Shiga Kogen Yakebitaiyama Ski Resort

Yakebitaiyama is one of the highest resorts in Shiga Kogen, and the snow quality reflects it. Two gondolas provide fast access to the summit area, so you're not spending half your morning on slow chairlifts. The efficient access means more runs per day — especially valuable on short trips.

Most of Yakebitaiyama's terrain is medium-pitch groomed runs, which makes it ideal for intermediate skiers and snowboarders looking to build confidence and push their limits. But if you want a real challenge, the Olympic course from the 1998 Nagano Games is here — a wide, steep, open run that's exhilarating to charge down.

The Shiga Kogen Prince Hotel (East/South/West wings) connects directly to the slopes. South Wing even loads onto a gondola right from the hotel. Night skiing runs until 20:00 on the East Course, so you can squeeze in extra laps after dinner. It's a convenient, self-contained base for exploring Yakebitaiyama and the neighboring Shiga Kogen zones.