Hunter Mountain Shiobara

#japantrip The Hunter Mountain Shiobara is a small ski resort but very well run with an efficient rental service (though a times chaotic when it is crowded). There chair lifts and ropeways are fast as well. The ski resort is effectively separated into two main areas one served by the Gondola and the other with a Quad Lift. The areas served by the Gondola goes to the top and have black slopes continuing into red slopes. While the Quad Lift connects to the beginner and intermediate slopes. The beginner slopes here are almost flat which might not provide much kick. The intermediate slopes are similar to a steeper blue slopes in an Austrian or German ski resort or a harder beginner slope in Zao Onsen, which are more fun to ride. Due to its size, a day trip is enough and you get rewarded with nice views of the mountains of Nasu Kogen. However, the lift tickets are rentals are definitely not one of the cheapest when compared to other ski resorts in Japan such as Yuzawa, Nozawa or Zao for the value its gives. You can find some web discounts online to reduce the cost. On weekdays, the parking is free but public holidays and weekends meant a 1000 JPY flat fee parking fee. There is a shuttle bus service between the resort and NasuShiobara station but it departs at 8-9 am and returns at 4-5 pm, which would limit your itinerary if you want to only do a half day visit. The ski resort is managed and run by Tokyu Snow Resorts and developed by the folks behind Hunter Mountain, New York in the US thus the runs are named "Broadway", "Sesami St.", "Park Avenue" etc.