Minekata, Hakuba, Nagano

The aim was just to get a quick impression to help decide if we should return on a powderday. Might not be the best way to write a resort review but some resorts are so small in Japan that even after one hour and just a few runs you simply know if you will return or if a resort is more suitable for the other kind of skiers.

It was funny to find out that there is another resort I didn't know about until recently, right next door to the resorts I had been skiing for 3 years. About a 15min drive from downtown Hakuba. 2 chair lifts and a few runs. No idea how they can survive as the resort was “dead”, even on a Sunday. Another good resort if you are a beginner or intermediate skier and if you like to have “your own resort” for a day. In terms of tree skiing you can get some very short but steep turns off the groomers but nothing to get excited about.

Go skiers left from the top, down the flat run for 2min and then walk a minute up to the other side of the small buildings. On a bluebird day you will enjoy a breathtaking view over the valley and the mountains. You can see many resorts from a different angle like never before. To do so you can get a single ride ticket for 400 yen.

Accomodation

http://www.hakubapowderlodging.com/ — A great place to spend your time in Hakuba. Lodge with various options to stay. Single, double, and quad rooms, suites. Internet, common kitchen, living and TV room, etc.

Tip

Go there to enjoy the most amazing view.

Food

Every Friday there is an Aussie BBQ at the White Horse Hotel. Great food for 2000 yen. Authentic Japanese sushi restaurant. Can’t recall the name. Some of the best sushi I ever had. Walk from train station along the main road for about 10min. Vis a vis of “Apple xxx” shopping. Very small and they don’t speak English. Might be difficult to order but well worth the effort. Not cheap but soooo gooood. Fantastic authentic Japanese food at Oshimos (don’t know the spelling but make sure to go there). About 1000 yen, and you get a lot for it.

How To Get There

Car about 15min from Hakuba, NO Shuttle bus.

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