2025 Japan Ski Holiday now booked out!
Our 2 week group Japan ski holiday is full. Places still available on the Europe group ski tour
![MKR1](https://www.estours-travel.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/MKR1.png)
Disappointed in missing out ? don’t be, join our group ski tour to Europe instead – places are still available.
Info below left on site so you can see what to expect on one of our group ski packages.
Shiga Kogen
Shiga Kogen Mountain Resort has mostly remained staunchly Japanese and conservative and is a good all-rounder as a ski holiday destination. It is made up of 18 different ski areas that are largely interlinked via the slopes and a comprehensive lift system that can be accessed off the one lift pass.
With approximately 600 hectares of terrain, and 80+ kilometres of trails, Shiga Kogen is cited to be the largest ski area in Honshu and possibly Japan. The Shiga Kogen piste terrain is varied and ranges from beginners’ slopes to moguls. It is nirvana for intermediates, strong intermediates, and low end advanced riders. As with most Japanese ski resorts, there’s nothing particularly steep at most of the Shiga Kogen ski areas.
Powderhounds.com have bestowed the Shiga Kogen Ski Resort with a best skiing in Japan award for the best intermediate terrain.
Some of the Shiga ski areas have some great off-piste skiing and competition for fresh lines is significantly less than other high profile Nagano ski resorts. But note, discretion is required at several of the Shiga Kogen ski areas because off-piste skiing is sort of tolerated but officially banned.
The other part of Shiga Kogen worth checking out is Yakebitaiyama – one of the larger ski areas within Shiga offering some of the steeper pitches around and topping out at 2,228 m.
Nozawa Onsen Japan
Nozawa Onsen is a hot spring and ski resort village near Nagano. Whilst we are there for the skiing Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort is also a charming village that offers an interesting and traditional Japanese experience. The village is famous for the abundance of hot springs. Steam rises amongst the bustling narrow cobblestone streets and the traditional ryokan, inns and shops. The Nozawa Onsen village is a highlight and lots of the buildings have traditional Japanese architecture and the skiing the added bonus. There is enough variety in the terrain to keep us occupied for a couple of days which I am sure won’t be long enough.
The Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort is one of the most popular ski resorts in Japan for international travellers due to its diversity of terrain, abundance of snow, its family friendliness, and because English speaking guests are well catered for.
Nozawa is a stand-alone ski resort that is reasonably large by Japanese ski resort standards, with 19 lifts (including 2 gondolas), 300 hectares of terrain, 50km of slopes, and an impressive vertical drop of 1,085 metres (565-1,650m). Piste runs are equitably distributed for beginner, intermediate and advanced riders, although Nozawa Onsen is best suited to beginner and advanced skiers and boarders.
Madarao and Tangram
Madarao is connected to the neighbouring Tangram Resort which can be accessed via one of the 10 lifts on the one lift pass. 2 resorts for the price of 1. Mt. Madarao stands 1382 meters tall and has 30 separate courses. There are spectacular views from this ski resort looking out to Myoko Kogen on one side and Nozawa Onsen the other and the Sea of Japan thrown in for good measure.
The ski area features a unique bowl-shape. Since Madarao mountain resort was host to Japan’s first Freestyle Skiing Competition, there are many unique courses to choose from. Madarao offers a variety of terrain for all abilities, however its major attraction is their off-piste skiing, heavy gladed tree runs and a large selection of runs left ungroomed. Madarao has a moderately sized village and with more foreigners beginning to visit the area, the amount of restaurants and bars is increasing.
There are groomed courses, ungroomed courses, the Tree Run courses, Free Ride Park, Kid’s Park, and wave courses. Madarao mountain resort can be enjoyed by everyone from first timers to advanced skiers!
60% of the courses are ungroomed, so there’s a good chance that you’ll be able to enjoy a fluffy, deep powder when you ski.
There are snow schools for English speaker guests.
Get the opportunity to backcountry ride with the local Madarao guides. You can score bottomless turns all within an easy hike out of the resort boundaries.
Your Itinerary
On 8 Feb 2025, shuttle transfer from Tokyo Airport to Shiga Kogen
8 to 15 Feb 2025, 7 nights staying at Shiga Kogen West Wing with breakfast daily and five dinners. (dinners not available at East Wing)
On 15 Feb 2025, shuttle transfer from Shiga Kogen to Nozawa Onsen
15 to 19 Feb 2025, 4 nights at Nozawa View Hotel Shimataya with breakfast daily
19 Feb 2025, shuttle transfer from Nozawa Onsen to Madarao Kogen Resort
19 to 23 Feb 2025, 4 nights at Madarao Kogen Hotel with breakfast
On 23 Feb 2024, shuttle, transfer from Madarao to Tokyo Airport or Shinjuku if preferred
The Japan ski holiday is one of Estours Travel group ski tours. These are ski holiday packages that visit a number of different ski resorts in the one ski tour. Estours has been conducting these ski holidays since 1983. All aspects of your overseas skiing holiday is covered and you will leave with a memorable skiing or boarding experience.
The 2 week Japan ski holiday includes:
- Hotel accommodation in central and convenient locations with daily breakfast and some dinners.
- Pre booked shuttle transfers between airport and ski resorts, as well as inter-resort transfer.
- Ski Lift Tickets. 6 day ski passes in Shiga Kogen, 3 day ski pass in Nozawa Onsen and 3 day ski pass in Madarao
- Group Leader: To ensure all travel arrangements work as planned and to help you familiarise yourself in these resorts, a group leader will be available, subject to minimum group numbers being achieved.
- Top ski resorts: Away from the crowds and in the heart of dry, light champagne powder territory, these resorts will leave you breathless!
Hassle and Stress Free – Estours has been conducting group ski holidays for over 40 years and put together a smooth integrated ski tour with all the essentials included. All you need to do is just relax and enjoy your ski holiday.
Meet new (like minded) skiers and boarders. Don’t worry about not knowing anyone! Remember they are there for the same reason to have a great time with people who are keen to share the fun and excitement with you. Trust us – you won’t want the tour to finish. Great times full of fun and entertaining moments amongst great friends, that will bring you back each year for more.
Door to Door convenience. Skiing in different ski resorts in a foreign country is tricky if you are unfamiliar with the area. These group Japan ski holidays include resort to resort transfers. Once on tour, you do not need to worry about what happens or where do I go next and how do I get there?
More time on slope. With everything organised for you, means more time to spend on the slopes. Your Tour Leader/s have planned an exciting and fun ski holiday group tour that works for all ages, abilities and interests.
Remember, there will always be someone to apres ski with
Want to know more?
Contact one of our friendly consultants who will be more than happy to discuss your ski holiday plans. They will explain all about our group Japan ski holiday / tour and answer any of your questions (02) 4284 1688.
Twin share prices start from $4,945 pp
Single share price starts from $6,445
(Please note that alternate properties may need to be used in the smaller resorts. You will be advised on confirmation)
You will stay at these hotels
Shiga Kogen West Wing
SKW
Kogen Prince West Resort Hotel is located at the base of the Yakebitaiyama ski area offering fantastic ski-in/ ski-out accommodation.
The West Wing does have a great open air shared bath where you can soak in the warmth and rest yourself while gazing out at the beautiful snow covered vistas and feel refreshed from the day’s skiing.
The West Wing has an open plan cafeteria style restaurant that serves up a casual fare…. a family fun setting, but again surrounded with superb mountain and slope side views.
As is the case at all non-westernised ski resorts in Japan, night life is limited so don’t expect much in the way of shops, restaurants, or bars,
Shiga Kogen is the closest ski resort to the snow monkeys where you can partake in some culturally interesting day trips.
Nozawa View Hotel Shimataya
NVH
This spacious, airy property offers very comfortable western and Japanese accommodation, all a short walk from the moving walkway and thence the slopes. Nozawa View Hotel Shimataya is a non-smoking property and has in-house onsens.
Many of its rooms have stunning views of Mount Kenashi above the village, and the Chikuma Valley below. The multilingual staff will make sure you enjoy your stay to the maximum.
Nozawa Onsen is a compact mountain village and nothing is more than a short walk away from the View Hotel. Particularly close by is the Shinyu onsen, with the iconic O-yu onsen less than 5 minutes’ walk away.
It is close to other major Nagano ski resorts so it’s easy to combine with other destination resorts.
The village has reasonable nightlife (for a Japanese ski resort) and the restaurants and Japanese cuisine are also a highlight.
Madarao Kogen Resort
The Madarao Kogen Hotel is conveniently located at the top of the slopes of Madarao Kogen Ski Resort with wonderful views. It offers indoor/outdoor hot spring baths – the natural onsen bath has the best quality water that soothes your muscles and replenishes your skin after a hard day on the slopes. The lounge area with an open fire is everyone’s favorite spot to hang out.
The air conditioned rooms feature an en suite bathroom, a flat-screen TV and a seating area. Each comes with yukata robes, a green tea set and free toiletries.
At this Madarao hotel, guests can soak in the indoor/outdoor public hot spring baths, grab a drink at the bar or shop for souvenirs at the gift shop. Ski equipment rental/storage, luggage storage service and a coin launderette are also available on site
To Book or Enquire
Call now on 02 4284 1688
or contact us on line
or
Download booking form complete and send to Estours Travel.