Winter Activities Around Kanazawa 金沢スキー場

Japan has always been underestimated in terms of winter sports, even though the winter olympics have been hosted in Japan twice. The region Ishikawa boasts to be the witness of this wealth, as it offers some of the most unforgettable experiences for seasoned skier, as well as beginners.

Your experience could not be more complete: ski resorts have easy access to the hot springs and infrastructure are often highly developed. What more could anyone ask for...

Note that skiing in Ishikawa Prefecture is a very accessible and often oriented toward beginners. For skiers who desire more extreme sensations we recommend the Japanese Alps instead.

Hakusan Ichirino

This is a complex mixing onsen and ski resort. Accessible to all levels, the resort is well equipped. There are also magnificent view from the top of the mountains which you can get to using the cable car.

The scenery changes from season to season, with each offering a splendid view, the main charm being its large beech forest.

Main stations are as follows:

• Aiaru No. 1, 2 and 3 (348m, 534m and 330m)
  
• Naodaira No. 1 and 2 (447m and 395m)
  
• Nakanohara (562m)
  
• Gondola (1415m)  

• The resort is open from 8:00 to 21:00 and is accessible from Kanazawa in 1 hour 30 minutes. There is a ski equipment rental service.

The Raicho Valley Resort

Located in Toyama Prefecture, Raicho station is medium in size but offers a surprise: its longest run is over 628 meters. The resort has three tracks for intermediate level skiers.

The resort is well connected by bus from Tateyama and will be perfect for a weekend trip. Travelers looking to dedicate their holiday to skiing might prefer to stay in the Japanese Alps or Mount Hakusan.

But do not disregard Raicho Valley completely, as the view from the top of the mountains is spectacular!

• The resort is open from 8:00 to 16:00. There is a ski equipment rental service.
  

Okura-Dake Plateau Ski Area

Okura-Dake is an area that is popular with families, as its oriented towards beginners, although one can find two more advanced courses known as "The Wedeln" and "The Sea of Japan"

The latter is as the name suggests a course that combines downhill skiing and panoramic views of the Sea of Japan, and this is also the reason for its popularity. During weekends and school holidays, lessons are available for beginners as well as a "night skiing" program. The resort also provides a rental service for skis and snowboards

When the snow melts away, the scenery changes and leaves room for hiking and the cosmos festival in autumn.

• The resort is open from 8:00 to 21:30 and accessible from the city of Komatsu by bus. There is a ski equipment rental service.