Now this Ski Resort is as local as it gets. It`s not a huge resort or anything, with a modest number of slopes, yet people seem to keep coming back.
I would describe Jigatake to be a charming ski resort, designed for kids and families while still being small enough to have a relaxing time on the snow. Accessible through Omachi-Taira side, this small ski resort only has 4 lifts, a kids park and mostly beginner runs. It`s quite the stark contrast to the larger ski resorts in Hakuba Valley.
I brought my friends here since they’re beginner skiers, and it turned out to be a perfect choice. As much as I want my friends to experience Hakuba, I tend to forget that big resorts can be overwhelming. So having a smaller place like Jiigatake Ski Resort really helped them relax and just enjoy a chill day on the slopes. Maybe it even gave them that sheltered feeling that nothing will go bad since I am in the “easy” area.
One thing I was surprised though is that the ski resort recently opened a small tree-run area that’s very beginner-friendly, and my friends had a blast. The trees aren’t steep at all—just a mellow slope—so even beginners can feel comfortable giving it a try. It was wide enough that you can snow plow through it and I think it gave them a nice confidence boost too. The little kids who were overtaking us did not help with the nerves. lol
If you’re after a chill, no‑stress day (even half day!) on the slopes, Jiigatake is definitely worth the visit.
This ski resort also has snowmobile tours in-house and you can read about it here as well. It was a fun experience when we tried it as an alternative to skiing.
