Minakami Kogen Ski Resort, offering a host of kid-friendly snow activities

Experience dog sledding to get closer to nature and animals

Minakami Kogen Ski Resort is famous as the only place in Honshu offering authentic dog sledding experiences. Dog sledding is a mode of transportation where children or adults ride on a wooden sled pulled by six to eight dogs. Recently, this has become a popular winter activity that attracts many visitors.

The six-dog sled takes riders on a run over a vast snow field traveling about 2,000 meters. Feeling the brisk mid-winter air as you ride, and listening to the sound of the sled dogs panting as they run, may make you feel more at one with nature.

Many other activities to please the little ones

Minakami Kogen Ski Resort has two kids’ parks including Pokémon Snow Pallet for the whole family and Pikachu Kindergarten designed for children ages one to five.

Other activities for different age groups include the snow racers, snow riders, sledding and snow rafting. While young children may not meet the age requirement to ski, they can still enjoy playing in the snow to their hearts’ content with other children their age. Young children will find it exciting to look for the Pokémon mascot while strolling through the park, and maybe even take photo together.

Take a break at the rest area inside the Day Ski Center

Since skiing is a full body workout, just an hour of skiing can use up quite a bit of energy. Sometimes you may not feel like having a full lunch and rather take a quick break somewhere. We recommend visiting the rest area on the 3rd floor of the Day Ski Center.

There are soft sofas perfect for taking a moment to sit down and relax. Wearing ski boots all day can cause your legs to swell. Take off your foot gear to give your legs a break with a gentle massage.

Moreover, there’s also a day-care center for infants and toddlers who aren’t ready to play in the snow. Choose from a half or full day daycare, where specialized staff attend to your children at all times in the comfort of a warm room to ensure they are well cared for.

If you enroll in advance, the hotel chef will also prepare a snack or lunch for the children in daycare. Be sure to let the staff know ahead of time if your child has any allergies.

Minakami Kogen Hotel 200, a Welcome Baby-authorized accommodation

Located adjacent to the ski resort, Minakami Kogen Hotel 200 is recognized as a Welcome Baby Accommodation authorized by Mikihouse Child & Family Research and Marketing Institute Inc. Welcome Baby Accommodation refers to an accommodation, including hotels, ryokan, and onsen facilities, that offers added peace of mind to families with young children.

Floors are made with soft cushions, making it safe for young children who may roll or fall easily. What’s more, the hotel also offers thoughtful touches including baby-friendly amenities and services, such as baby crib, soap, thermometer, plastic microwavable baby bottle sterilizer/warmer, and child-sized hangers, each available in guestrooms.

Over 60-item buffet of Japanese, Western and Chinese cuisine as well as baby food

One of the reasons why Minakami Kogen Hotel 200 is so popular among families with young children is its variety of food offerings. There’s a buffet offering 60 dishes representing Japanese, Western, and Chinese cuisine, including their centerpiece roast beef, as well as children’s favorites such as omelets, pasta, and fries.

In addition, baby food is also provided for infants not quite ready for solid foods. What’s more, each family can choose the right baby food for their own child based on their age.

Minakami Kogen Ski Resort offers many friendly bonuses for families traveling with young children

That wraps it up for today - while this article can’t cover everything, Minakami Kogen Ski Resort not only offers a variety of facilities that cater to beginners as well as families with young children, it also features a variety of courses that will satisfy skiers of all levels from beginner to advanced. The steep downhill course for intermediate to advanced skiers begins from an elevation of 1,248 meters and delivers a thrilling ride with up-close views of soaring mountain peaks.

【Details】
Minakami Kogen Ski Resort
Address: 6152-1 Fujiwara, Minakami-machi, Tone-gun, Gunma Prefecture
Opening Hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm

Pricing information and schedule may not be up to date and are subject to change without notice. Please check before your trip.