JAPAN SNOW GUIDE
TRAVEL NOTES
Hakuba Cortina
NAGANO
If your kids love cars, trucks or trains, they’ll adore the “Snow Cat” snowmobiles at Hakuba Cortina Resort this season. Ever y Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Dec. 26 – Mar. 30, guests can enjoy a leisurely ride across the snowy landscape in the beautiful Hakuba Valley. Admission fee is ¥1,800 for adults and ¥1,200 for k ids. Web: w w w.hg p.co.jp / cortina/ski Hakuba Iwatake’s new Takeko Park has plenty of kid-friendly activities – from snow rafting, bouncy house, snowmobile riding and sledding slopes. Between January and March, go treasure hunting for a h idden su r pr ise somewhere within this park. If you find stickers around the resort’s slopes and trees with the “Takeko” mascot on it, you could win goodies, lif t tickets and even a season pass. Spring discounts from March 22-27, when 1-day passes cost ¥2,200 for adults and ¥1,200 for kids. Web: www.iwatake.jp Po w der lo v er s s ho u ld j u mp on t he ne w Hokuriku Shinkansen to Iiyama Station; from here, hop on the bus to Madarao. Madarao’s two tree and powder areas have expanded this season. Be sure to check out Madarao’s new “Sawa” tree run. The course boasts a kilometerlong natural half-pipe. The powder zones are on the right as you make your way down the Family Line. Backcountry tours are also available. Web: www.madarao.jp/ski and www.tangram.jp Manza Onsen Madarao
Celebrate Manza Onsen’s 60th Anniversary this season. Every month on the 6th, 16th and 26th score an adult pair tickets for just ¥6,000, while seniors (60-years+) receive free oneday tickets on these dates. Manza Onsen also welcomes a new Snow Park with a 50-meter snow escalator, sledding area for kids, a practice area for beginners and a long tubing course. Web: www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/manza
The North Face Kids Nature School
Kawaba
GUNMA
Start your Minakami Okutone ski holiday at the resort’s newly renovated ski center, The Gatehouse. The center, at the base of the hill, includes a café, easy ticketing booths, ski and snowboard rentals, gloves and snow-wear shop and comfortable locker and changing room facilities. Drop by before 10 a.m. on weekdays for the “Welcome Coffee Service” to receive a free cup of coffee. The Gatehouse is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Web: http://okutone.jp/english.php.
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T R AV E L E R
Lea r n to ski f rom Oly mpic skier A ki ra Sasaki on Jan. 16 at Tambara Ski Park. The Nor th Face am bassador w ill be at the Kids Nature School, a workshop organized by The North Face, specifically for parents and children From Grades 1-6. The participation fee is ¥8,000 for adults and ¥6,000 for children and includes a lift pass and rental skis and boots. To sign up, call (03) 6450-6481 or email tnf-kids-ns@benature.jp. Cruise untouched tracks on Kawaba’s First T racks Tour bet ween Decem ber a nd m idMarch, depending on snow conditions. Ride a snowmobile and receive one free commemorative photo of you and your friends (picked up at the ticket counter after your tour). Reser vations are required and can be made online. While you’re descending Kawaba’s peaks, stop by the resort’s new Jacky’s restaurant, for crispy fried chicken. Jacky’s is located on the first floor of the Restaurant Panorama House. Web: www. kawaba.co.jp