Maiko Snow Resort

“I visited the Maiko Snow Resort using JR's Dynamic Rail Pack. Despite a slight queue for rentals, I was pleased with the immediate availability of tickets. The snow quality was exceptional, thanks to a heavy snowfall the previous week, particularly at the mountain's peak. In terms of the ski to snowboard ratio, I found it to be about 70% snowboarding and 30% skiing. The beginner's course near the summit is somewhat narrow, so for novices, I'd suggest trying out the Nagamine No. 1 Quad instead. For smokers, there are designated areas near the Gondola Sanroku Station and the ITADKI cafe at the top.”

“I recently visited the Maiko Snow Resort with my family for the first time in over a decade. Unfortunately, our visit coincided with unfavorable snowy conditions which marred the experience somewhat. We opted for the gondola ride, prompted by my child's previous experience with a halted lift during a power outage. However, we found the forest descent course somewhat perilous due to its narrowness. Also, the ski slope access course was quite steep and crowded, making it challenging to find a tranquil spot to ski. On a positive note, I observed that the resort was clean and appeared to be well-maintained. There were several enjoyable spots, particularly after the rain, so it could be a fun trip with friends. Given the opportunity, I wouldn't mind revisiting next season.”

“I visited the Maiko Snow Resort, a substantial ski location composed of three parts: the Maiko area, Nagamine area, and Okuzoe area. It's conveniently accessible by car, being just off the Shiozawa Ishiuchi Interchange on the expressway. My visit in February 2014 was somewhat disappointing due to a shortage of snow, with the ground being visible in parts. The quality of the snow was subpar. Moreover, the Maiko Gondola was out of service and the Nagamine and Okuzoeji areas were closed, which I found quite frustrating. The resort seems to be popular among group tourists on bus tours, who primarily focus on the Maiko area. This leads to long waiting times for the lifts, often exceeding 20 minutes. The resort also seemed to lack diversity among visitors, with very few international tourists present. I also observed some poor etiquette among the snowboarders, such as sitting in the middle of the course. The best part of my visit was the morning, when I had the chance to ski properly. However, the quality of the food offered on the slopes was disappointing, and the wifi in the dining area was so slow it was practically unusable. On a positive note, the resort accepts various forms of cashless payments, which is convenient. Despite this, my overall experience was not as enjoyable as expected and I'm not keen on returning.”

“The Maiko Snow Resort is an excellent destination, particularly for those new to skiing - it's very accommodating for beginners.”