If it is your first time skiing or snowboarding, if you have never seen snow in your life,
you may have plenty of questions to prepare your trip to Shiga Kogen.
Here we answer your questions to make your experience greater and more comfortable!
🌨️ How cold is Shiga Kogen? 🌞
The average temperatures are between -5 to -10 degrees during January to March. The highest temperatures could be around 0 to 5 degrees when it’s sunny, the lowest temperatures could be around -15 degrees.
It may seem quite cold but when you ski or snowboard, you get warm very easily. A good tip would be to wear multiple layers so you can adapt from cold to warm.
🏔️ How long does the ski season lasts? 🏔️
The snow season could start from the end of November until mid-May especially at Yokoteyama/Shibutoge ski resort which provides the highest altitude slope in Japan.
* Opening dates could be postponed depending on the weather condition.
The best season is from January to the end of March. The quality of snow is perfect in much quantity. Ski resorts start to open gradually slope by slope from the end of November, and close one by one from the 1st of April. During January to March, generally every ski resort is open.
⛄ What do I wear to come to Shiga Kogen during winter season? ⛄
We recommend you to layer your clothing and wear a waterproof outer. It could snow and be windy. It is also important to choose proper shoes for snow. The ground is not only covered with snow but also might be icy and slippery or wet because of the melting snow. Covering your head with a knit cap is highly recommended.
🏂 Can I rent ski or snowboard equipment? ⛷️
Yes! You can come almost empty handed and rent whole ski or snowboard equipment.
A full set of ski, boots, poles or snowboard and boots + jacket and pants is available. You can also rent just one item or if you bring your own ski/snowboard wear, you can rent just ski boots and poles set, or snowboard and boots set.
The rental shops list and more details:
https://www.shigakogen.gr.jp/english/topics/rental-shops-information.html
🥽 What should I bring with me if I want to ski or snowboard? 🧤
Some rental shops don’t provide knit caps, goggles, and gloves. It is recommended to bring your own items. Please refer to the rental shop’s website.
For your comfort and security, it is better to wear a helmet if you try snowboard for the first time. It makes you assured, reduces your fear and protects you. If your knit cap is thin enough, you can put it under the helmet. We recommend also to wear protections especially for snowboard. The first day, you might fall down (and it’s normal). These items are good to make the most of your first snow activity experience!
→What should I wear to complete a ski/snowboard wear?
You may feel cold when you arrive at the resort but sooner you get warm with skiing/snowboarding. We kindly advise you to layer your clothing to regulate your body temperature easily. Base layer shirt and bottom may help you to feel comfortable during activities. It would be nice to wear thick socks and neck warmer which can cover your mouth.
⛷️ Ski or Snowboard? Which should I start with? 🏂
Both are fun and exciting sports!
We often roughly say; ski is easy to stat but hard to get an advanced level, snowboard is hard to start but easier to improve your skill.
You can stand up by yourself easily with ski from the beginning but with a snowboard, you might need time to get used to unusual feeling of having your both feet bound on a board.
🌲 Which ski resort is good for beginners? 🌲
Ichinose Family Front course at Ichinose ski resort is very popular for beginners because of its a kind and wide slope. Because of its popularity, it may be very crowded. You can check the status of the slope with live cameras before you come.
Live camera:
https://shigakogen-ski.or.jp/english/index.html#contents-d
The 1st slope of Okushiga Kogen ski resort is very kind and generally not crowded. There is a kid’s forest course which is perfect for beginners.
Yokoteyama 1st course is very kind and quite wide. The lift is very slow, but it brings you at a quite high altitude so once you arrive at the top, you can enjoy a long ride.
🎫 Which lift pass should I buy? 🎫
If this is your first-time skiing/ snowboarding, a point ticket would be suitable. For the beginners level rider, whole Shiga Kogen Mountain would be too large to move around in one day, so we don’t recommend you purchase an all-mountain lift pass.
The best would be to choose a ski resort on the map and find the lift that will suit you best.
You will find lift’s points from this page:
https://shigakogen-ski.or.jp/lift/index.html
If you are beginner but you have already some experiences or once you get used to skiing/ snowboarding, let’s purchase an area pass. This lift pass allows you to ride wider area.
Then if you want to challenge to move around whole Shiga Kogen area, you can purchase an all-mountain lift pass. It would be a great adventure!
😎 Is there any ski/snowboard school? 😎
Yes! There are several ski and snowboard schools in English or more languages in Shiga Kogen. You can contact them to make your reservation.
Here you will find the list of schools:
https://www.shigakogen.gr.jp/english/topics/ski-snowboard-schools.html
🐇 Enjoy your first-time skiing and snowboarding! 🐇
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