The gateway to the central Shiga Kogen area is “Yama no Eki,” a resort centre that opened its doors in the 2020-21 season. This hub features a bus station and a free car park with a 500-car capacity, making it a great place to set off into the main area. It also houses a couple of restaurants, a souvenir shop, a convenience store, an information centre, a ticket booth, gear rental facilities, locker rooms, and changing rooms to allow visitors to head straight onto the slopes via gondola from here.
Start off at the Giant area which allows for smooth access to the main area connecting 15 other ski areas. This area is a very steep course that can be challenging for even advanced skiers and snowboarders, and is known as one of the most difficult runs in Shiga Kogen. Hopping onto a lift from the Giant area will take you over to Higashidate, which boasts the longest course in the vicinity that’s variety packed, featuring steep sections, flat sections, and even moguls. There’s also easy access to the famed central courses of Ichinose and Takamagahara. If you’re after the hotel with the best course access in all of Shiga Kogen, then look no further than “Hotel Khuls” in the Ichinose area. This hotel is popular for its amazing location. Guests can strap on their skis or snowboard, hit the course right at the hotel’s entrance, and then head down to the lift from there. An added bonus is that the food here also comes highly rated.
Another hotel that warrants a stay is the “Villa Alpen.” The fanbase for his hotel continues to grow as it prioritises offering guests a fulfilling stay with comfort through small touches such as the bar with a fireplace, as well as early check-in and late check-out options. Both hotels are popular, have guests that continue to return, and are owned by former top skiers with Olympic and World Cup experience. Perhaps the personable owners are one of the reasons people keep coming back for future stays.
