Check out what other Ski Japan Guide readers think about resorts all around Japan. The latest reviews are posted to the top of the page. You can also enter a resort name in the search box below and find any reviews for that resort that have been posted. Enjoy!
| RESORT
NAME: |
Katashina Kogen, Gunma |
Skier |
| READERS
NAME: |
Oz
Member
Personal page here
|
| DATE
VISITED: |
21-23 March |
| SNOW
CONDITIONS: |
OK for end of season |
| PROS
: |
Great for kids, no snowboarders allowed |
| CONS
: |
Slow lifts, no snowboarders allowed, quite small |
| REVIEW: |
This resort is really good for families. It has the Miffy rabbit as its logo, and there are lots of facilities for kids, eg. a rubber tyre snow run complete with its own lift, and a huge plastic crocodile with a slippery dip or something inside it. So basically if you're looking for a good resort to take the kids to, this is it.
If you're adults wanting a good hard days skiing with long steep runs and fast lifts, go elsewhere.
The resort is small, but has at least one nice run for each level of skier, though most runs are intermediate level.
Unfortunately, all the lifts are very slow - it seems like you're on the lift for ages, but actual skiing time is over before you know it! Most runs are fairly short.
Although the resort is geared for kids, some lifts don't have safety bars, so make sure your kids don't wriggle around too much on them!
The weekend I was there, they had a fun parent & child ski pole race (kids had to be primary school age, and there were different categories for lower and upper level primary school). It was held on a short intermediate course. Best combined time of the parent and child pairs won. Although there were prizes and certificates for 1st, 2nd and 3rd placegetters, the emphasis was on having a good time. All competitor's names were put in a box and drawn out for prizes. EVERYONE ended up getting a prize, whether it was a Miffy rabbit mug, or a mountain bike or a set of kids skis!
Food facilities on the mountain were good. There was a nice eatery halfway up the mountain, and more choices at the bottom of the hill.
All runs eventually come out at the bottom of the hill, so it's almost impossible to get lost.
We went by car, and stayed in a nice minshuku (cheap privately-run accommodation) called Tenjinso, in Katashina Mura (Katashina village), a couple of minutes drive away from the resort. I think there was accommodation on the mountain itself too. |
| OTHER REVIEWS made by reader
Oz (6 in total) |
| OTHER REVIEWS of Katashina Kogen Resort (1 in total) |
| READER PHOTOS submitted of Katashina Kogen Resort (1 in total) |
| This Resort Review was submitted : Thursday 27th March 2003, 11:33am |
|
Main
SnowJapan.Com Resort Reviews page
|
| RESORT
NAME: |
ARAI MOUNTAIN & SPA, Niigata |
|
| READERS
NAME: |
oo
Member
Personal page here
|
| DATE
VISITED: |
29th Jan 03 |
| SNOW
CONDITIONS: |
Excellent - almost too much - snowing fiercly |
| PROS
: |
Snow, resort generally, onsen, food |
| CONS
: |
The blizzard that was going on. |
| REVIEW: |
Crazy weather.
Crazy snow.
Crazy wind.
But what a great place. I plan to go back to make the most of the little village like place they've got going on at the base.
It's not the cheapest of places, but if that is not a problem and you want a good comfortable "resort feeling", then ARAI will surely not disappoint.
The onsen were really good too - especially outside with the snow falling. Very nice. |
| OTHER REVIEWS made by reader
oo (6 in total) |
| OTHER REVIEWS of ARAI MOUNTAIN & SPA Resort (30 in total) |
| READER JOURNALS submitted about ARAI MOUNTAIN & SPA Resort (26 in total) |
| READER PHOTOS submitted of ARAI MOUNTAIN & SPA Resort (148 in total) |
| This Resort Review was submitted : Thursday 30th January 2003, 2:16pm |
|
Main
SnowJapan.Com Resort Reviews page
|
| RESORT
NAME: |
GALA Yuzawa, Niigata |
Snowboarder |
| READERS
NAME: |
oo
Member
Personal page here
|
| PROS
: |
Easy to get too, usually good snow |
| CONS
: |
Narrow, sometimes crowded |
| REVIEW: |
GALA, like other people have said, people tend to either love it or hate it. It really depends on when you go there. Go after some good snow (and it does get good snow), on a weekday when there's not many people there and it can be a great day out. Go on a crowded weekend with less-than-best snow and it can suck. Makes you choice. |
| OTHER REVIEWS made by reader
oo (6 in total) |
| OTHER REVIEWS of GALA Yuzawa Resort (40 in total) |
| READER JOURNALS submitted about GALA Yuzawa Resort (22 in total) |
| READER PHOTOS submitted of GALA Yuzawa Resort (250 in total) |
| This Resort Review was submitted : Wednesday 6th November 2002, 11:32am |
|
Main
SnowJapan.Com Resort Reviews page
|
| RESORT
NAME: |
Mikuni, Niigata |
Snowboarder |
| READERS
NAME: |
oo
Member
Personal page here
|
| PROS
: |
are there any? |
| CONS
: |
small, not as good as nearby Naeba |
| REVIEW: |
Small place round the back of Naeba. We went there once to check it out and were really disappointed with it hoping for so much more. Best to stick with Naeba and Asagai across the road from there. |
| OTHER REVIEWS made by reader
oo (6 in total) |
| OTHER REVIEWS of Mikuni Resort (1 in total) |
| This Resort Review was submitted : Saturday 2nd November 2002, 5:38pm |
|
Main
SnowJapan.Com Resort Reviews page
|
| RESORT
NAME: |
Niseko Grand Hirafu, Hokkaido |
Snowboarder |
| READERS
NAME: |
oo
Member
Personal page here
|
| PROS
: |
Powder, vibe |
| CONS
: |
Too far! |
| REVIEW: |
Famous for being famous, best not to go with expectations too high - but you probably won't be disappointed. Amazing snow if you hit the place at the right time, probably the best in Japan. Let's Niseko! |
| OTHER REVIEWS made by reader
oo (6 in total) |
| OTHER REVIEWS of Niseko Grand Hirafu Resort (74 in total) |
| READER JOURNALS submitted about Niseko Grand Hirafu Resort (98 in total) |
| READER PHOTOS submitted of Niseko Grand Hirafu Resort (939 in total) |
| This Resort Review was submitted : Thursday 31st October 2002, 4:18pm |
|
Main
SnowJapan.Com Resort Reviews page
|
Page
1 Of
1
|
|
|
| |
|
|
