Ryuoo Ski Park

Ryuoo is geared toward snowboarders. The terrain park is well-kept with a solid variety of features, and the resort even offers free snowboard lessons (currently in Japanese only). If you're a park rider or want to progress your freestyle skills, this is a strong pick in the Shiga Kogen area.

The ropeway at Ryuoo is one of the largest in the world — it carries 166 people at once and gets you to the summit in minutes. From there, a 6km long run takes you all the way back to the base. The scale of the vertical and the speed of the access make for efficient, satisfying laps.

At the top of the ropeway sits SORA Terrace, a viewing deck at 1,770m where you can look out over a sea of clouds on the right day. It's become one of Nagano's most photographed spots. Even non-skiers in your group will enjoy the ride up and the café at the top.