EBOSHI RESORT
Zao-machi, Miyagi
(0224) 34-4001 www.eboshi.co.jp Dec. 1 - Mar.30 9:00 - 22:00 (17:30 - 22:00)
1 DAY Adults ¥4,300 TICKET Kids ¥2,700
Miyagi's Eboshi Resort is on the other side of the mountain from the more famous Yamagata Zao Onsen Ski Resort. It's much quieter, the lift lines are shorter on this side of the track, and the views are fantastic. Although it's a decent sized resort with well laid-out courses and a variety of ways to descend the mountain, it is more geared for beginners or advanced riders, as there is not a lot of challenging terrain. Powder hounds will be salivating on some of the areas outside the lines.
Park
50% 1 1
Park
Beginner Lifts
Intermediate Gondola
50% 1 1
Park
10
courses
20% 6
Longest Course: 4,300m Top Elevation: 1,350m Base Elevation: 650m
20% 6
Longest Course: 4,300m Top Elevation: 1,350m Base Elevation: 650m
10 Beginner Station Intermediate(1 hour, Advanced courses ACCESS By Train and Bus: Shinkansen from Tokyo to Shoroishi-Zao Gondola 54 minutes) then about an hour to the ski resort Lifts
YAMAGATA ZAO SKI RESORT
30% 1
Advanced
30% 1
Yamagata-shi, Yamagata
(023) 694-9328 www.zao-ski.or.jp Dec. 7 - Early May 8:30 - 21:00 (17:00 - 21:00)
1 DAY Adults ¥4,800 TICKET Kids ¥2,500
Ski resorts each have their own personalities; it is one of the joys of exploring new resort areas. Zao Onsen has a big bubbling personality. The town is literally bubbling with hot springs, and the ski resort offers a unique ski experience—skiing among the famous Zao Snow Monsters (juhyo). The resort is big with four gondolas, 35 lifts and a 10K downhill course. Skiers will enjoy the layout more than snowboarders (too much traversing), but the highlight, undoubtedly, is riding among these huge creatures formed of ice and wind. The peak season is February, and the juhyo illumination is spectacular.
Park
Park
Beginner Lifts
Intermediate Gondola
40% 3 3
Park
Beginner Intermediate to Yamagata ACCESS By Train and Bus: 2 1/2 hours by bullet train from Tokyo Lifts Gondola Station, then 40 minutes by bus to Zao Onsen
40% 3 3
Advanced
40% 1 27
Advanced
26
courses
40% 1 27
20% 5 2
Longest Course: 8,000m Top Elevation: 1,660m Base Elevation: 780m
20% 5 2
Longest Course: 8,000m Top Elevation: 1,660m courses Base Elevation: 780m
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ALTS BANDAI
Bandai, Fukushima
(0242) 74-5000 www.alts.co.jp Dec. 21 - Mar. 23 8:00 - 17:00 (17:00 - 21:00)
1 DAY Adults ¥4,700 TICKET Kids ¥3,700
With 30K of rideable terrain, nearly 30 courses and progressive freestyle parks, it is no surprise ALTS is a favorite of many of the top park riders in Japan. The resort is the largest in southern Tohoku and was the home to the Asia Open. This year ALTS features a new Cat Ski area on the west side of the resort where visitors can enjoy some deep turns. They offer budget backpacker accommodations and have shuttle bus service directly from Narita. After crankin’ big air in the pipe, slide into the Riders’ Café for a drink or relax in the hotel's great hot springs. ALTS is a south-facing resort, so it’s bright and features some nice terrain for free riding, but powder lovers will want to head next door to north-facing Nekoma.
Park
35% 1 1 Park
Beginner Lifts
35% 1 1
Park
Beginner StationIntermediate ACCESS By Train: 82 minutes from Tokyo Station to KoriyamaLifts By Car: 60 minutes from Fukushima International Airport. Gondola
Advanced
GRAN DECO SNOW RESORT (0241) 32-2530 www.grandeco.com Nov. 30 - May. 6 8:30 - 16:45 (8:00 - 17:00)
Intermediate Gondola
29
courses
40% 3
Advanced
29
courses
40% 3
25% 7
Longest Course: 3,300m Top Elevation: 1,280m Base Elevation: 700m
25% 7
Longest Course: 3,300m Top Elevation: 1,280m Base Elevation: 700m
Aizu Ura Bandai, Fukushima 1 DAY Adults ¥4,500 TICKET Kids ¥3,400
Gran Deco Snow Resort is a medium-sized resort with first-rate facilities, which include a gondola and express chairlifts and artificial snow-making capabilities to guarantee early and late-season riding. There is also a luxury hotel and SIA certified Snow Academy. Although the resort is best suited for beginners and intermediate riders, there are tree runs for advanced riders and a well maintained park. Gran Deco is one of the highest resorts in the area, which means good quality snow. The nearby Hotel Gran Deco has western-style rooms, an indoor and outdoor swimming pool (open in winter), Jacuzzis, saunas, hot spring baths, restaurants and bars. Beginner bus. ACCESS By train: 45 minutes from Inawashiro Station via local Lifts By car: 35 minutes from Inawashiro Bandai Kogen I.C.
Intermediate Gondola
Advanced
Park
7 40% 1
Beginner Lifts
40% 1
Intermediate Gondola
45% 4
Advanced
7
8
45% 4
15%
Longest Course: 4,000m Top Elevation: 1,590m
courses Base Elevation: 1,010m
15%
Longest Course: 4,000m Top Elevation: 1,590m courses Base Elevation: 1,010m
8
More information online at www.outdoorjapan.com/snow WINTER 2014
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