Okushiga Kogen Resort ['25-26]

located at the very back of Shiga

ski resorts in Shiga Kogen that operates solely on natural snow. This is the area where a huge amount of snow falls and accumulates. With an impressive base elevation of 1,500m and a peak elevation of 2,000m, and ideal conditions on a northeastern slope, you can be sure to enjoy powder snow.

Even within the slopes, there is a wide variety of terrain, from steep, ungroomed slopes where you can enjoy dry powder overhead after a snowfall, to scenic runs where you can do some beautiful tree riding, to a long 2.2km run. A connecting walkway also leads to the adjacent Yakebitaiyama Ski Resort, and if you purchase a common lift ticket for all 18 ski resorts in Shiga Kogen, you can ski at both. Enjoy the natural beauty and vast scale of Okushiga

"Mt.3 PASS" - Ski to your heart's content at three ski resorts: Okushiga, Yakebitaiyama, and Madarao

Located in the innermost part of Shiga Kogen, Okushiga Kogen Resort is charming with its tranquil nature and natural snow. Shiga Kogen Yakebitaiyama Ski Resort is the largest in Shiga Kogen and has a wide selection of ungroomed runs. Madarao Kogen Ski Resort boasts high-quality powder known as "Madapow." The Mt. 3 PASS, a season pass that allows you to freely travel between these three attractive resorts in Nagano Prefecture, is now on sale. On sale until January 31, 2026. Adults cost 85,000 yen.

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

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

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 run that runs straight vertically is plenty challenging to ski down. The slope on the skier's left and 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