Ichinose Family

Nine groomed runs split evenly between green, red, and black - sounds simple until you realize the 'family area' has genuine steeps at the top when other lifts close for spring. The 300m vertical isn't massive, but north-facing slopes hold dry powder longer than you'd expect, and when it gets icy, at least you know why.

Ski school central on weekends with armies of Japanese kids in matching bibs, blissfully quiet on weekdays when you'll have 1,950m peaks mostly to yourself. It's proper skiing without the pretense - locals teaching their grandkids, visiting families from Tokyo, and the occasional gaijin who figured out this is how you access the rest of Shiga Kogen without the Niseko circus.

"Small ski resort, but super easy going, perfect for a chilly day!!!"

— Google Review

• ✓Families who want legitimate skiing without black diamond anxiety - your kids can progress from bunny hill to actual mountain
• ✓Intermediate skiers ready to explore Shiga Kogen's 80+ runs but want a mellow home base to return to
• ✓Powder hunters on a budget - same snow as the famous areas, half the crowds, ski-in onsen at your hotel

• ✗You need double blacks to feel alive - the steeps here are respectable, not heart-stopping
• ✗Your Japanese extends to 'arigato' and you panic without English menus - this is local Japan, not international resort Japan
• ✗You're chasing nightlife - the village is asleep by 9pm and that's exactly how everyone likes it

Mid-January through February for the deepest, driest powder - Ichinose's 1,650m base elevation keeps snow cold and light even during warm spells. Avoid New Year week when every Tokyo family descends with ski school reservations, but embrace weekday January for empty lifts and fresh tracks.

1. Assuming 'Family' means boring - the blacks up top are legitimate when everything's open
2. Not realizing night dining shuts down early - eat big at lunch or depend on your hotel restaurant
3. Booking weekend lessons last-minute - ski schools here get packed with Japanese families planning months ahead

1. Spring skiing hack: when other Shiga areas start closing lifts, Ichinose keeps running because it's the main access point - you'll ski steeper terrain by default
2. Skip the base lodge ramen and walk 5 minutes to any hotel restaurant - better food, half the price, and actual locals eating there
3. Don't book weekend ski lessons in January without calling weeks ahead - every Tokyo family with kids under 12 had the same brilliant idea