Shiga Kogen 2019/2020 & 2020/2021

Melskius , hubby, 10yr old, 6yr old
Feb24 - mar 2 - Prince West.

 

In planning stage. Dates, location still to be determined, but likely to be around Feb15 for about a week.

 

The 2019/2020 Nagaden winter express bus schedule has just been released.
http://www.nagadenbus.co.jp.e.yv.hp.transer.com/operation_information/2019/10/20192020.php
https://www.nagadenbus.co.jp/news/657e5fc0c0661f91c228d53c18ce129e2eef507f.pdf

 

I'll see if I can get up there around that time!!!!

There's a long weekend on 22/23/24th Feb, and I was thinking about going on a bus trip tour to Shiga Kogen that weekend. They usually stay at the Shiga Highlands Hotel Annex.
But I can make other arrangements if that doesn't line up.

 

Feb 2nd-9th, Snowbuck 29 and Snowbuck staying at Hotel Grand Phenix, Okushiga Kogen.

 

Ah, that won't work then. Feb 22 is when I fly out from Osaka, so that bit is fixed. So last ski day would be Feb 21 unfortunately.

 

Ok, well I'll work out something else!!!

 

Will probably aim to stay somewhere around Ichinose area.

 

Ok!

 

Jje +5 staying at Khuls, Ichinose 7th Feb to 18th. 1st J resort repeat in 10y☹️

 

Mr & Mrs Silva and Mstr 10 - 2nd - 10th of January staying at Aspen Shiga

 

Random days depending on conditions

 

I’ll be there 5-10 February. Staying at Alpenburg (neighbours with the Silva family ).

 

Feeling envious - very good memories of Shiga Kogen from January of this year (but I will be in Canada this coming January instead ).

 

Looks like I might need to be there in Feb as a guide!!!

I've spent probably 30 days at Shiga Kogen.

 

That first photo can't be Shiga Kogen.... the mountains behind are too high!!! The 2nd photo could be Takmagahara.

 

I've had a total of 15 days at Shiga Kogen. 8 in 1986, 7 in 1987. Will be interesting to see how much I remember.

 

Mitchthewitch + Mr 18 + Miss 16, 14Jan-20Jan Aspen Shiga.

 

Just saw that too! Too busy running round the block to make sure I can get in my ski pants!

 

There's less lifts!!! There used to be an old ropeway out of Maruike.... gone, but it's bar now, with the two cars used as drinking nooks!!! I remember seeing the old cable, but never saw the cars moving.

 

Ok - silva family January not Feb

 

Willy + Mr 19 + Miss 17
10th - 18th Jan Price West wing

 

Gday,
(Thought I’d add my question here rather than start a fresh thread.)

I am planning my first trip to Japan - 3 weeks from mid Feb to early March 2020.

I have more less teed up 10 days at a v handy lodge at Happo in Hakuba.

I’ll have about a week to get back to Narita post Hakuba.

As an advance tele skier looking for a bit of soft fresh snow (but on lifts so off piste), does anyone know if it will be worth a sneaky quick couple of days at Shiga Kogen? Esp midweek?

Or do I spend more time site-seeing around Say Kyoto/Matsumuto?

Not really that interested in more groomers - Hakuba should provide enough!

Cheers SG.

And is thete any good value non hostel accom for a single at OkuShigakogen? Thanks

 

A few misconceptions...... (since you siad it was your first trip to Japan.
" Not really that interested in more groomers - Hakuba should provide enough!"
So you're thinking that Hakuba provides just groomers, and no off piste? Realistically, Hakuba will provide more off piste than Shiga Kogen.... Hakuba have areas where you are allowed to access off piste or gated side country. Shiga Kogen, while some runs are not groomed, offers only a few places where you can access gated terrain.
The main advantage is that mid weeks are quiet at Shiga Kogen, so competition for un-groomed snow is less, while Hakuba has a lot more foreigners, so it can get tracked out quickly mid-week, unless you know how to find secret stashes.
Make sure that you are not tempted to ride Happo most days, if you are staying very near to there. (Where are you staying?) Also, if you're wanting to economise, the Hakuba Valley Pass ticket ends up being more expensive for 10 days, than if you buy discounted coupon tickets (I will post the coupon thread soon)

At Shiga Kogen, if you have an idea about where the powder is not tracked, then you can still find it inbounds.

If you are planning 3 weeks mid Feb to early March, you can expect less powder than if you go 2 weeks earlier.
Go skiing....
If you go to Kyoto, it will cost you an extra 28,000yen round trip from Tokyo.
You can visit Matsumoto on the way out of Hakuba (or as a rest day at Hakuba), and you can do a number of day trips out of Tokyo instead: Kamakura. Nikko. Hakkone.

 

Thanks Sandy some really good ideas, esp P vs Off piste, hope to really seek put soft & fresh while not taking major risks being new to Japan & skiing solo. Still happy/keen to get local advice and use my own instincts to find the less tracked stuff.

I know those there’s a huge no. threads re this region, but do any budgetish hotels/lodges come to mind for a solo skier midweek at or handy to Okushiga Kogen(?).

Looks like its easy to spend more than $2-300 per room per night in SK. Be good to find a comfy room for one at <= $100?

And would I have to book if late Feb mid week or could I rock up (not w/e of course!)?

I note your advice re dates vs Pow.

I can shift fwd a bit - I want to to miss the crowding around the Chinese NY. I assume from 5-10 Feb I’d be fairly safe? Thanks again for any more advice.

Btw, I need to look up the Happo area lodge name - our ‘large club’ is leasing this year.

Its right near the Gondola base.

Oh & I note Powderhound list the better resorts for off piste in Hakuba. One of the more northern areas sounded better than Happo which seems mostly on piste.

Cheers. ( ;-)

SG.

 

If they list "one of the more northern areas", then they mean Cortina..... I NEVER go there on a powder day, because every man and his dog goes there, and it's tracked out in 40min... Meanwhile I go elsewhere and still make tracks into the afternoon.

HOWEVER, this is a Shiga Kogen thread.
I'll be at Hakuba until about 9th Feb.
Shiga Kogen maybe 2 or 3 times (mid Jan, Feb and March)

 

No it wasn't Cortina Sandy

It was Tsugaike - not much advanced on piste but good tree ski access - arms banded gate access.

Do you concur?

My take - quite a mixed bag at Hakuba.

Of course by late Feb, elevation & aspect may be as important as off piste access - so it seems?

 

That's getting busier a Tsugaike as well.... Everywhere that's "designated" as a powder zone tends to eventually get a lot of traffic. Also, you need to be aware that some parts of that area are dangerous... Steep trees and cliffs.
In general, you also need to be aware of many terrain traps in Japan.... Getting stuck is a major, but underestimated one.

 

Yes cheers Sandy, I have a family to return to ⛷ hopefully intact??

 

Sounds like SK could provide a midweek hit on piste if timing right? Bit different vibe too!!

And a bit of a reccy for when my family can jpin me - next time??

 

Ok, so skiing solo, I'd be looking at Penke Panke for accommodation at Hakuba. They have a couple of single rooms.

 

Thats probably as early as I’d be at Hakuba.

I could do SK first (use my first midweek) & then get Hakuba on the w/e?

 

I'm not a Shiga expert but I'm also travelling solo and found that if I was happy with a Tatami mat room / futons and shared bathing then budget options improved.

I need my western bed and preferably an ensuite so have paid more for that

It's also worth emailing accommodation and checking their individual websites as not everything is on Booking.com etc. That's how I found my hotel. On the other hand my second choice of hotel was cheaper on Booking.com than the hotel website.

 

Thanks Kimski. Will do that. Sussing pictures can help a lot. (;-)