Hoshino Resort Alts Bandai - often known as the original name 'Alts Bandai' - is located on the south-western slopes of Mt Bandai in Bandai town. Alts Bandai is relatively new, only opening in 1992. Fine views of the nearby Lake Inawashiro can be enjoyed from the resort.
The upper part of the Hoshino Resort Alts Bandai resort is geographically close to the upper part of Alts Bandai on the other side of the mountain, but they are not lift or course connected. Last season in spring they tried a new 'walking course' between the two. It seems to have been a success as they are opening it again as soon as they deem it safe. They are aiming to have it open from mid January 2020 until the end of the season. The 800m route between the top of the two resorts takes about 15 minutes in normal conditions and it should be open between 10:00am and 3:00pm.
The two resorts are owned by the same company and some joint lift tickets are available. Be sure to have a valid ticket if you intend to right lifts at both resorts! The parks are popular at this resort and for the 2019-2020 season there are five different Snow Parks. Details below.
Apparently 'Alts' comes from 'Aer - Lux - Terra - Sol'.
Many of the ski and snowboard resorts in Fukushima are found on or near Mt Bandai and Mt Adatara to the north of Lake Inawashiro and the region is generally known as Aizu. The other ski hills can be found scattered across the western region or to the south-west of Lake Inawashiro.
Ski and snowboard lessons are available at Alts Bandai.
Equipment Rental
Ski Rental:
Available
Snowboard Rental:
Available
Ski and snowboard equipment rental is available. Ski and snowboard wear rental is also available.
Children's facilities
There are 2 'Kids Parks' at Alts Bandai, both near the base and one with a snow escalator - both free to enter.
Other activities available including snow rafting and grooming machines ride experiences.
Park information
There are 5 Snow Park areas at Alts Bandai (planned dates):
- Step Up Park for Beginners (11th January until 29th March 2020) - Step Up Park (4th January until 29th March 2020) - Step Up Park for experts (18th January until 15th February 2020) - Global Park (25th January until 15th February 2020) *1 - Nagaseru Park (11th January until 29th March 2020) *2
*1 Closed between 28th February and 6th March 2020 *2 Open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays *2 Closed between 28th February and 6th March 2020
Hoshino Resort Alts Bandai Season & Opening Times
Typical season is from Mid December until Late March
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
Daytime
Weekends and holidays
Normally open from 8:00am until 5:00pm
Weekdays
Normally open from 8:30am until 4:30pm
'Nighta' (night skiing)
Weekends and holidays
Sometimes
Weekdays
Sometimes
Opening information
Hoshino Resort Alts Bandai is open from 8:30am until 4:30pm on weekdays and from 8:00am until 5:00pm on weekends and holidays. The Gondola is the first lift to open each day.
Nighta is from 5:30pm until 9:00pm on Saturdays between 4th January and 7th March 2020 and also New Year (31st December-3rd January) and 12th January and 23rd February 2020. The Alts Express quad lift normally operates for nighta with two courses open.
If you have a valid 1 day ticket, a nighta 'extension' ticket can be bought for an additional 500 yen.
Some cheaper lift tickets options are available to buy on the official resort website.
A 500 yen returnable deposit is required for tickets.
Getting to Hoshino Resort Alts Bandai
By public transport
Train
55.2km from Koriyama Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen line
6.8km from Bandai Machi Station on the Banetsu Sai line
17.1km from Aizu Wakamatsu Station on the Banetsu Sai line
Information
The closest train station to Alts Bandai is Bandai Machi Station (7km) on the Banetsu Saisen line. Aizu Wakamatsu Station on the same line is just over 17km from the resort.
Koriyama Station is the closest stop on the Tohoku Shinkansen and is about 55km from Alts Bandai.
A bus service between Koriyama Station and Alts Bandai is available between 22nd December 2018 and 31st March 2019. The bus leaves Koriyama Station at 8:15am and 3:20pm daily and takes about 80 minutes. This service costs 1000 yen.
There is also a bus service from Aizu Wakamatsu to the resort.
A number of shuttle buses go to Alts Bandai. One operates from Aizu Wakamatsu Station on the Banetsu Saisen line and another from Koriyama Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen line.
A free bus operates from the East Exit of Bandai-machi Station and takes about 20 minutes..
A bus from Aizu Wakamatsu Station costs 1000 yen for adults and 500 yen for children and takes about 45 minutes.
The bus from Koyiyama Station is 1000 yen and takes about 90 minutes.
By Car
10.8km from the Bandai Kawahigashi IC on the Banetsu Expressway
19.2km from the Inawashiro Bandai Kogen IC on the Banetsu Expressway
49km from the Koriyama IC on the Tohoku Expressway
Nearest national route: Route 49 (11.4km away)
Nearest prefecture road: Prefecture Road 64
Direction
Alts Bandai is just under 11km from the Bandai Kawahigashi IC exit of the Banetsu Expressway.
From the Bandai Kawahigashi IC exit, turn left onto Prefecture Road 64 for just over 1km to a set of traffic lights. Turn right onto Prefecture Road 7 and then continue for 2km until the turn off for the Gold Line road (Prefecture Road 64). Turn left and continue for just over 2km and take the road to the right to head up to Alts Bandai base. Note that the Gold Line toll road is not open in the winter months and so it is not possible to get to the ski resort using that road.
Large parking areas for around 3000 vehicles are available close to the base of Alts Bandai. Parking is free on weekdays and on some car parks on weekends too - though some car parks are charged on weekends.
Happy New Year. The 'planned season' dates shown on the ski resort pages are planned opening dates - many ski hills around Japan have been experiencing delays.
If you have visited Hoshino Resort Alts Bandai, please share your experience with other SnowJapan readers by writing a Resort Review and/or uploading photos
Reader Resort Rankings
General
81
Snow conditions
83
Courses & terrain
71
Lift system
73
Apres ski
5
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