Shizukuishi Prince Hotel

Shizukuishi’s slopes were the highlight, with runs for different abilities, a good layout, and good chairs. The hotel is right by the ropeway, so it’s great for skiing straight in and out. Rooms are generous and have what you need, though they show their age, and the staff were efficient and attentive. Food choices are limited. The buffet is fine at first but gets repetitive, and management should rotate the options each night. If you book, keep in mind the other restaurants are about a 15-minute drive away. I’d have given four stars if the buffet were better or there were à la carte choices.

Everything being on the first floor made the stay easy: reception, cloakroom, small bar and shop, the seventeen ice machine, onsen, and rentals. The little shop had cheap instant noodles, etc. It never felt crowded. The onsen was beautiful, especially the outdoor hot bath facing a snowy field, one of my favorite outdoor baths ever. I did miss having cold plunges and other services such as a sauna and brushes. Laundry is on the third floor, but there are only two machines. Beer vending machines are on every other floor. The snowstorm helped make it a great trip. The kids switched from skiing to snowboarding and managed the beginner slope easily, while others went straight to the other chairs and did well. Rentals were smooth. We had a bigger room on the eighth floor, with space for huge suitcases, drying gear, and family to come in for Sumo watching. Breakfast and dinner were good and didn’t get boring, even though the buffet was largely the same each day. There was also a restaurant, food trucks, and other activities if booked. I’m not sure we’d have enjoyed it as much without the snow. Not all chairs opened every day, cutting off large, important parts of the mountain. I was glad they kept at it and opened some chairs after midday, but there was no live information on the website, social media, or at the hotel or lifts, just accountants in Japanese. We loved the service and how easy things were, with options for all abilities on the mountain when the lifts were open.

We felt at home here thanks to the friendly, helpful staff, who gave us excellent service. The ski facilities were great, and although some reviews call the resort dated, that didn’t affect our stay. We thought it was good value and loved being here. Hope to come back.

A very convenient ski-in, ski-out resort, especially for older skiers who don’t want a long walk to the slopes. The facilities are a bit old, but there’s everything you need for a comfortable, enjoyable stay. I’d especially recommend it for beginners and elderly guests.