Bandai Ski Resorts 磐梯山 スキーリゾート

Mt. Bandai's peak soars 1,816 meters into the heavens. This high altitude means a lengthy ski season which, on the backside of the mountain, can stretch out until May. Alternatively, ski the front side of the mountain, with amazing views overlooking Lake Inawashiro . On either side, Bandai Ski Resorts offer you a great time in the winter months.

Get here by shinkansen, then rapid train service.

Some hotels offer shuttle service from Koriyama Station, the closest Shinkansen stop. From Tokyo , the bullet train takes about 80 minutes.

Otherwise, transfer at Koriyama Station to Inawashiro Station. Use the Ban-etsu West Line, about 40 minutes, and take a bus or taxi to the ski resorts.

Hoshino Resorts Alts Bandai is a modern ski resort and one of the largest in the country. It offers a balance of skiing activities—perfect for families and advanced skiers. Beginners should warm up in the wide Family Zone, then conquer their fears on the forgiving beginner trails. Go wild on steep slopes, and powder and packed courses, and moguls, pole courses, and try out some new tricks. The 22 courses are composed of an almost equal balance of beginner, intermediate, and advanced courses. Alts also offers night skiing until late into the evening.

Inawashiro Ski Resort consists of two interconnected resorts. The area is well developed for tourism, offering soothing hot springs at several Japanese-style inns. Visit weekdays to skip the crowds and enjoy the breathtaking view of the large Inawashiro Lake . Inawashiro is lower in elevation, so try to visit after a fresh snowfall.

The backside ski resorts of Mt. Bandai are less crowded and offer an additional two months of skiing, all the way until May. However, they are much smaller in size.

The Grandeco Snow Resort features excellent snow conditions within its 500-meter elevation change (1,010 meters to 1,590 meters). If you are a higher-level skier or snowboarder, challenge yourself on the mogul and slalom runs.

Hoshino Resorts Nekoma is a mid-sized ski resort. Living up to its name, “demonic cat,” there are more black runs for advanced skiers than the other Bandai resorts. They max at a manageable 33 degrees gradient. Freshly fallen, high-quality snow makes this resort a favorite for powder lovers.

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