As the little brother to nearby Shiga Kogen – Japan’s largest area of interconnected ski fields – the ski resorts of Kita-Shiga Kogen flies under the radar and is largely unknown to international visitors. Yet the existence of multiple resorts within easy reach of Nagano City, via Yudanaka Station, makes Kita-Shiga Kogen a good option for many people. Of the resorts in the area, Ryuoo Ski Park is the most popular and offers the most bang for your buck. Relatively small with lonely 15 sku runs, Ryuoo has a good 1080 metres of vertical (850-1930) and its known for its powder.

The resort is long, narrow and effectively split into three sections: easy (and often crowded) beginner slopes at the bottom, intermediate courses in the midsection and advanced terrain and often excellent powder at the top. The resort is dominated by the Skyland Express Ropeway which ascends to the top of the resort at 1770 metres and the Sora Terrace Café – a popular destination in both winter and late-spring to autumn.

Other nearby resorts include X-Jam Takaifuji, Yomase Onsen Ski Resort and Kita-Shinshu Kijimadaira Ski Resort. For accommodation listings, see our ‘Kita-Shiga Kogen Area’ hotel page.