Myōkō Suginohara

Myōkō Suginohara delivers exceptional skiing with one of Japan's longest runs at 8.5km from summit to base, dropping 1,124 vertical meters across 17 runs. The resort receives 13+ meters of annual snowfall with powder quality that rivals Niseko but without the crowds. The upper mountain (1,500-1,800m) holds serious powder from Japan Sea storms, and weekdays feel like your private mountain with minimal lift lines.

Yes, with 40% beginner terrain across 17 runs, Myōkō Suginohara offers solid beginner options. However, this resort is better suited for intermediates ready to improve their stamina on long runs rather than first-timers. Fair warning: limited English support means you'll need to navigate lessons and facilities with minimal language assistance.

Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagano (around 1.5-2 hours), then catch a local train plus bus or taxi to reach the resort. Total journey time is 2.5-3 hours door-to-door. Plan your connections carefully as English signage becomes limited once you leave the shinkansen.

January to mid-February delivers the deepest powder from the resort's 13.4 meters of annual Japan Sea snowfall. Avoid New Year week when even this quiet mountain sees crowds - weekdays in January are pure gold with empty lifts and fresh tracks on that legendary 8.5km descent.

Limited English - you'll find basic signs and ticket counter communication, but don't expect much beyond pointing and gesturing. This is a Japanese skiers' mountain where most visitors are domestic, so bring translation apps and be prepared to navigate with minimal English support throughout the resort and base village.

Rarely crowded - weekdays feel like your private mountain with just a few locals. Even weekends only see moderate crowds from 9am-2pm, then things quiet down again. The fast-moving lifts mean minimal wait times once you're on the mountain, especially compared to more tourist-heavy resorts.

That 8.5km top-to-bottom run isn't just marketing - it's a legitimate leg-burner that drops you through multiple climate zones from alpine powder to base village. Every descent feels like a mini expedition rather than just another run, making it unique among Japan's ski resorts. The combination of serious vertical (1,124m) and uncrowded slopes rewards fitness and commitment.

Snowboarders should know the bottom connector trails are extremely flat requiring significant walking and unstrapping. Build up leg strength beforehand - that famous 8.5km run is a legitimate endurance test that will humble even strong skiers. Skip the crowded main runs and head to the tree runs in the upper Suginohara zone where locals find powder stashes, and pack your own lunch since mountain dining gets mixed reviews.

Yes, the upper resort offers excellent tree runs with great snow quality - this is where locals go to find powder stashes and escape the few tourists. The tree skiing zones provide better snow preservation than exposed runs and add variety to that long descent. Head there first thing after the gondola opens for the best conditions.