Best Places to Ski in Japan

[seienchin]

I've had an inquiry from a friend who wants to go skiing in Japan. I thought that with all the Japanese and Japan-resident members here, there has to be people who can help!

Can anyone provide information about the different sk places, (if you give links - I need them to be in english)...It would be lovely to help my friend

Thanks all, in anticipation of the usual amazing collection of knowledge.

[vapor]

Naeba is a good spot for skiing...it is in Niigata.

Snow Japan - Naeba Ski Academy, Naeba Ski School, Naeba Snowboard School

Don't worry too much about the school listed on the site...it has lots of other good info.

Another good area, is up in Nagano---where the Winter Olympics were held a number of years ago.

(Just a few spots to ski!! Snow Japan - Nagano Prefecture Ski & Snowboard Map & Satellite - Interactive map centered on Nagano Prefecture, Japan)

vapor

[seienchin]

Vapor - thanks so much! Good to see you back online!

[smoothsake]

We have a place in Karuizawa in Nagano. It is a very posh ski resort city (like Aspen, Co) where you will find world class skiing and boutiques, restaurants, etc. Echigoyuzawa is also a very nice place in Nagano and is accessible by the bullet train. The mountainous regions of Niigata also provide first grade skiing, but to tell you the truth I know many friends that fly to Korea from Japan and ski because they say it is cheaper to get on a plane and ski there then ski locally (personally can't verify).

[seienchin]

Thanks Smoothsake - will pass this info on as well.
Much appreciated.

[Kris]

I have gone twice to Niseko in Hokkaido. Nice place. Good slopes. Lot of snow.

[seienchin]

Thanks Kris - I have passed that suggestion on along with the others. Much appreciated.

[aoerstroem]

Thanks for the links - I have considered going to Japan to ski (amongst other things) with my girlfriend. It's good to have people with local knowledge handy

[vapor]

There is a great place in Hokkaido to stay at, outside of Kushiro--a youth hostel that is nothing like a youth hostel!! The owner is a former chef, and the food he puts out for dinner is well worth the cost of the nights stay!! (the hostel is built with a log cabin-ique feeling to it)

(we also went ice fishing further up north on one of the frozen lakes....which was an experience)

It is also important to remember that one of the highlights of skiing in Japan, is that most resorts, or resort towns have hot springs....(onsen)....life is good after you spend a couple of hours in an onsen!!



vapor