Looking at the Pokémon themed park, I can immediately tell this will be a family friendly resort. Unlike other ski resorts in Hakuba showcasing powder runs and groomed slopes, this resort in particular is catered towards families and beginners… or so you would think!
Let’s just say that beginners and intermediate skiers alike will have fun with the variety of slopes at the resort. It’s essentially a go-to place for groups with mixed skill levels. Some may feel it’s a bit lacking, as there are only a few black runs, but I personally like the abundance of red slopes, which are great for warm-ups and practice. It also doesn’t feel as hectic as the other main Hakuba ski areas, which is likely why more locals tend to come here instead.
There are two main ways to access the resort. To reach the central parking area, you’ll need to pass through the Taira-Omachi side, entering from the back of the mountain through winding mountain roads, which can feel a bit intimidating if you’re not used to driving in those conditions. I actually enjoy this route, as we often spot monkeys, tanuki’s and other wildlife along the way. The other access point is from the Nakatsuna Lake side, which is generally accessible when coming from Hakuba, though parking there is more limited and can fill up quickly.
Talking about the kids area, I could see there are snow play areas with pokemon themed domes and also merchandise in their store. They do Tube slides as well, and sliding down together can be a fun pastime when taking a break from skiing.
On a clear day, you can also see Mt. Kashimayari.
Also, watch out for events during winter season. We were lucky to be there during the Kashimayari Fire Festival around the end of January. There was a torchlight skiing parade, taiko drum performances and a prayer ritual “Onbe-yaki” to pray for health and safety through the year. There were Oshiruko (sweet azuki red bean soup) as well which was really nice during a very cold winter night. To cap off the night, there was a grand fireworks display.
It was a really nice local event and we were lucky to be there when it happened.