Shiga Kogen-Yakebitaiyama Ski Resort Guide (Shiga Kogen Yakebitaiyama)

Shiga Kogen-Yakebitaiyama is one of 19 areas in the Shiga Kogen group located in the Nagano Prefecture of Japan. It is a medium size resort with 6 lifts that offers skiers a respectable 450 metres (1510 feet) of vertical descent. Shiga Kogen-Yakebitaiyama has 213 acres of terrain providing 18 pistes and was the site of the Alpine ski and snowboard competitions during the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. All of the Shiga Kogen areas are covered under one lift pass to create Japan’s largest ski area. Yakebitaiyama is best suited to intermediate skiers and snowboarders, but there is terrain for beginners and advanced skiers as well. Yakebitaiyama keeps a well-maintained terrain park with numerous features to keep freestyle riders satisfied. A backcountry tour guide company operates out of Prince Hotels offering access to incredible terrain in Shiga Kogen and neighbouring mountains. Japan’s famous snow monkeys that can be seen bathing in hot springs are just a short drive or bus tour away. The nearest international airport is Narita (Tokyo) and the nearest train station is Nagano (where a bus then accesses the ski fields). Ski-in ski-out accommodation is offered by Prince Hotels.