Snow Resorts in Tohoku Perfect for Families!

Explore tourist destinations with your family at Hoshino Resorts ALTS BANDAI Snow Park & Resort

The surrounding area of Mount Bandai, the mountain that represents Fukushima, hosts many ski resorts within the prefecture. By using the shuttle bus that connects Mount Bandai’s various ski grounds and hotels, all these ski resorts can be reached without needing a car. The ski ground Hoshino Resorts ALTS BANDAI has a shuttle bus running once per day from Hotel Listel Inawashiro on a reservation basis. There is also a highly convenient free shuttle bus running from the nearest station - Bandaimachi Station. The ski resort has a 2km long trail, a snow park where the skiing world cup, and a variety of other courses.

Hoshino Resorts ALTS BANDAI Snow Park & Resort is perfect for both families and beginners. This is because of the “Yukidds 70”, a ski lesson program tailored for kids, which will help kids improve their skills, all whilst having fun. As this 4 level, 70 lesson skiing program can be continued yearly, you can pick up right where you left off with something to look forward to on your next trip. For those who enjoy playing in the snow rather than ski, the is a sledding slope fitted with a snow-escalator is an option. If staying in the Hoshino Resorts Bandaisan Onsen Hotel, any children below elementary school age can get their rental items for free, making this a great spot to go for a family.

Other than skiing and snowboarding, you can indulge in various snow activities around the Mount Bandai area. This includes snowshoe trekking around popular tourist destinations such as Goshikinuma (Five Colored Lakes), the icy waterfall of Yellow Falls, as well as pondsmelt fishing which can only be experienced in winter. After a busy day of exploring this region, don’t forget to try delicious local cuisines such as Kitakata ramen and Aizu’s famous sauce Katsudon!

More information about Hoshino Resorts ALTS BANDAI Snow Park & Resort here

Appi Kogen Ski Resort, fitted with both indoor and outdoor slopes perfect for beginners!

Iwate is a prefecture that hosts many ski resorts that utilize the wide plateaus in the Hachimantai area. Within this, boasting one of the biggest in Japan, is the Appi Kogen Ski Resort. This ski resort is known for its 21 varying ski slopes making it one of Japan’s largest, and its “Dry Powder” snow (snow that holds less water), is supremely smooth; together with the northern facing slopes this place is known for being one of, if not the most popular snow resort in the Tohoku region. With there being Mogul lanes, tree run zones as well as the, “APPI QUEST PARK”, this ski resort is for everyone as it accommodates people of all levels and has various activities that the whole family can enjoy.

The kids school is catered to kids between 3 to 12, years old and offers unique lessons such as the “magic lesson”. This takes place on the indoor artificial ski slope and uses designated skis, where kids will be able to enjoy learning in a safe, fun environment. For those who want to just play in the snow, there is the “Appi Happy Snow Park”. Here you can try out an abundance of fun experiences that even the adults would want to join in such as the snowmobile and snow rafting. There is a ski/snowboard trial area as well for beginners who want to see how it's like.

In the approximately 280 hectares of Appi Kogen Ski Resort, it is highly recommended that you stay for a few days to relax and enjoy it to the fullest. Other than the resort-esque hotels in the ski resorts, there are plenty of homely mansions and houses available to stay in. In your spare time you should definitely take a trip to Chuson-ji (a shrine listed as a World Heritage Site), explore around Morioka Station (where the bus to Appi Kogen arrives/departs from) and try delicious noodles such as "wanko soba", "Morioka cold noodles" and "Morioka jajamen", known together as the "three great noodles of Morioka".

More information about Appi Kogen Ski Resort here

Miyagi Zao Eboshi Resort, enjoy the various events with your family!

Miyagi Zao Eboshi Resort, located in Sendai city, is only an hour away from Sendai airport, making this place highly accessible. This ski resort is the largest in Miyagi prefecture, has facilities designed for families with children, and safe for people interacting with snow for the first time. As this place is has slopes of varying difficulty, this is a great resort for people of all levels. Teach your kids the basics to get used to the snow at the Air dome and Sledding course in the Kids Park, then why not let them make their skiing debut at the gentle Family slope, making for a special day.

At the Ski grounds, there are various kids events planned. These include snow sports festivals, an igloo building experience, and if you’re lucky maybe some penguins may make a special appearance. For the kids who want to try skiing, there is even a kids school available. After the kids have gone through the lessons and mastered the basics, and would like to ski as a family, there are various special lift passes available. Such passses include discounts of groups of 2 adults and 1 to 2 kids or discounts to children in elementary/middle school. Using these passes are definitely advised on your visit there.

After a fun-filled time playing in the snow, make a visit to Togatta Onsen. Togatta Onsen has been widely known to be a famous toji-yu (medicinal hot springs) since long ago for its hotter than normal properties, which will sooth and warm your body. There are numerous accommodation facilities available all with unique features, from offering skiing packages, or spectacular views of the Zao mountain range from open-air hot spring baths, and even established resort hotels for guests who want a very comfortable stay. At Miyagi Zao Eboshi Resort you can experience the full Japanese ski and hot spring experience.

More information about Miyagi Zao Eboshi Resort here

Enjoy a lovely vacation with your family at winter resorts in Tohoku

The ski grounds in the Tohoku region has something for all the family and enough for adults to enjoy. Once they grasp the basics of skiing and snowboarding, the children can improve to here to be as good as the adullts in no time. Come visit as a family, have an unforgettable time and make some wonderful winter memories in Tohoku.

【Note】Pricing information and schedule is correct at the time of writing and are subject to change without notice. Please check the official website before your trip.