Asahi Shizenkan

The place wasn’t crowded, which was great, and the powder snow was unbelievable. My legs gave out, but falling didn’t hurt at all.

My six-year-old was nervous about the lifts since this was only her second time skiing, but everything felt relaxed. I’d really recommend this resort for kids taking their first ski trip. We came because children get in free on weekends, and by chance there was an event where they could meet Usahi. The kids had a great time!

The lodge is clean, and the toilets are nice. It’s a good place to practice, with gentle slopes overall and beginner trails that are clearly separated and easy to ski. The intermediate runs are a bit higher up and wider, so they’re easier to ski too. We may have parked in the wrong lot, since we ended up near the beginner trails. The lifts there often move slowly or stop, as they’re beginner trails.

Both rest houses served tasty food, and the 2.5-portion ramen surprised me. The lift ticket is also valid for 100 yen at shops in Asahi Town on the way back. The snow was excellent, and the rest house was clean with a great local feel. It’s an amazing place for powder skiing, though that can be hard for children. The runs are split between upper and lower areas, for intermediate skiers and beginners respectively. Getting between them is difficult. To go from the top to the bottom, you have to take off your skis and walk through the parking lot, which was tough for adults and kids alike.