Ski Resorts

The home is well positioned for access to a wide range of ski resorts within a short drive. Options range from small, uncrowded local hills to large, internationally recognised resorts, offering terrain for beginners through to advanced skiers and snowboarders.

With reliable snowfall, varied terrain, and several distinct resort styles nearby, it’s easy to choose the right mountain for the conditions and the group.

🎿 Kijimadaira Ski Resort

(Snow Resort The Cupid of Romance)

Drive time: ~5–7 minutes
Lifts: ~8 chairlifts
Runs: ~20
Vertical: ~650 m

Overview:
Kijimadaira Ski Resort, officially known as Snow Resort The Cupid of Romance, is the true local hill. Quiet, uncrowded, and very close to the house, it’s ideal for families, kids, and relaxed ski days.

The terrain is mostly gentle to intermediate, with some steeper sections and tree lines that can hold fresh snow after storms. It’s not a destination mountain, but it offers easy laps and a very local feel.

Why ski here:
Convenience, low crowds, and family-friendly terrain.

🎿 Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort

Drive time: ~20–25 minutes
Lifts: 19 (including 2 gondolas)
Runs: ~50
Vertical: 1,085 m

Overview:
Nozawa Onsen combines a large, snow-reliable mountain with one of Japan’s most iconic onsen villages. The resort offers long groomed runs, moguls, and steep off-piste and sidecountry terrain, making it best suited to beginners and advanced skiers. Snowfall is consistent and deep, especially in January.

Why ski here:
Big vertical, reliable snow, and an outstanding onsen village.

🎿 Madarao Mountain Resort

Drive time: ~35–40 minutes
Lifts: 9
Runs: 30
Vertical: ~440 m

Overview:
Madarao is a well-known powder playground, famous for deep snowfall and some of the best tree skiing in the region. With average seasonal snowfall around 10–13 metres and a northerly aspect, fresh snow days are common. The terrain is compact but varied, and the resort is interconnected with Tangram for added variety.

Why ski here:
Tree skiing, powder days, and a relaxed, international-friendly vibe.

🎿 Togari Onsen Ski Resort

Drive time: ~15–20 minutes
Lifts: 4
Runs: ~13
Vertical: ~650 m

Overview:
Togari Onsen is a quiet, no-frills ski resort that comes into its own on cold powder days. Smaller and less crowded than nearby Nozawa, it often delivers fresh lines when bigger resorts are busy. Off-piste riding is generally well tolerated, with short steeps, tree sections, and hike-to terrain.

Togari is also home to Yuki-Chari, the world’s first snow fat-bike experience, which is beginner- and family-friendly. The resort is fully cashless, with food, rentals, and onsens paid by phone or card.

Why ski here:
Low crowds, good powder on the right days, and unique snow biking.

🎿 Shiga Kogen Ski Resort

Drive time: ~50–60 minutes
Lifts: 50+ across interconnected areas
Runs: 80+
Vertical: ~1,000 m+

Overview:
Shiga Kogen is Japan’s largest interconnected ski area and the highest major resort in the country, delivering consistently cold temperatures and reliable snow. Spread across 18 linked ski areas, it offers long cruisers, excellent intermediate terrain, and quieter off-piste zones with low competition for fresh snow.

The resort has a distinctly Japanese feel, with ski-in ski-out hotels rather than a central village, and very limited nightlife.

Why ski here:
Huge scale, excellent snow quality, and outstanding intermediate skiing.