Explore the snow Nagano way to enjoy your skiing holidays


Nagano is loved by many holidaymakers as the mecca for winter sports, abounding in deep snow fields coupled with spectacular alpine landscape. Nagano was the site for the Winter Olympic Games in 1998.  You can not only enjoy skiing, but also bathing in the spas and tasteful local cuisines together with warmhearted omotenashi (or hospitality). It is the Nagano way.

 The northern Nagano area is noted for its long history as the birthplace of skiing in Japan, including Madarao, Nozawa and Shiga. The North Alps area boasts a big snow field including Hakuba Happo One, Hakuba Goryu, Hakuba 47, Iwatake and Tsugaike as the leading ski areas in the country.

Ski Areas in North Nagano


［Ski slope information］

The Northern Nagano ski resort is blessed with good snowfall this season,
Most ski resorts are open since mid December.

Snow cover is also about 2 m in the Hakuba area, Nozawa and Madarao in The Northern Nagano are about 1 m to 1 m 50 cm.
A successful ski season began.

（December 18, 2017 information）


This is one of the most popular skiing resorts in Japan visited by the young and families. The skiing slopes are developed on the northern and eastern sides of Mt.Madarao with pension villages in the woods including smart and colorful lodging facilities. Located in the centre of the resort is Madarao Kogen Hotel. Madarao was used as the site for the Mogul events of the World Cup, the course used therefor being open to the public.

The wide courses allow the beginners and intermediates to feel comfort and thrill. Even the beginners can enjoy cruising on the Sky Love and Sky View courses straight from the top. The most thrilling and enjoyable are the  7 uncombed courses with trees where you can appreciate deep virgin powder snow.

Tangram on the other side of the mountain is connected by lift with Madarao at its top. You can enjoy spectacular panoramic view including Lake Nojiri, Mt.Myoko, and even the Sea of Japan, weather permitting.

Madarao Tangram

Tangram is a popular ski resort for long stay lying on the northwestern slopes of Mt.Madarao. It has a compact combination of the ski park and hotel. You can fully enjoy your ski holidays while staying at the hotel having the indoor swimming pool, bubble bath, spas, etc.

Most exciting and challenging will be the ungroomed king’s slalom course near the top of the mountain. The course has the maximum gradient of 33 degree full of bumps whilst you can appreciate genuine powder snow after snowfall. The other courses will enable you to enjoy comfortable cruising. You can ski down the spectacular course from the lake view line heading for Lake Nojiri enjoying the panoramic view of Hokushin 5 mountains.

The lift is connected with Madarao on the other side of the mountain via the joint ticket.


Nozawa has been loved by many skiers as the skiing village having the historic hot springs, unparalleled scale of slopes and minshuku (or private houses offering lodging facilities).

Nozawa has slopes extending from the top of Mt.Kenashi (1,650m) to its foot, with the difference in altitude of 1,085m, total area of 297ha, 21 lifts including two gondolas and 6 high speed lifts connecting each slope. It is one of the top- notch skiing resorts in Japan for its size, history, snowfall, etc.

You can perhaps enjoy Nozawana as popular pickles and feel the warm omotenashi (or hospitality) of the local people.


Shiga is one of the most major skiing areas in Japan boasting many skiing parks.

The area extends from Sun Valley, Maruike, Hasuike near the doorstep to Giants, Bunadaira, Nishitateyama, then from Maruike further to kumanoyu, Yokoteyama, Shibutohge, and to Takamagahara, Ichinose, Yakibitaiyama and the Okushiga ski zone. The ropeway from Hasuike will shift you to the summit of Higashitateyama

with the Olympic course at 2,000m above the sea level.

Real powder snow coupled with the spectacularly varied courses will promise you an unforgettable holidays.


Sugadaira is a highland stretching at the foot of Mt.Nekodake 2,207m high above the sea level, surrounded by small hills and mountains.

It is characterized by compact slopes, the powder snow of superior quality and convenient access. It has the sister city partnership with Davos in Switzerland, which makes it the Davos in Japan.

The summit of Mt. Nekodake is reached via the “ snow cat “. You will be excited at the world of powder snow.

Myoko Suginohara

Suginohara is a big ski zone lying on the eastern side of Mt.Myoko and Mt.Mitahara The area is made up of Suginohara and Mitahara zone connected at the top and bottom.  The major attraction of the area is cruising on the wide and undulating courses with the length of 8.5km and the difference of altitude of 1,100m..  It is the longest course in Japan, indeed.

The upper part of Mitahara zone has a super mogul course with the max. gradient of 32 degree as a real challenge for the advanced skiers. The 8-passenger gondolas will transport you up to the top of Suginohara zone from the station at its foot.

The Mitahara zone has 3 speedy quad lifts, the upper part thereof boasting super fresh powder snow after snowfall.


Ikenotaira is recommended as a safe and comfortable area for beginners and families as the slopes are wide and gentle. 

You can enjoy the Quad and Yahho course in Alpen Bruick extending from the top 1,500m high above the sea level. The 4 km long run will be a great fun on Yamabato and Yamabato tree run course in Kayaba area. 

Kayaba area has wide and gentle slopes promising safe skiing for beginners.

Akakura Kanko Resort

Owned by Akakura Kanko Hotel located in the centre of the area, the skiing resort is equipped with the gondola lift “ Myoko Sky Cable” transferring you to the  station 1,500m above sea level. 

It is characterized by the Champion course at the upper part of the area and the Hotel area,which is long and vertical.


Developed as an old spa area, Akakura is the birthplace of the ski history in Myoko. 

The ski area is magnificently grand having Yodel and Ginrei including varied courses featuring needle-leaf tree runs, humps, powder, grooming, etc.

On the whole, it is a hard ski area, but full attention is paid to beginners and families including easy slope arrangements.

The resort provides enjoyment and comfort through skiing and spas.

Hakuba　area


Hakuba Happo One is reputed as the top-grade alpine skiing area developed along the extending ridges of Mt.Karamatsudake having the beautiful North Alps in the background. 

The area slopes down from the top at 1,831m high including 13 varied courses with the difference of altitude of 1,070m and the max. 8 km long course. 

It is the choicest ski resort where you can appreciate the good quality of snow as well as the superior facilities.


Both the resorts lie against the background of Mt.Goryu and Mt.Karamatsudake,

providing a ski paradise including the fantastic outlook of the North Alps from Alps Daira in the upper area together with the varied courses taking advantage of 1,000m as the difference of altitude.

You can reach the summit area by fast telecabin.

Hakuba 47 is the newest in the area which opened in 1990.  With the spectacular mountains of the North Alps on the left, the Route 1 is a 3.8km-long course sloping down like a highway.

The board park therein is such a thrilling area with all arrangements.  Joint lift tickets cover both Hakuba Goryu and Hakuba 47.

Hakuba Iwatake Snowfield

This snow area boasts the panoramic 360 degree outlook including the three Hakuba mountains. Yu can reach the top area by gondola lift “Noah” in 8 minutes.

The open and gentle slopes from the summit enable all skiers and boarders to enjoy themselves comfortably.

Tsugaike Kogen

Tsugaike Kogen is a ski area representing Hakuba area having big and wide space together with soft atmosphere in contrast with hard Hakuba Happo One.

The spacious courses promise safe skiing to beginners and families.

The intermediate and advanced skiers are recommended to go up to Tuganomori Station and to slide on the two long courses extending down to gondola lift station.  There is a hit park in Tsuganomori for snowboarders to enjoy big fly. 

The backcountry fans can take the ropeway from Tsugaike Daimon Station up to Tsugaike Natural Park 1,900m high, and then walk up Mt.Hakuba Norikuradake 2,437 m high for gorgeous downhill cruise.