Ryuoo Ski Park

Ryuoo delivers exceptional powder skiing with 18 runs across 1,080m of vertical, including the coveted Kiotoshi ungroomed zones that hold fresh tracks long after other resorts are tracked out. The massive 166-person Skyland Express ropeway shoots you straight to 1,930m of north-facing steeps in one shot, eliminating the bottlenecks you'd fight at more famous resorts. The upper advanced terrain stays deep thanks to high elevation and north-facing exposure, while weekdays feel like you've got a private mountain.

Ryuoo has 35% beginner terrain with wide cruisers perfect for building confidence, but the resort's real strength lies in its advanced powder zones. If you're strictly a beginner, you'll miss out on what makes Ryuoo special - the upper Kiotoshi terrain requires intermediate+ skills and a mandatory helmet. The wide fall lines and forgiving snow do make it ideal for intermediates ready to push into steeper terrain.

Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagano (about 1.5 hours), then catch the Nagaden train to Yudanaka, followed by a seasonal shuttle bus or taxi to the resort. Total journey is 2.5-3 hours door-to-door. Download translation apps before you go - English support is very limited once you arrive.

Early January through late February delivers the deepest, driest powder thanks to the 1,930m elevation and north-facing terrain. Weekday powder hunting in January is when this place truly shines - you'll have legitimate powder stashes to yourself. Avoid New Year week when even the massive ropeway can't handle the crowds.

Limited English - basic signs and ticket counters exist, but don't expect much beyond that. Staff communication is mostly pointing and gestures, and there's minimal English signage throughout the mountain. Download translation apps beforehand and come prepared to navigate with limited verbal communication.

Rarely crowded - weekdays feel like a private mountain where you'll ride the massive ropeway with a handful of locals and have powder stashes to yourself. Weekend mornings from 8:30-10am see queues of 20+ minutes at the main ropeway, but hit the side lifts first and you'll have fresh tracks while everyone waits. The distinctly Japanese crowd means you won't find the international circus that plagues other resorts.

That enormous 166-person ropeway shooting straight up 880m of vertical in one shot - no congested base area bottlenecks, no mid-mountain transfers, just one smooth ride to powder fields that most people never find. It's where powder hunters go when they want untracked lines without the crowds, and somehow the Kiotoshi zones still hold fresh tracks while more famous resorts are tracked out by 10am.

Yes, Ryuoo offers night skiing with extended hours on the lower lifts. The main mountain operates 8am-5pm, but night skiing gives you additional time to ride after the standard day ends. This is particularly useful during peak season when you want to maximize your time on the mountain.

Bring your own helmet or buy one - the advanced Kiotoshi terrain that everyone raves about requires one, and rentals aren't clearly advertised. The ropeway runs every 20 minutes, not continuously, so check the schedule or you'll stand around confused. Skip the main ropeway during weekend mornings and hit the side lifts first for fresh tracks while everyone queues for 20+ minutes.

Yes, tree skiing is available in the advanced Kiotoshi ungroomed courses and upper Skyland zone as part of marked runs. You'll need a helmet to access these areas, which offer legitimate powder bowls and tree sections that stay deep thanks to the high elevation and north-facing exposure. These zones are where the real action happens and what keeps powder hunters coming back.