continue skiing from the top of the mountain toward Mt. Yakebitai. On the contrary, the area from Mt. One of the ways to enjoy Shiga Kogen is moving to other areas. Experience the big scale of Shiga Kogen.

◆ Official website: http://shigakogen.co.jp/highlight/yamanokami

you want to enjoy the rich nature of Shiga in a quiet forest
｜TANNENOMORI OKOJO

Atmospheric ski slopes where you can leisurely slide through forests such as Japanese hemlock and white birch in their natural state.

Among Shiga Kogen, which has many hard courses and moderate slopes for beginners, only here has a special atmosphere. For that reason, it is a waste to skip the slopes for beginners. In the natural terrain, take a skiing beginner and slide freely between the trees and enjoy a little tree run feeling.

◆ Official website: http://shigakogen.co.jp/highlight/tanne

Tateyama where you can expect a 1.6km long run and petit pau
| HIGASHIDATEYAMA

Photo/Takahiro Nakanishi
Provided by BRAVOSKI

In the 2022 season, a new café restaurant will open on the summit of Higashi Tateyama with a view of the Northern Alps. A wine corner where you can enjoy local wines and a menu that arranges the cuisine of the European Alps region in a friendly way, and a cafe stand where you can enjoy coffee and light meals on the 1st floor are planned. At the top of the mountain, you can enjoy a superb view with a glass of local wine.

The main course of Higashi Tateyama was the alpine ski giant slalom course during the Nagano Olympics, so the skiing response is outstanding. Hit complex terrain at speed, jump and slide. Fresh snow often piles up on the side of the course, making it one of the best places to aim for powder. The approximately 3.5km forest course has a gentle slope, so you can play as much as you want using the left and right walls!

◆ Official website / http://shigakogen.co.jp/highlight/higashitateyama

Mysterious world
temple hut where pure white snow and superb view interweave｜TERAKOYA

Photo/Wataru Sugimura
provided by BRAVOSKI

Although it is not as high as Mt. Yokote with an altitude of 2,307m, it is characterized by overwhelmingly light snow brought by the altitude of 2,215m, which is the second highest in Shiga Kogen. On sunny days, you will be intoxicated by the beautiful contrast between the clear air, the blue sky, and the pure white snow.

Terakoya has the most unexplored atmosphere in Shiga Kogen and has many die-hard fans. There are many skiers who say, "If you come to Shiga, start from the temple hut first."

◆Official HP/ //shigakogen.co.jp/highlight/terakoya

Yakebitaiyama , the largest scale in Shiga.

Photo/Wataru Sugimura Skier/Tatsuya Tayagaki
Provided by BRAVOSKI

As a single ski resort, it is the largest slope in Shiga Kogen.
The Olympic course has an average slope of 21 degrees and a maximum slope of 30 degrees. If you can monopolize that barn on the fast track, it's the perfect time. And the area with the gondola is recommended. The non-compressed snow zone of the expert course and middle course is also interesting and pleasant because of the varied topography.

It is an uncompacted snow course with a maximum slope of 39 degrees, and its name comes from the fact that when you look up from below, it looks like a wall. When it's snowing, you can enjoy the high-quality powder that is unique to Shiga Kogen, and when it's not snowing, you can enjoy it as a rough slope with plenty of challenges to conquer. Recommended for advanced powder freaks and bump lovers.

◆ Official website: https://www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/shiga/winter/

■ Yakebitaiyama ski resort recommended video

, one of the best powders in Japan for both quality and excitement
｜OKUSHIGA KOGEN

Okushiga, located in the innermost part of the Shiga Highlands, operates only on natural snow. It is a place where snow accumulates and accumulates. That's why it's a must-see for powder lovers.

The most fun course is the downhill course. Then there's Kumatootoshi, a steep slope where you can experience overhead powder snow even on the slopes. From the summit station, we raced downhill and headed for Kumatotoshi. There is a wide variety of courses, including compacted snow, powder, a scenic tree run course, and a long course with a total length of 2.2 km. If you purchase a lift ticket that applies to all 18 ski resorts in Shiga Kogen, you can also ski at the adjacent Mt. Yakebi ski resort.

What's more, Okushiga Kogen Resort is an independent space surrounded by the great nature of Okushiga Kogen, which is said to be a ``unexplored region,'' and one of its great appeals is that you can experience the atmosphere of being at an overseas resort.

◆Official HP／ http://www.okushiga.jp/skiresort/

■ Recommended video of Okushiga Kogen Ski Resort

Altitude 1930m・Unforgettable view and powder
Ryuoo Ski Park｜RYUOO SKI PARK

Ryuoo Ski Park is located in Kitashiga in the Shiga area. The finest powder snow falls, and you can see the Northern Alps and Sado Island in the distance from the ropeway and the SORA terrace halfway up. At an altitude of 1,930m, you can sometimes see a fantastic view of the sun setting behind the sea of clouds. You can enjoy smooth powder snow with no complaints about the quantity and quality of the snow.

The non-compacted snow area where light snow of 100% natural snow piles up is very popular with powder freaks. Among them, the most famous is the "Kiochi Course" with a maximum slope of 36 degrees. The 1,400m uncompacted snow slope faces north, so high-quality snow accumulates. Only advanced skiers are obligated to wear a helmet, so please follow the rules and enjoy skiing.

Snow parks are also popular. A fun-themed park for beginners, with small kickers and boxes lined up so that you can step up and improve. The staff will give you free lessons and even help you take pictures.

◆ Official HP / https://www.ryuoo.com/

[List of ski resorts in the Shiga Kogen/Kita Shiga area]

Bear hot water
Mt. Yokote
Shibuya Pass
giant
Hatsuho Bunadaira
Nishidateyama
Takamagahara Mammoth
sun valley
lotus pond
Maruike
Ichinose Diamond
Ichinose family
Ichinoseyama no Kami
Tanne Forest Stoat
Higashi Tateyama
Terakoya
Mount Yakebitai
Okushiga Kogen
[ North Shiga area ]
Mt.KOSHA X-JAM Takai Fuji
North Shiga Komaruyama
Ryuoo Ski Park
Mt.KOSHA Yomase Onsen

*Information as of the end of January 2024. For details, please refer to the official website of each ski resort.


Top altitude 1,950m	Longest run 1,300m	Elevation difference 260m	Maximum slope 32°


10 courses	5 lifts	Gondola -base	ropeway -book


Top altitude 2,307m	Longest run 4,000m	Elevation difference 602m	Maximum slope 35°


16 courses	8 lifts	Gondola -base	ropeway -book


Top altitude 1,604m	Longest run 1,000m	Elevation difference 263m	Maximum slope 34°

Summary of recommended ski resorts in Shiga Kogen | Japan's leading giant snowland that takes 3 days to ski

Japan's largest scale and hot springs, unrivaled in the world

Kumanoyu, where you want to repeatedly taste the powder in a short period of time

Japan's highest altitude 2307m! Yokoteyama/Shibutoge where you can ski until the end of May｜YOKOTEYAMA・SHIBUTOGE

Shiga Kogen Central Area

Total length 1km・Maximum slope 34 degrees boasting arms | GIANT

Cruising here with beginners Buna-daira | HOPPO BUNADAIRA

Nishidateyama is great when the wind is blowing

Takamagahara Mammoth | TAKAMAGAHARA

SUNVALLEY｜SUNVALLEY Even if you can't ski at other places, there is a high possibility that the situation will be good.

Maruike A course, famous for its steepness, must be experienced Maruike｜MARUIKE

, a spot friendly to families with children and beginners ｜HASUIKE

Snow Park/Kids Park Available Ichinose Diamond｜ICHINOSE DIAMOND

A well-balanced layout of steep and gentle slopes Ichinose Family｜ICHINOSE FAMILY

Access to other ski resorts Ichinose Yamanokami｜ICHINOSE YAMANOKAMI

you want to enjoy the rich nature of Shiga in a quiet forest ｜TANNENOMORI OKOJO

Tateyama where you can expect a 1.6km long run and petit pau | HIGASHIDATEYAMA

Mysterious world temple hut where pure white snow and superb view interweave｜TERAKOYA