I used to enjoy going on one-day trips from Tokyo on the Shinkansen to the hills near Eichigo Yuzawa station, for the sheer convenience and low cost. Breakfast and dinner at home, lunch on the mountain. The last couple of years, however, haven’t been as good: nasty weather, bigger crowds on the runs and uncomfortable and crowded base-lodge facilities.
My favourite is Miyuki Onsen in Tamagawa Prefecture. Steep and deep with killer unridden tree runs off the No. 2 Romance Pair lift. Only 4000 yen a day pass.
(some names in this comment may have been changed)
For access (from Tokyo), Yuzawa area is the best. My favorite is Ishiuchi Maruyama, close to the shinkansen station and highway, fairly large and good slope variety, not as crowded as the neighboring Gala, decent food, nice onsen nearby. Ideal for day trips
I love Hakuba and Nozawa for convenience and the festive atmosphere -- especially Nozawa, which has a great town for dinner or a few drinks. The only place I ever returned early from was Karuizawa -- not worth it.
I work three season in Hakaba Valley and know the place well. It is a great destination for a ski holiday. So I had my full of the Valley and now board North Japan, Akita, Iwate and Aomori and my pick would be the ropeway station on Hakkoda San.
Rusutsu, Kiroro and Tomamu in Hokkaido. Went to the first two during Covid and almost had the mountains to ourselves with snow of a quality we'd never experienced before. Tomamu snow was light and fluffy but not in the same volumes as the first two.
I haven't done much skiing in Honshu, but had a day at Takasu Mountain in Gifu and that was lots of fun if a little crowded with the day-trippers from Nagoya.
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JeffLee
I used to enjoy going on one-day trips from Tokyo on the Shinkansen to the hills near Eichigo Yuzawa station, for the sheer convenience and low cost. Breakfast and dinner at home, lunch on the mountain. The last couple of years, however, haven’t been as good: nasty weather, bigger crowds on the runs and uncomfortable and crowded base-lodge facilities.
Namahage
Ha!
kohakuebisu
My favourite is Miyuki Onsen in Tamagawa Prefecture. Steep and deep with killer unridden tree runs off the No. 2 Romance Pair lift. Only 4000 yen a day pass.
(some names in this comment may have been changed)
timeon
For access (from Tokyo), Yuzawa area is the best. My favorite is Ishiuchi Maruyama, close to the shinkansen station and highway, fairly large and good slope variety, not as crowded as the neighboring Gala, decent food, nice onsen nearby. Ideal for day trips
BB
I love Hakuba and Nozawa for convenience and the festive atmosphere -- especially Nozawa, which has a great town for dinner or a few drinks. The only place I ever returned early from was Karuizawa -- not worth it.
ClippetyClop
So many fine little local snow gems in Japan, but 47, Goryu & Cortina are like old friends and I keep going back there.
Just got back to Japan so will be going somewhere in Nagano this coming weekend.
John-San
I work three season in Hakaba Valley and know the place well. It is a great destination for a ski holiday. So I had my full of the Valley and now board North Japan, Akita, Iwate and Aomori and my pick would be the ropeway station on Hakkoda San.
Namahage
It's like surfing secret spots here nowadays.
No such thing.
More's the pity.
Garthgoyle
Come to Chisenupuri. It's a super easy backcountry hike (about 3 hours) with low relatively low consequences, and you'll get good turns.
BorisM
Rusutsu, Kiroro and Tomamu in Hokkaido. Went to the first two during Covid and almost had the mountains to ourselves with snow of a quality we'd never experienced before. Tomamu snow was light and fluffy but not in the same volumes as the first two.
I haven't done much skiing in Honshu, but had a day at Takasu Mountain in Gifu and that was lots of fun if a little crowded with the day-trippers from Nagoya.