Kita Shiga Ryuoo Ski Park is located in the northern region of Nagano Prefecture, just an hour or so from Nagano and within easy reach of the Shinshu Nakano IC of the Joshinetsu Expressway. There is an excellent variety of courses at the resort catering for all skill levels, including a selection of ungroomed powder courses. The resort also caters for those looking for snow activities as well as skiing and snowboarding.
Snow Park
For those looking for a Park experience, try the Dragon Park, complete with rails, boxes, kickers, walls and more. For beginners, try the Cherry Park first to get a feel for park fun!
Other snow activities
It's not only about skiing and snowboarding if you don't want it to be! There's lots more to do, with plans for the 2014/2015 season including tubing, banana boat, dragon rider, snowmobiling, 4 wheeled buggies and snow rafting. See below for charges.
Courses & Lifts
Course name
Length in meters
Maximum gradient
Minimum gradient
1
Valley Number 1 Gelende (beginner)
490
22
15
2
Valley Number 2 Gelende (inter / advanced)
600
36
25
3
Valley Number 3 Gelende (beginner)
270
20
15
4
Valley Number 4 Gelende (inter / advanced)
420
22
15
5
Valley Number 5 Gelende (advanced)
800
39
27
6
Valley Number 6 Gelende (inter)
510
27
20
8 9
Valley Number 8 9 Gelende (inter)
650
25
18
10
Valley Number 10 Gelende (inter)
600
28
20
b
Kiotoshi b Course (advanced)
1,320
32
23
c
Kiotoshi c Course (advanced)
1,172
28
18
A
Skyland A Course (beginner)
1,370
19
8
B
Skyland B Course (inter)
880
25
9
C
Skyland C Course (inter)
645
24
11
D
Skyland D Course (advanced)
740
24
13
E
Connecting Course
190
23
16
Lift Name
Length in meters
Open for nighta?
1
Valley Number 1 Quad Lift
490
Yes
2
Valley Number 2 Pair Lift
547
Yes
3
Valley Number 3 Pair Parallel Lift
272
--
4
Valley Number 4 Pair Parallel Lift
406
Yes
5
Valley Number 5 Lift
676
--
8
Valley Number 8 Lift
598
--
9
Valley Number 9 Pair Lift
630
--
10
Valley Number 10 Pair Lift
495
--
11
Sky Land Number 1 Quad Lift
1073
--
13
Sky Land Number 3 Pair Lift
160
--
14
Ryuoo Ropeway
2292
--
Ryuoo Koe Tour Course (Open from late February until late March) Enjoy the wild nature on this course - open from late February until late March. You need to inform the Resort when you plan to use this special course and there are a few restrictions. If you wish to use the course, please inform the Patrol at the restaurant next to the top Ropeway Station.
Kiotoshi Courses The Kiotoshi courses are found connecting the top Sky Land area of the resort and the Valley Area. If you're looking for deep fresh powder snow on ungroomed areas, then this is the place for you.
As these courses are for advanced riders, beginners are advised to use the ropeway to go down from the Sky Land area to the Valley Area rather than challenge these courses.
Kiotoshi B Course (For advanced skiers and snowboarders) This is a powder course on a course lined with trees - at the peak of season those trees are covered in ice. This is a hard course for those advanced skiers and snowboarders looking for a challenge.
Kiotoshi A Course (For advanced skiers and snowboarders) Start from the side of the top Ropeway station, and start down the 32 degrees max slope - again suitable for advanced skiers and snowboarders...not for the faint-hearted! After a snowfall you should find lots of deep powder on this course.
Skyland Area Go up to the top of the ropeway and a whole new world opens up before you - the Skyland Area. You're now 2000 meters above sea level, and before you start enjoying the powder snow be sure to check out the spectacular views.
One of the world's largest capacity Ropeways, with a capacity of 166 people, quickly takes you up 800 meters to a different world of powder snow, ice covered trees and great views.
Skyland A course (suitable for beginners) This is a 1,370 meters long course. Take the Ropeway up to the top then the Dai-ichi Quad Lift, enjoy the 360 degrees panorama, and then ski through the trees. You can see Mount Myoko, the Kita Alps and other regions on a clear day.
You might think that the top of the mountain would offer only difficult slopes, but not at Ryuoo - with an average of 15 degrees the slopes are suitable even for beginners and for learning.
Skyland B and C Course (suitable for beginners and intermediates) Look out for the wild animals in this through-the-trees runs - 'kamoshika' deer and rabbits are common.... you'll be sure to see their footprints!
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Information Center
The Information Center at the base of the resort is open from 4am until 10pm daily and features a large 1500 car capacity car park, toilets, changing rooms and a selection of restaurants and pro gear shops:
SUBWAY - open from 6am until 6pm GoGoCurry - open from 6am until 6pm Murasaki Sports - open from 6am until 6pm
Children's Facilities
'Chibi-dora' Park
There is an entrance charge of 500 yen and the Park is open daily from 9am until 4pm
More things for the children and family: Kid's Tour (300 yen a time): Experience a ride on a snowmobile.
EARLY & LATE SEASON Valid from open until 18th December 2015; 22nd March until 8th May 2016
Ropeway & 2-day Lift ticket
6,200 yen
3,400 yen
5,000 yen
Ropeway & 1-day Lift ticket
3,400 yen
1,900 yen
2,600 yen
Ropeway & Half-day Lift ticket
2,700 yen
1,600 yen
2,200 yen
MAIN SEASON
Ropeway & 2-day Lift ticket
8,000 yen
5,100 yen
6,200 yen
Ropeway & 1-day Lift ticket
4,500 yen
2,900 yen
3,600 yen
This ticket can be used on the day of purchase (8am-5pm). Not valid for 'nighta' (night-time skiing and snowboarder).
Ropeway & Half-day Lift ticket
3,400 yen
2,200 yen
3,000 yen
Morning ticket valid from 8am-1pm Afternoon ticket valid from 12pm-5pm
Lift (PM) & Nighta ticket (12pm-9pm)
4,500 yen
2,900 yen
3,600 yen
Wide AM ticket (8am-2pm)
3,900 yen
2,600 yen
3,200 yen
Wide PM ticket (11am-5pm)
3,900 yen
2,600 yen
3,200 yen
Daytime ticket (10am-3pm)
3,900 yen
2,600 yen
3,200 yen
Lift Nighta ticket (5pm-9pm)
2,000 yen
1,000 yen
1,500 yen
Nighta operations are from mid-December until late March. The above nighta tickets do not allow use of the Ryuoo Ropeway.
Lift ticket (1 time)
400 yen
300 yen
400 yen
The above ticket type does not allow use of the Ryuoo Ropeway.
Season ticket
38,000 yen
15,000 yen
33,000 yen
Variations available
Snowmobile experience
1000 yen per person
Snow buggy experience
1000 yen per person
Snow Rafting
2500 yen per person
'Chibi-dora' Park entry and usage
500 yen per person
Getting to Ryuoo Ski Park
Easy access by car using the Expressway - just three hours from Tokyo! The resort is just 20 minutes from Shinshu Nakano IC to Ryuoo Ski Park using Route 403. Free parking for 1500 cars.
By train, Ryuoo Ski Park is just two and a half hours from Tokyo, and just over four hours from Nagoya.
From Tokyo:
Take the Nagano Shinkansen to Nagano City (about 80 minutes).
From Osaka:
Take the Shinkansen to Osaka (1 hour), then the Shinano line to Nagano City (just under 3 hours).
From Kanazawa:
The train journey to Nagano Station takes about 3 hours and 20 minutes.
Once at Nagano station, either take the direct bus to the Resort (about 80 minutes) or take the train to Shinshu Nakano (30 minutes) and then the bus to the Resort.
