HOTEL de L’ALPAGE offers a dedicated dry room for winter sports enthusiasts.

Discreetly located beside the entrance, this essential facility allows wet outerwear and equipment to be thoroughly dried after a day outdoors. A designated space is available for securely storing skis and snowboards, and the room is equipped with an automatic locking system to ensure the safe storage of valuable gear.

With this facility in place, guests can enjoy winter sports in complete comfort, allowing them to fully relax and make the most of their stay in the serene, snow-covered landscape of the Tateshina Highlands.

The Tateshina Highlands, where our hotel is located, are surrounded by numerous ski resorts that attract skiers from the local area, across the prefecture, and in recent years, from overseas as well.

In this article, we introduce some of the region’s most popular ski resorts, ice skating rinks, and unique winter activities that can only be enjoyed during the colder months.

Ski Resorts

Shirakaba Kogen International Ski Resort
(Chino City / Approx. 30 minutes by car from the hotel via the Venus Line)

This resort features well-designed courses that are ideal for practice. A major highlight is the elegant resort atmosphere, offering scenic views overlooking Lake Shirakaba.
The resort provides a variety of trails for all skill levels, including a dedicated beginner slope and picturesque runs through wooded areas, where skiers can enjoy a descent with a backcountry feel, surrounded by nature. Guests looking for a bit of excitement can visit the speed check zone, which features a speed gun to help them track their downhill speed.

Shirakaba Kogen Shirakaba 2-in-1 Ski Resort
(Chino City / Approx. 20 minutes by car from the hotel via the Venus Line)

This ski resort is renowned for its stunning panoramic 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape. A high rate of clear weather and excellent sun exposure allow guests to enjoy skiing and snowboarding in bright, pleasant conditions. Snowboarding is permitted throughout the entire ski area, and the wide variety of courses ranges from gentle slopes to more challenging terrain. The resort is also well-equipped with facilities for children, including ski schools and rental services, making it a reassuring choice for families. Attractions such as the snow escalator and tube sledding are especially popular with younger visitors.

Pilatus Tateshina Snow Resort
(Chino City / Approx. 15 minutes by car from the hotel via the Venus Line)

Pilatus Tateshina Snow Resort is one of Japan’s highest-altitude comprehensive snow resorts. A ropeway carries visitors to an elevation of 2,240 meters, from where a spectacular 4-kilometer-long course descends from the summit. This long run winds through frost-covered trees, creating a magical and immersive winter experience.
While enjoying the run, skiers and snowboarders are treated to magnificent snow-covered views of the Japanese Alps and the Yatsugatake mountain range. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, the resort also offers a range of activities set in its natural surroundings, including snowshoe hiking, allowing guests to experience the winter landscape at a more leisurely pace.

Blanche Takayama Ski Resort
(Nagawa Town / Approx. 35 minutes by car from the hotel)

Blanche Takayama Ski Resort is located at a high elevation ranging from 1,350 to 1,800 meters and features nine courses. The area is characterized by an inland climate, with a high percentage of sunny days throughout the year and significant temperature differences between day and night. Thanks to the high rate of clear weather during winter, natural snowfall is relatively limited, and approximately 90% of the snow is produced using snowmaking machines. This consistently groomed, easy-to-ski, and safe snow has been named “Solid Snow®” by the resort.

Fujimi Panorama Resort
(Fujimi Town / Approx. 35 minutes by car from the hotel)

Fujimi Panorama Resort boasts an impressive 85% rate of clear weather and is characterized by its vertical layout. While compact in size with seven courses, the resort offers a thrilling 3,000-meter long run from the base to the summit, accessible via a direct gondola; it is especially appealing for advanced skiers.
Another highlight is its excellent accessibility, located less than 10 minutes from the Suwa-Minami Interchange. Roads around the parking area are well maintained and regularly cleared of snow, allowing visitors to reach the resort safely and comfortably even during winter conditions.

Ice Skating Rinks

International Skating Center (NAO ice OVAL) 
(Chino City / Approx. 30 minutes by car from the hotel)

This world-class facility features an international-standard 400-meter speed skating rink, along with a separate rink specifically designed for beginners. The center was named “NAO ice OVAL” in honor of Nao Kodaira, a Chino City native who achieved remarkable success in women’s speed skating at the PyeongChang Olympic Games. It was established with the goal of bringing together skating enthusiasts and fostering the continued growth and development of skating culture in the region.

Yamabiko no Mori Ice Arena
(Okaya City / Approx. 1 hour by car from the hotel)

Yamabiko no Mori Ice Arena is an indoor, internationally certified skating rink that can be enjoyed in any season. As a venue for official figure skating, ice hockey, and short-track speed skating competitions, the facility maintains its ice to the highest standards, offering a premium and reliable skating experience.
The arena is also famously known as the “Record-Setting Rink,” as it has been the stage for numerous Japanese national and competition records over the years.

Snow Hiking

Yatsugatake is a popular destination for snow hiking from December through March. The area boasts a high percentage of sunny days, and depending on the weather, it offers the chance to encounter beautiful winter phenomena such as the “diamond dust” (glittering ice crystals), silver frost, or hoarfrost-covered trees.

In winter, the rugged and rocky summer trails are transformed by snow, creating a smoother surface that is often easier to navigate than in the summer months. This accessibility makes it a wonderful and reassuring choice for beginners or those new to mountain trekking. Enjoy the outdoors and experience the breathtaking scenery that only winter can provide.

Yokoya Gorge Icefall and Snow Hike

At Yokoya Gorge in Tateshina, hikers can walk along the valley trails to view a series of magnificent ice falls at close range. The course is relatively flat and the pace is relaxed, ensuring a safe experience for those concerned about physical stamina.

Kita-Yatsugatake – Tsuboniwa Snowshoe Hiking

Surrounding the summit station of the Northern Yatsugatake Ropeway lies a unique lava plateau known as Tsuboniwa. 
Participants receive an introductory lesson from a guide on how to walk using snowshoes, and with a total walking distance of approximately 3 kilometers, the route is well suited even for outdoor beginners.

Both the Ice Fall tours and snowshoe hiking tours can be arranged with professional mountain guides, allowing participants to enjoy the experience safely, making this activity an excellent opportunity to experience breathtaking winter sceneries.

To understand why such a remarkable density of world-class facilities exists in the area surrounding the hotel, we need to look back at the history of winter sports in Nagano Prefecture.

Among all winter sports, skiing has the largest number of participants. The history of skiing in Nagano Prefecture dates back to 1912 when it was introduced to the Iiyama region. Initially utilized as a means of military transport, it gradually spread among civilians as a practical way to travel in snowy areas. The 1930s, in particular, saw an explosive skiing boom that led to significant crowds at ski resorts throughout Nagano.

In contrast, the origins of snowboarding are less clearly documented, and its early history remains somewhat ambiguous. However, in the early 1900s, equipment resembling the predecessor of modern snowboards and consisting of a single board, was sold as a way to easily descend through deep snow during hunting or mountain climbing. While these early boards were only capable of sliding in a straight line, the late 1970s saw the adoption of materials similar to those used in skis. This led to the rapid improvement of boots and bindings that connect the board to the feet, allowing for maneuverability on common surfaces such as icy slopes and snow.

In addition to skiing and snowboarding, ice skating is also a well-established winter sport within the prefecture.

The Suwa region, which includes Chino City, generally receives less snowfall than areas along the Sea of Japan. However, its high elevation and consistently low temperatures allow lakes and other bodies of water to remain frozen for extended periods. As a result, skating became a familiar winter pastime, with people gliding across frozen rice fields and lakes, and at times even flooding schoolyards to create natural ice rinks.

In the past, when temperatures were lower than today, the ice on lakes grew thick enough to safely support skating, and during that time, “geta skates,” traditional Japanese wooden clogs fitted with metal blades, were widely used. The sport became so popular that competitions were even held using this distinctive equipment.

Although these customs have since faded, ice skating remains deeply rooted in the local culture. Even today, schools in the region continue to hold skating classes each year alongside ski lessons, reflecting the enduring affection local communities have for this winter sport.

One of the reasons for the popularity of winter sports in Nagano Prefecture is the ease of access from major urban areas, in addition to the variety of well-designed courses and high-quality snow. The region is reachable from Shinjuku in approximately two and a half hours by limited express train or about three hours by car. This convenient distance makes it a popular tourist destination, perfect for family trips or a refreshing weekend getaway.

Tateshina also offers a wide range of day-use hot spring facilities. After a day of winter sports, there is no better way to relax than by soothing tired muscles in these famous hot springs.
For more information regarding hot spring facilities, please click here.

In the event of snowfall, the Venus Line—located directly in front of the hotel—is cleared regularly from early morning, ensuring safe passage throughout the winter. For the latest information regarding weather or road conditions in the area, please feel free to inquire at the hotel front desk.

For more details regarding local conditions during the winter season, please click here.

Enjoy a comfortable and memorable winter stay at HOTEL de L’ALPAGE where warm meals and cozy rooms are meticulously prepared in anticipation of every guest’s arrival.

References:
・Nagano Prefecture’s 100-Year History of Skiing Website
(https://www.shinshu-tabi.com/ski100/rekisi.html)
・The History of Snowboarding (Japan Snowboarding Association) (https://www.jsba.or.jp/information/history/)