Okushiga Kogen Ski Resort

http://www.powderhounds.com/site/DefaultSite/filesystem/images/Japan/OkushigaKogen/Okushiga-01.jpg
Okushiga Kogen Ski Area
Okushiga Kogen Ski Area
Okushiga is the best Shiga Kogen ski area
Okushiga is the best Shiga Kogen ski area
Okushiga Kogen Ski Resort
Okushiga Kogen Ski Resort
Off-piste skiing is allowed at Okushiga Kogen
Off-piste skiing is allowed at Okushiga Kogen
The convenience of being able to ski in to the Okushiga Kogen Hotel
The convenience of being able to ski in to the Okushiga Kogen Hotel
There are a couple of cafeterias at the gondola base
There are a couple of cafeterias at the gondola base
The onsen at the Okushiga Kogen Hotel
The onsen at the Okushiga Kogen Hotel
The bar and cafe at the Okushiga Kogen Hotel
The bar and cafe at the Okushiga Kogen Hotel
Okushiga Kogen Ski School
Okushiga Kogen Ski School
Wide open groomers with limited crowds
Wide open groomers with limited crowds
The apres bar at Okushiga Kogen Hotel
The apres bar at Okushiga Kogen Hotel
Okushiga Kogen is rather family friendly
Okushiga Kogen is rather family friendly
One of the restaurants at the Okushiga Kogen Hotel
One of the restaurants at the Okushiga Kogen Hotel
The Centre House: sports bar, ski school and kids room
The Centre House: sports bar, ski school and kids room
Gorgeous groomers
Gorgeous groomers
First course at the Italian restaurant at the Grand Phenix Hotel
First course at the Italian restaurant at the Grand Phenix Hotel
The shop at the Grand Phenix Hotel
The shop at the Grand Phenix Hotel
The gondola is rather small but effective
The gondola is rather small but effective

Okushiga Kogen Ski Resort

Readers Ratings

Okushiga Kogen

Okushiga Kogen4/56
Okushiga Kogen4 out of 5 based on 6 reviews
  • Recommend
    100%
  • Would Revisit
    100%

Okushiga Kogen Ski Resort

The Okushiga Kogen Ski Resort is one of the best Shiga Kogen ski areas. For many years snowboarding was banned at Okushiga Kogen and then it became the most progressive of the Shiga Kogen ski resorts (although that’s not too hard considering that much of Shiga Kogen is painfully stuck in the dark ages!) and was the first to allow off-piste skiing. Okushiga Kogen even encouraged tree skiing by undertaking a modest glading program.

Okushiga Kogen Ski Resort also offers plenty of other pluses for international visitors including a hotel with western beds and multi-lingual staff, an international ski school with group ski and snowboard lessons in English, and backcountry tours.

Pros and Cons of Okushiga Kogen

Pros 
  • Like many of the Shiga ski areas, Okushiga Kogen is blessed with lots of snowfall and high elevation, so the snow quality is typically better than most other Nagano ski resorts.
  • The steep groomer is a lot of fun.
  • Off-piste riding is permitted and includes some gladed areas. The off-piste has small sections of gnarly steeps, which is somewhat of a rarity for Japan.
  • Other than holiday weekends, the ski area is completely uncrowded.
  • The ski area has the convenience of two lovely ski-in ski-out hotels.
  • Unlike the rest of Shiga Kogen, Okushiga has a handful of pensions and lodges and not just hotels.
  • This is one of only several ski resorts in Japan that offer group ski and snowboard lessons in English, and it’s the only area at Shiga Kogen.
  • The Okushiga Kogen Hotel caters well to English speaking guests.
Cons
  • As with the rest of Shiga Kogen, there is no village, and dining options in the evening are limited, especially if you want a cheap meal.
  • The nightlife is rather subdued, although it’s a fraction livelier than the rest of Shiga Kogen. The area is isolated and evening shuttles are limited.
  • Okushiga Kogen is susceptible to lifts going on wind hold and you then need to get a shuttle bus to another Shiga area.
Pro or Con Depending On Your Perspective
  • The off-piste terrain requires a bit of nous to navigate (or a guide) so the average punter isn’t going to head in there (without having to walk out of a gully) and steal your freshies.
  • Okushiga is at the end of the line so it’s not a central spot to easily explore all of Shiga, yet this contributes to it being quieter.

Okushiga Kogen Ski and Snowboard Terrain

Okushiga Kogen ski area is reasonably large compared to some of the little Shiga Kogen ski areas. Okushiga Kogen has 6 lifts, 530 metres of vertical, and only 10 courses (ie piste), but the size of the off-piste terrain and also the sidecountry is substantial. And as one of the Shiga Kogen ski areas, Okushiga Kogen is interconnected with 14 other ski zones, and another 3 Shiga Kogen areas are accessible by bus, so there’s definitely no shortage of ski and snowboard terrain. Better still, all the Shiga ski areas are on a shared lift ticket.

The trail stats are 20% beginner, 60% intermediate, and 20% advanced. For powder hounds, the strength of Okushiga Kogen lies in the off-piste and sidecountry areas that run off a few of the Okushiga Kogen lifts and from the inter-connection with Yakebitaiyama.

See the Okushigakogen ski resort terrain for more on the slopes, snow and lifts.

Where is Okushiga Kogen Ski Resort?

Okushiga Kogen is 57km northeast of Nagano City and the most northern of the Shiga Kogen ski areas. Okushigakogen is connected via the slopes with Yakebitiyama ski area, which is reasonably large and it has modern facilities. The Sun Valley ski area (the closest Shiga ski area to Nagano) is 14km to the southwest by road, or you can just ski or snowboard there.

OkushigaKogen is 26km northeast of the town of Yudanaka and 24km from the adjacent town of Shibu Onsen.

You can get from the airports or Tokyo to Shiga Kogen with Nagano Snow Shuttle. Or see the Shiga Kogen travel page for information on options for getting to Shiga Kogen. To get between the different Shiga Kogen ski areas during the day, it’s possible to use the lifts and slopes or the free shuttle bus service.

Okushiga Kogen Hotels

The ski area is fortunate to have two hotels that have the convenience of a ski-in ski-out location. The Okushiga Kogen Hotel caters incredibly well to international guests with multi-lingual staff. As with all of Shiga Kogen, it’s a bit old school in parts, yet it’s well serviced. Hotel rooms offer western beds that range from single rooms to suites for up to 4 to 5 guests. The Okushiga Kogen Hotel has a delightful après ski bar that serves drinks, lunch and appetizers, and you can lounge around the central open fire. The hotel has fine dining restaurants with French or Japanese cuisine, or there is a sports bar nearby. See more information on Okushiga Kogen Hotel packages here.

The nearby Hotel Grand Phenix offers ski in access and it is less than a minute walk to the lift (so it’s pretty much ski-in ski-out). This grand hotel has been renovated and features traditional and striking European décor. Most of the hotel rooms are western style (for 1 to 4 guests) and there are also twin Japanese tatami rooms available. In addition to a Chinese/Japanese restaurant, the hotel has an Italian restaurant that serves the most exquisite multi-course gourmet meals (open for lunch and dinner). A beautiful lounge bar overlooking snowy trees is a nice spot for après ski drinks or a night cap. Other hotel facilities include a large indoor swimming pool, onsen (including open air bath), saunas, ski rentals (not snowboards), and a Phenix ski shop.

There are also several pensions and lodges at Okushiga Kogen.

OkushigaKogen Accommodation Listings

Ski Resort Facilities

Most of the facilities and services at Okushiga Kogen are housed within the two hotels, and also the Center House which has a sports bar, kids indoor play room, the Shiga International Ski School and an equipment rental shop with powder skis, backcountry touring skis, cross-country skis, snowboards, and snowshoes. The gondola base also has a shop with equipment rentals.

[AdListings collection="Japan" category="Okushiga Kogen" subcategory="Ski School"]  
Okushiga Kogen has some good options for lunch including the sports bar, a cafeteria near the base of the gondola, European inspired lunch at Chalet Cristiana, or a fancy lunch at the Phenix Hotel.

Backcountry

Ride Shiga offers a range of backcountry ski and snowboard trips. These include guiding in the sidecountry of Okushiga Kogen, and skinning trips to Ryuoo Ski Park plus other backcountry.
Tours That May Include Okushigakogen

Safari (Road Trip) Tours

The Legendary Roadie
HOSTED & GUIDED ROAD TRIP
11 Days | 10 Nights | 8 Days Skiing
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Experience Japan powder like no other on this legendary road trip where you will visit up to 8 resorts in 3 prefectures; Nagano, Gunma & Niigata! Join a tour as a solo traveler, couple or small group. Max 6 spots per tour so get in quickly!
Price p/p From price based on twin-share, standard package at Lodge Aibiya.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY in taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY in taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 3,343
View Details
 
See all Safari (Road Trip) tours that visit Okushiga Kogen here

Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area Tours

Nagano Powder Chaser
HOSTED & GUIDED SKI & CULTURE PACKAGES
3, 4, 5 & 6 Nights | 2, 3, 4 & 5 Days Skiing/Boarding
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Advanced
Don't let a lack of time, budget or resort knowledge hold you back from a ski/snowboard trip in Nagano this winter. Experience many of Nagano's best ski areas with guides who have an intimate knowledge; based in the culturally rich town of Yudanaka. Tours can be CUSTOMISED for 3 nights or more. Share
Price p/p From price based on 3-night stay with 2 days skiing/boarding) in a twin share Japanese room with private bathroom.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY in taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 1,065
View Details
 5% Off tours between 13th and 31st March 2024
Nagano Beginner Packages
BEGINNER HOSTED INSTRUCTION PACKAGES
3, 4, 5 or 6 Nights
Ability: Beginner
This package is ideal for beginners (families, groups, couples and solos) who are looking to experience the great Japanese snow and culture, and have some support to learn to ski or snowboard. Packages include ski/snowboard hire, lessons, and the opportunity to visit the snow monkeys. Share
Price p/p
USD 1,065
View Details
 5% Off tours between 13th March and 15th April 2024
Nagano Ski/Board Progression
SKI / SNOWBOARD GUIDED INSTRUCTION
10 Days | 9 Nights | 8 Skiing | Up to 8 Ski Areas
Ability: Intermediate to Strong Intermediate
Learn to ski and ride deep powder with more confidence or improve your on-piste technique whilst checking out some of Nagano's fabulous ski areas away from the masses of foreigners. In addition to the skiing and snowboarding, experience an area rich in culture and history.
Price p/p From price based on per person twin-share room with shared bathroom.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY in taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY in taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 3,008
View Details
 
See all Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area tours that visit Okushiga Kogen here

Backcountry Skiing Tours

Lessons & Resort Tours
SHIGA KOGEN RESORT TOURS & LESSONS
From 1 to 5 hours
Ability: Beginner to Strong Intermediate
Learn to ski or snowboard on the beginner slopes of Shiga Kogen or improve your ability whilst exploring the massive 19 ski areas of Shiga Kogen. Options are available for people to travel from other nearby ski areas such as Nozawa Onsen.
Price p/p *based on per person in a private group for a 1 hour lesson for 23/24 season.
base/invoice currency is Japanese Yen
Displayed rates might vary to actual due to exchange rate fluctuations.
USD 67
View Details
 
Shiga Backcountry Tours
PRIVATE SHIGA KOGEN BACKCOUNTRY GUIDING
Single & Multi-Day Tours
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
Venture into the backcountry of Shiga Kogen with guides with your private group. Have the mountain to yourselves. Go for easy hikes, learn avalanche safety skills, or go ski touring to explore further afield.
Price p/p *based on per person in a private group of 3 for a full day tour for 2024.
base/invoice currency is Japanese Yen
Displayed rates might vary to actual due to exchange rate fluctuations.
USD 105
View Details
 
Guided Powder Tours
SHIGA KOGEN & SURROUNDING RESORTS
Single & Multi-Day Guiding
Ability: Intermediate to Expert
Explore the off-piste and sidecountry at the massive ski area of Shiga Kogen or another nearby ski area. Guiding is for private groups or group tours are available some days.
Price p/p *based on per person in a private group of 5 for a 5 hour tour.
base/invoice currency is Japanese Yen
Displayed rates might vary to actual due to exchange rate fluctuations.
USD 75
View Details
 
See all Backcountry Skiing tours that visit Okushiga Kogen here
200