Suginohara Ski Resort Myoko
Myoko Suginohara is possibly our favourite of the
Myoko ski resorts, with its super long cruisy groomers, nice tree skiing and fun sidecountry. Often called “Sugi” for short, Suginohara Ski Resort is proud to have the longest run in Japan at 8.5km. The only problem with that claim is that Zao Onsen actually has a longer run (10km), although the Zao run is more of an annoying traverse than a thigh burning fall line cruiser.
Suginohara Myoko Kogen is a Prince Resort but it doesn’t quite fit the mould. Firstly there are no ski patrollers chasing you when you head off-piste, and there’s no imposing Prince Hotel at the base area like Naeba, Furano, Shizukuishi, and Yakebitaiyama at Shiga Kogen. The little village at the base of the Suginohara Ski Resort is called Suginosawa Onsen, and there are no towering hotels and it’s retained its Japanese flavour.
Pros and Cons of Myoko Suginohara
Pros
- Sugi has long groomed runs and is ideal for intermediates and confident beginners.
- The lift infrastructure at the Myoko Suginohara Ski Resort is reasonably good.
- Like the other main Myoko ski resorts, it generally receives abundant snow. The aspect isn’t great for warm sunny days, yet it has the highest elevation of the Myoko ski resorts.
- Suginohara has fantastic sidecountry and backcountry for experts, and also a small amount of fun tree skiing inside the resort boundaries.
- On clear days, the ski area affords lovely views of the lakes and the valley, and Fuji if you’re lucky.
- Kids under 13 years of age ski free.
Cons
- There are no group snowsports lessons in English at Suginohara.
- Like a lots of Japanese ski resorts, the ski area isn’t big enough to provide adequate variety for a long holiday. It’s best combined with other Myoko and/or Niigata and Nagano ski resorts.
- Also typical of many Japan ski resorts, there’s very little advanced piste terrain and the black runs are not that challenging.
- For those staying in Suginosawa, the bus transport to other Myoko ski areas is limited and arrives too late for first lifts, and there are no night buses to get to the Akakura restaurants and bars.
- The access lift from the Suginosawa village starts too late and doesn’t get you up for first gondola.
Pro or Con Depending On Your Perspective
- English isn’t widely spoken in the village, although this is changing with the ever increasing popularity of Myoko Kogen.
- There’s not much to do at Suginosawa other than ski or snowboard and soak in an onsen. BYO party and keep expectations very low regarding evening dining options. Staying at Suginohara provides an inexpensive and very quiet alternative to staying at the quasi-westernised parts of Myoko Kogen.
Suginohara Ski and Snowboard Terrain
Suginohara is medium sized for a Japanese ski resort, and it’s long and skinny with a big vertical drop of 1,124 metres (731 to 1,855m). Suginohara only has 5 lifts, but the lift infrastructure is reasonably good considering 3 lifts are fast and protect you from the elements.
The ski area is below the treeline and the trail stats (40% beginner, 40% intermediate, and 20% black) largely reflect the piste terrain, which is mostly beginner and mellow intermediate groomed runs. Suginohara has some enjoyable off-piste skiing and riding in the trees, particularly off the top lift. It’s not steep but the variety of tree spacing keeps it fun.
The Sugi terrain park is decent and is making the resort increasingly popular with freestylers.
More information on the terrain can be found on the
Suginohara skiing page.
Suginohara Snow
Suginohara scores lots of goodness from the Yuki gods in the realm of 13 metres of snowfall on average per season. The top of the resort typically has great snow quality during the peak of winter thanks to its high elevation, whilst the unfavourable aspect plays out when temperatures rise.
Where is Myoko Suginohara?
Myoko Kogen is located one hour north of the city of Nagano in the Niigata Prefecture – see the
travel to Myoko Kogen page for information on getting there. Suginohara is located on the southeast flank of Mt Myoko and is the furthest south of the main Myoko ski areas.
There are a few buses daily to Suginohara from other Myoko villages. If you stay in Suginosawa village at the base of Suginohara and want to sample other Myoko ski areas, you’ll ideally want to have a car or stay at a lodge that offers shuttles.
Suginosawa Onsen Accommodation
The Suginosawa Onsen village at the base of the Suginohara ski resort is very quiet and more of a large collection of pensions and lodges than a village per se. The village largely hasn’t been westernised, there is only one restaurant/pub, and most people stay at their accommodation for dinner. Much of the Suginohara accommodation offers half board, is inexpensive, and is ski-in ski-out or close to the slopes.
Suginohara Accommodation Listings
Facilities
Suginosawa and the ski resort have various basic ski and snowboard rental shops. The base area also has a retail shop selling lots of snacks, beverages, sundries and basic ski accessories. The official ski school is only for those fluent in Japanese, although it’s possible to get a private lesson from one of the international ski schools in the area.
During the day there are lots of food options to choose from, particularly at the base of the Mitahara lift #2, or there are eateries at the Center Area and the large cafeteria at the main base.
The village has an onsen, the Naena-no Yu, which is open for day trippers. Unlike Seki Onsen where the water is coloured, the Suginosawa hot spring water is clear.
[AdListings collection="Japan" category="Myoko Kogen" subcategory="Suginohara Rentals"]
Suginohara Restaurants & Bars
Suginohara isn't known for its nightlife but it is slowly evolving to cater for international tourists.
[AdListings collection="Japan" category="Myoko Kogen" subcategory="Suginosawa Onsen Restaurants"]