Outdoor Japan TRAVELER - Issue 42 - Winter 2012

Page 62

HAKKODA ROPEWAY

Hakkoda, Aomori

(017) 738-0343 www.hakkoda-ropeway.jp Early Dec. - Mid-May 9:00 - 16:00

The eight peaks of Hakkoda attract Japan's most devoted powder lovers. It is basically backcountry with a 100-person gondola that takes 10 minutes to the top with four trips every hour. Once you get off you can choose from "Direct" or "Forest" trails. You won't get many blue bird days here and visibility can be difficult during snow storms (which is often). So if you are a Hakkoda newbie and want to explore the terrain it's best to so grab a local gudie. Tour Route Area Hakkoda Sansou, across the parking lot from Tour Route Area the gondola, is the closest accommodation. Up the road, Sukayu Onsen is a mixed hot spring with a 300-year history and a 1,000-person bath.

A modern resort hotel with timeless designs.

Web: www.appi.co.jp English Service Centre: Tel: +81(195)73-6401 E-mail: appi_english@ihr.co.jp

Choose from a variety of comfortable rooms with all the amenities.

1 DAY Adults 5 Times (on Ropeway) ¥4,900 TICKET Kids ¥2,200

Beginner Intermediate ACCESS By Train: 40 minutes to Aomori Stn. from Aomori Airport. Gondola By Car: 5 minutes from Owani Hirosaki I.C., Tohoku Lifts Expressway.

Advanced

Park

Tour Route Area Tour Route Area

Beginner Lifts

Intermediate Gondola

60% 2

20% 1

(0195) 73-6401 www.appi.co.jp/foreign_country/english/ Dec. 4 - May 5 8:30 - 20:00 (16:00 - 20:00)

1 DAY Adults ¥5,200 TICKET Kids ¥3,000

Park

Beginner Intermediate ACCESS By Train and Bus: 50 minutes from Morioka St. to APPI. By Car: 15 minutes from Matsuo-Hachimantai I.C. orLiftsAshiro Gondola I.C.

20%

Advanced

Park

Night Skiing: Dec. 24-Jan. 9 (everyday); Jan. 15 – Mar. 19 (Saturdays only)

Beginner Lifts

Intermediate Gondola

40% 3

30% 2 2

21

courses

Park

Beginner Stn. (2Intermediate hours 26 ACCESS By Train and Bus: Shinkansen from Tokyo to Morioka Lifts Resort. Gondola minutes), then about 90 minutes by bus to Hachimantai

21

courses

Longest Top Ele Base E

30% 11

Longest Course: 5,500m Top Elevation: 1,328m Base Elevation: 500m

Advanced

Park

40% 1

PANORAMA

3 1

SHIMOKURA Park

Beginner Lifts

Intermediate Gondola

30% 1

40% 1

14

courses

Advanced

14

courses

Longest Top Ele Base E

20% 5

Longest Course: 2,700m Top Elevation: 1,130m Base Elevation: 540m

TAZAWAKO SKI RESORT

Tazawako, Akita 1 DAY Adults ¥3,800 TICKET Kids ¥1,000

When it snows in Tazawako, and it usually does, there is deep powder and a good variety of courses to enjoy. When it is not snowing, you are treated to one of the great views of any ski resort in Japan, with Lake Tazawa below providing a stunning backdrop. For this reason, Tazawako is a popular ski resort for people in Tohoku, but the lines are still relatively short when compared to resorts in other areas of Japan. The lifts run directly from the Tazawako Onsen hotel area. The selection of runs should keep everyone happy; on one side is a beginner and intermediate area and on the other is a more challenging advanced course.

Park

30% 2 Park

Beginner Lifts

Intermediate Gondola

30% 2

Park

13 Beginner Advanced Stn. Intermediate (3 hours), then courses ACCESS By Train and Bus: Shinkansen from Tokyo to Tazawako Lifts Gondola 30 minutes by bus to the ski resort.

30% 4

Advanced

40%

Longest Course: 3,000m Top Elevation: 1,186m Base Elevation: 578m

For more Tohoku information visit OJ Online (www.outdoorjapan.com) 2 0 1 2

Advanced

4 3

Hachimantai, Iwate 1 DAY Adults ¥3,700 TICKET Kids ¥2,500

It’s easy to get confused because there are two Iwate Hachimantai resorts and another in Akita. The smaller Hachimantai in Iwate is a three-lift powder resort known for free riding. Iwate’s Hachimantai Resort, on the other hand, is larger and is a great family ski destination. Hachimantai Resort covers two main areas, Panorama ski area and the Shomokura ski area. Both are well sheltered from the weather, and PANORAMA Panorama features a huge night skiing area. There are high speed lifts servicing mostly beginner or intermediate courses that are wide open, so plenty of breathing room for beginners or kids wanting to SHIMOKURA bomb down the hill.

(0187) 46-2011 www.tazawako-ski.com Dec. 17 - Apr. 24 8:30 - 20:00 (16:30 - 20:00)

30% 2 2

Park

HACHIMANTAI RESORT (0195) 78-4111 www.hachimantai.co.jp Dec. 18 - Apr. 5 8:30 - 21:00 (16:00 - 21:00)

WINTER

Longest Top Ele courses Base E

10

Hachimantai, Iwate

Appi is a giant resort (41K of trails) with a long season (thanks to the many north-facing slopes) plus some great facilities (thanks to bubble era spending). Unlike many resorts in Japan, that have relatively short runs, the average course length at Appi is 2,100m, the longest 5,500m. It’s possible to do Appi as a long day-trip from Tokyo but with two ski-in/ski-out hotels and an annex hotel, which collectively sleep 4,100 guests, why not stay and soak away sore muscles at one of the two natural hot springs after a day on the mountain. Families will appreciate the Kids Park.

62

6 2

Longest Course: 5,000m Top Elevation: 1,324m Base Elevation: 670m

10

courses

APPI KOGEN

Advanced

20% 1

13

courses

3 4

Longest Top Ele Base E


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