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On this trip we are headed to Niigata to try our hand at skiing in powder in the Myoko area. Trip departs Friday night from Ikebukuro station. 2 nights lodging, Sunday breakfast, and 2 days lift tickets are included in trip fee.
Actual resorts and days will be dependent on snow conditions. If we head to Seki Onsen or Akakura Onsen, then we are also happy to take anyone who prefers to Myoko Suginohara on those day(s). We have 4 resorts as options and we will choose based on the weather and everyone's ability and preferences.
Akakura Onsen
At Akakura Onsen Ski Resort skiers can enjoy a 4 kilometre run from the top of the hill starting at 1,500 metres+. Or you can do whatever else fits your skills and interests: powder skiing, moguls, terrain parks, hit the trees or just fun family cruising. Slalom races are held in February and March, with entry available to anyone.
There is a nice selection of restaurants scattered over the mountain and in the village. At the foot of the mountain is an onsen spa town where steam and the scent of hot springs fill the air – the perfect place to enjoy a traditional Japan apres experience. Below the resort a grand panorama spreads out, offering beautiful views of Lake Nojiri and, in the distance, the Sea of Japan.
Seki Onsen
One review stated Seki Onsen as, “a resort which understands the needs of the powder hounds” in an area that, “…can provide Japan’s best powder snow skiing”. The appeal of Seki Onsen Ski Resort (関温泉スキー場), open as late as May, is its soft and pure powder snow. In January 2008 Seki Onsen was Japan’s only resort represented in the Travel Channel’s “Skiers World” series. The resort is owned and run by a local family and the home ski area for Masanori Takeuchi – a well-known Japanese snowboarder. Little grooming of the slopes is done, if at all. There are only two small lifts. Off Piste and Back Country are no problem at this resort, but you need to be prepared for the conditions and do not head out of bounds alone.
**If snow conditions are less than ideal then heading to a larger resort is the plan and we have chosen the following as backups.
Myoko Suginohara
Myoko Suginohara Ski Resort (妙高杉ノ原スキー場) rates highly amongst the legions of ski slopes in Japan with beautiful views of the lakes on the plain below. Suginohara is recommended for those who like long cruisy trails because it possesses the longest ski run in Japan at around a massive 8.5 km.
It boasts many varied slopes, great snow, short ski lift lines, and a halfpipe for snowboarders. Covering 1124 metres in vertical drop Myoko Suginohara dishes up a diverse range of ski trails with plenty of easy, mid-level runs as well as long downhill trails suitable for beginners. The ski lifts at Suginohara ski resort transport riders up to 3 km in one stretch, and it has three connecting lines of quad lifts that can carry skiers to the peak. There are 15 ski lifts in total, with a capacity to lift 16,000 people per hour. The upper reaches of the Suginohara ski slopes have premium snow quality and a magnificent view, even of Mount Fuji on a clear day. There are some ungroomed slopes and plenty of tree areas to jump into some powder.
Madarao
At Madarao, 60% of the courses are ungroomed, so there’s a good chance that you’ll be able to enjoy a fluffy, deep powder when you ski. Also, since not as many people as you might think like to ski on untouched powder, there is not a lot of competition for the slopes! Mt. Madarao stands 1382 meters tall and has 30 separate courses. There are 15 ski lifts at the resort. The ski area features a unique bowl-shape. Since Madarao was host to Japan’s first Freestyle Skiing Competition, there are many unique courses to choose from. There are groomed courses, ungroomed courses, the Tree Run courses, Free Ride Park, Kid’s Park, and wave courses - Madarao can be enjoyed by everyone from first timers to advanced skiers!
Lodging
Friday and Saturday nights we will be staying at a local cabin style guesthouse featuring a nice cafe and bar, Guesthouse Lamp. You can order what you want for dinner, and a great selection of local beer and sake are available for a very reasonable price. Breakfast features farm fresh eggs and bacon with toast and salad among other sides.
Ski / Snowboard Rentals:
We can arrange for a ski and snowboard set to be delivered to the ski resort and rental prices cost between 2000~3000 yen per day for board and boots set depending on the quality level.
*Trip departs Friday night from Ikebukuro station
Actual resorts and days will be dependent on snow conditions. If we head to Seki Onsen or Akakura Onsen, then we are also happy to take anyone who prefers to Myoko Suginohara on those day(s). We have 4 resorts as options and we will choose based on the weather and everyone's ability and preferences.
Akakura Onsen
At Akakura Onsen Ski Resort skiers can enjoy a 4 kilometre run from the top of the hill starting at 1,500 metres+. Or you can do whatever else fits your skills and interests: powder skiing, moguls, terrain parks, hit the trees or just fun family cruising. Slalom races are held in February and March, with entry available to anyone.
There is a nice selection of restaurants scattered over the mountain and in the village. At the foot of the mountain is an onsen spa town where steam and the scent of hot springs fill the air – the perfect place to enjoy a traditional Japan apres experience. Below the resort a grand panorama spreads out, offering beautiful views of Lake Nojiri and, in the distance, the Sea of Japan.
Seki Onsen
One review stated Seki Onsen as, “a resort which understands the needs of the powder hounds” in an area that, “…can provide Japan’s best powder snow skiing”. The appeal of Seki Onsen Ski Resort (関温泉スキー場), open as late as May, is its soft and pure powder snow. In January 2008 Seki Onsen was Japan’s only resort represented in the Travel Channel’s “Skiers World” series. The resort is owned and run by a local family and the home ski area for Masanori Takeuchi – a well-known Japanese snowboarder. Little grooming of the slopes is done, if at all. There are only two small lifts. Off Piste and Back Country are no problem at this resort, but you need to be prepared for the conditions and do not head out of bounds alone.
**If snow conditions are less than ideal then heading to a larger resort is the plan and we have chosen the following as backups.
Myoko Suginohara
Myoko Suginohara Ski Resort (妙高杉ノ原スキー場) rates highly amongst the legions of ski slopes in Japan with beautiful views of the lakes on the plain below. Suginohara is recommended for those who like long cruisy trails because it possesses the longest ski run in Japan at around a massive 8.5 km.
It boasts many varied slopes, great snow, short ski lift lines, and a halfpipe for snowboarders. Covering 1124 metres in vertical drop Myoko Suginohara dishes up a diverse range of ski trails with plenty of easy, mid-level runs as well as long downhill trails suitable for beginners. The ski lifts at Suginohara ski resort transport riders up to 3 km in one stretch, and it has three connecting lines of quad lifts that can carry skiers to the peak. There are 15 ski lifts in total, with a capacity to lift 16,000 people per hour. The upper reaches of the Suginohara ski slopes have premium snow quality and a magnificent view, even of Mount Fuji on a clear day. There are some ungroomed slopes and plenty of tree areas to jump into some powder.
Madarao
At Madarao, 60% of the courses are ungroomed, so there’s a good chance that you’ll be able to enjoy a fluffy, deep powder when you ski. Also, since not as many people as you might think like to ski on untouched powder, there is not a lot of competition for the slopes! Mt. Madarao stands 1382 meters tall and has 30 separate courses. There are 15 ski lifts at the resort. The ski area features a unique bowl-shape. Since Madarao was host to Japan’s first Freestyle Skiing Competition, there are many unique courses to choose from. There are groomed courses, ungroomed courses, the Tree Run courses, Free Ride Park, Kid’s Park, and wave courses - Madarao can be enjoyed by everyone from first timers to advanced skiers!
Lodging
Friday and Saturday nights we will be staying at a local cabin style guesthouse featuring a nice cafe and bar, Guesthouse Lamp. You can order what you want for dinner, and a great selection of local beer and sake are available for a very reasonable price. Breakfast features farm fresh eggs and bacon with toast and salad among other sides.
Ski / Snowboard Rentals:
We can arrange for a ski and snowboard set to be delivered to the ski resort and rental prices cost between 2000~3000 yen per day for board and boots set depending on the quality level.
*Trip departs Friday night from Ikebukuro station
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Included in the Trip Fee
-Roundtrip Van transport from Tokyo to Myoko area -Lodging in a lakeside guesthouse -2 days lift tickets at 2 resorts -Sunday Breakfast Participation Fee: 29,500 yen |
・Required Equipment: Overnight Toiletries, Towel, Change of Clothes, Onsen Kit, Ski / Snowboard Gear
・Maximum Participants: 9
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