Shiga Kogen Ski Resort

The Shiga Kogen Ski Area (�u�ꍂ��, Shiga Kōgen) is a group of over a dozen ski resorts that have joined together to create the largest combined ski area in Japan. Shiga Kogen is so large that it would take at least two days to cover it all, yet a single lift ticket gives you access to the nearly 50 lifts, gondolas and ropeways in the area.

Located in the highlands of Nagano Prefecture, Shiga Kogen is divided broadly into two areas that are joined at a central intersection near the Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki bus stop. The southern area leads to the top of the 2305 meter tall Mount Yokote and has ski runs and hot springs along the way to the summit.

The northern area leads to Oku Shiga Kogen and is flanked by 2000 meter high peaks providing an immense area for skiers and snowboarders to explore. The Higashidateyama Resort hosted the slalom and giant slalom events of the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics.

Lift tickets give you access to all of the resorts in Shiga Kogen, and most of the ski areas are connected such that you can easily travel between them on ski or snowboard; however, there is also a free shuttle bus that connects the various resorts during the ski season.

Accommodation is provided by the many hotels located throughout the area, especially around the central intersection. Shiga Kogen does not have much of a town, so after-ski activities usually take place at the hotel. Entertainment can also be found at the nearby hot spring resort towns of Shibu Onsen and Yudanaka Onsen or the Jigokudani Monkey Park, whose wild monkeys bathe in natural hot springs.