Karuizawa Prince Hotel is the name of the ski hill (and of course the hotel at the base) located in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. The ski hill is located close to the famous Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza and the main station, and is mainly suited for beginners and just above that skill level. Snow-making machines are used extensively due to the low elevation and unpredictability of natural snow in the area. With the help of the snow making machines, Karuizawa Prince Hotel resort usually opens in early November. It has been operating since 1973.
Nagano Prefecture is located in the Chubu region of the main island of Honshu. Most of the Northern Alps, Central Alps and Southern Alps are located within Nagano (along with neighbouring prefectures). Nagano has the second highest number of ski and snowboard resorts in all of Japan and they are spread around the whole prefecture. Nagano city and many of the major ski resorts are located in the northern region.
Ski and snowboard lessons are available at Karuizawa Prince Hotel.
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 two 'Snowman Park' areas - the Day Trip (Higaeri) Snow Park and the East Park. Open from early December 2019 until 5th April 2020. Both are 1,400 yen for anyone over 3 years of age. The areas feature sledging areas, tubing, snow escalator and a bouncy castle type facility.
There is also a 'West Chibbiko Land' kids park area with various items and playing in the snow activities. This area is available only for Prince Hotel guests; entry is 800 yen. Open from 9:30am until 4:30pm on weekends and holidays (and New Year period) from 28th December 2019.
Park information
There is a 'Free Ride Park' between the main Prince course and Mominoki course. There is also usually a special pole practice run available during peak season.
Karuizawa Prince Hotel Season & Opening Times
Typical season is from Early November until Early April
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 5:00pm
'Nighta' (night skiing)
Weekends and holidays
Yes
Weekdays
Sometimes
Opening information
Normally open until 5:00pm for daytime operations. Open until 4:30pm between 2nd November and 20th December 2020.
Nighta is normally from 4:00pm until 8:00pm and open from 21st December 2019 until 8th March 2020. (There is no nighta on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; excluding 31st December 2019 - 2nd January 2020).
Karuizawa Prince Hotel Lift Ticket Charges
Adults
Child
High School age
Senior
55 years & over
1 Day (open-5pm)
5,700 yen
4,700 yen
4,700 yen
4 Hours
5,200 yen
4,200 yen
4,200 yen
2 Days
10,900 yen
8,900 yen
8,900 yen
3 Days
15,800 yen
12,800 yen
12,800 yen
Nighta (4pm-8pm)
2,000 yen
1,500 yen
1,500 yen
A 500 yen deposit is required for tickets.
The 2 Day ticket includes nighta on the first evening and until 5:00pm on the second day. The 3 Day ticket includes nighta on the first and second evening and until 5:00pm on the third day.
Cheaper lift tickets are available for early (until 20th December 2019) and spring ski (from 23rd March 2020) periods:
4 hours ticket: Adults - 4,400 yen; children & seniors - 3,400 yen 1 day ticket: Adults - 4,900 yen; children & seniors - 3,900 yen 2 day ticket: Adults - 9,300 yen; children & seniors - 7,300 yen
Children up to elementary school age can ride the lifts for free.
Getting to Karuizawa Prince Hotel
By public transport
Train
0.9km from Karuizawa Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line
0.9km from Karuizawa Station on the Shinano Tetsudo Line
Information
Karuizawa Prince Hotel ski hill is located just a few hundred metres from Karuizawa Station which is on the Hokuruki Shinkansen and Shinano Tetsudo lines.
The ski hill base is just a ten minute walk from the South Exit of Karuizawa Station.
By Car
12.7km from the Usui Karuizawa IC on the Joshinetsu Expressway
21.2km from the Saku IC on the Joshinetsu Expressway
Nearest national route: Route 18 (0.6km away)
Nearest prefecture road: Prefecture Road 43
Direction
Karuizawa Prince Hotel is under 13km from the Usui Karuizawa IC exit on the Joshinetsu Expressway.
From the Usui Karuizawa IC exit keep going straight ahead on Prefecture Road 92 and then Prefecture Road 43 heading into central Karuizawa. Follow the signs for the Karuizawa Prince and the Shopping Plaza and go past the South Exit of Karuizawa Station. The ski hill is on the right hand side just past the Shopping Plaza.
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.
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Ropeways
Gondolas
Quad lifts
Triple lifts
Pair lifts
Single lifts
Other
