princehotels.com/en/ski/shigakogen  |  Yakebitaiyama, Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun  |  2+81-269-34-3111  |  Days 8:30-16:00, Nights (Sat only) 18:00-20:00  |  Travelling times to Yakebitaiyama Ski Resort Tokyo: 4 hrs (car), Osaka: 5 hrs 30 min (car)

SHIGA KOGEN’S BIGGEST

Yakebitaiyama Ski Resort is the largest of the interconnected resorts in the Shiga Kogen area, and has an even spread of great courses for beginner, intermediate and expert level riders. The resort was the stage of the first ever Olympic snowboarding race during the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, and this very race track is now its Olympic Course – a 650-metre speed run with a 30-degree incline.

Yakebitaiyama’s lengthy slope selection also includes the intermediate-level Panorama Course, a 2.5-kilometre ride with magnificent views of the Japan Alps.

In total, Yakebitaiyama has 15 courses as well as Yakebi Terrain Park, which has exciting features such as drum, curve rail, kickers and spine. English lessons and backcountry guiding are also available.

Local attractions include the famous snow monkeys of Jigokudani Monkey Park and Togakushi Kids’ Ninja Village, and resort guests enjoy the convenience of a ski-in, ski-out Prince Hotel.