Shiga Kogen Central Area Ski Resort

To access Shiga Kogen Central Area Ski Resort, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station (approx. 1 hour 30 mins), and grab a direct bus. By car, from the Joshin-Etsu Expressway Shinshu-Nakano IC, it takes about 50 minutes.

At Shiga Kogen Central Area Ski Resort, all 13 ski areas within the Central Area are seamlessly interconnected by lifts and liaison courses forming a tremendous long course, meaning you can tour around without ever catching a bus. You can spend an entire day enjoying a massive, uninterrupted ski tour.

At Shiga Kogen Central Area Ski Resort, Yes! Utilizing a single "All-Mountain Common Lift Ticket (IC Key Ticket)," you have unlimited access not only to these 13 areas but all 18 areas across Shiga Kogen. Purchasing it online beforehand means you skip the ticket queues.

At Shiga Kogen Central Area Ski Resort, the Central Area boasts an array of ultra-challenging slopes, including Shiga Kogen's steepest "Maruike A Course," the "Higashitateyama Olympic Course" utilized in Olympic giant slalom competitions, and the "Giant Ski Resort" featuring a max incline of 34 degrees.

At Shiga Kogen Central Area Ski Resort, the Ichinose Family Ski Area features wide and gentle slopes that continue endlessly, garnering immense popularity among beginners and families. It's incredibly convenient with numerous lodges and eateries centered in the vicinity.

At Shiga Kogen Central Area Ski Resort, Night skiing / early morning skiing operations are conducted at Ichinose Family, Takamagahara Mammoth, Sun Valley, and more on weekends and designated dates from year-end/New Year through March (Please check the official site for the latest schedules).

At Shiga Kogen Central Area Ski Resort, You'll find mountain-hut-style restaurants and hotel dining options dotting the bases and mid-slopes of the respective areas, offering your choice of appealing slope food.

At Shiga Kogen Central Area Ski Resort, the area is dotted with numerous hot springs hotels, ryokans, and pensions across its full expanse. Strongest concentrations are found in the Ichinose and Hasuike areas, allowing for a stay incredibly close to the slopes.

At Shiga Kogen Central Area Ski Resort, many hotels and ryokans border the slopes directly, facilitating an environment almost tantamount to ski-in/ski-out. Accommodations throughout the Ichinose and Takamagahara locales boast spectacular convenience.

At Shiga Kogen Central Area Ski Resort, the standard operating season stretches from late December to early April. January through March features peak conditions characterized by Honshu's highest-tier premium powder all natural snow. Staying for two or more days is highly advised to fully circumnavigate the 13 interconnected ski areas.

At Shiga Kogen Central Area Ski Resort, to circumvent crowds, advance online lift ticket and rentals available purchase is recommended. Because the 13 areas are intertwined by lifts, checking the course map prior will help you devise an efficient touring plan. Make sure to leverage the free intra-area shuttle buses nicely too!