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The skiing opportunities in Austria are simply breathtaking. Deeply embedded into the culture of this landlocked Alpine nation during the winter months, the pastime is taken super seriously. Most forms of winter sports are available, with alpine and Nordic skiing the most common, while snowboarding, cross-country skiing and sledging are also popular.



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For those attracted to nightlife as well as outdoor leisure, many of the famous ski resorts have also accrued a reputation for their après-ski shenanigans as much as for the skiing itself – none more so, perhaps, than St Anton am Arlberg in the west of the country.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Topping the lot</h3>



The global reputation of the Arlberg ski region emerged in the late 19th century, following the opening of the Arlberg railway tunnel in 1884. Ski-Club Arlberg, the first ski club in the Alps, opened in 1901 and St Anton’s inaugural ski school was established in 1924. The sleepy village was well on the way to becoming an iconic venue for winter sports enthusiasts.


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Winter_Skifahren_Kapall-©-TVB-St.-Anton-am-Arlberg_Patrick-Batz-83-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-84011" width="768" height="512" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Winter_Skifahren_Kapall-©-TVB-St.-Anton-am-Arlberg_Patrick-Batz-83-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Winter_Skifahren_Kapall-©-TVB-St.-Anton-am-Arlberg_Patrick-Batz-83-1-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Winter_Skifahren_Kapall-©-TVB-St.-Anton-am-Arlberg_Patrick-Batz-83-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Winter_Skifahren_Kapall-©-TVB-St.-Anton-am-Arlberg_Patrick-Batz-83-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Winter_Skifahren_Kapall-©-TVB-St.-Anton-am-Arlberg_Patrick-Batz-83-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Winter_Skifahren_Kapall-©-TVB-St.-Anton-am-Arlberg_Patrick-Batz-83-1-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Winter_Skifahren_Kapall-©-TVB-St.-Anton-am-Arlberg_Patrick-Batz-83-1-800x533.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


St Anton is now considered the zenith of Austrian alpine skiing, and the country’s renown as a ski paradise came partly on the back of this amazing resort. It is connected by state-of-the-art ski lifts and cable cars to nearby villages to form one huge contiguous ski area. The Arlberg massif region in Vorarlberg boasts a vast ski terrain encompassing 300 kilometres (186 miles) of slopes.



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The sport is certainly challenging here, and there are plenty of off-piste opportunities for those who want to test themselves, with about 200 kilometres of backcountry terrain beckoning thrill-seekers. The adrenaline will certainly be pumping on many of the exhilarating descents, not least the Kandahar run on Galzig. The views are stunning, and the well-maintained slopes provide top-notch exercise for much of the winter.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ski stars</h3>



Arlberg boasts three top-notch ski resorts: St Anton – St Christoph – Stuben, which are connected by cable car; its over-the-valley neighbour Lech – Oberlech – Zürs; and Warth-Schröcken. St Anton’s epic Run of Fame is a spectacular marathon taking in the entire Ski Arlberg area. As the longest ski circuit in the Alps, covering 85 kilometres and an altitude difference of 18,000 metres (59,055 feet), it takes the best part of a day to complete and traverses three mountain passes – Arlberg, Flexen and Hochtannberg. The route pays homage to the many ski pioneers, athletes and movie stars who have popularised these slopes over the years, leaving their indelible footprints in the snow.



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Indeed, Ski Arlberg has so much to offer for all levels of skiers. There are endless signposted runs, ultra-modern cable cars, fantastic powder-snow slopes, and practice areas for young skiers and beginners, as well as a multitude of sports facilities, from fun parks to carving areas to race courses.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Food with a view</h3>



Part of the joy of skiing in Austria are the scrumptious culinary delights served in the local restaurants and huts, and St Anton offers some of the best. Perched at 2,085 metres and billed as one of the highest gourmet restaurants in Europe, Verwallstube is worth a visit for the amazing mountain views alone. In the winter months, it opens daily for lunch, while weekly evening candlelight dinners accompanied by piano music are a special experience. Meticulously arranged dishes infused with uplifting flavours range from bouillabaisse to beautifully tender veal cheeks braised in red wine. Truffle mash adds additional charm to the meal.



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On the edge of St Anton village, Museum Restaurant-Café is another excellent choice with a wonderful ambience. Housed in the St Anton Museum, this charming wood-panelled venue serves Austrian cuisine and offers private dining and vegetarian and vegan options. It has the most succulent Tyrolean beef, lamb or trout on a menu prepared with both creativity and tradition. Try the winter salad with caramelised nuts, pear and smoked goose breast, then treat yourself to the mouth-watering crème brûlée.



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The fine international cuisine and excellent wine list at Hazienda, located in the basement of the four-star M3 Hotel, draw in gourmet skiers. Superb pasta dishes and veal are a forte. Classic Austrian restaurant Fuhrmannstube by Buffy is a cosy hideaway, great for tucking into venison stew, traditional dumplings known as knödel, or copious helpings of strudel.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Après adventuring</h3>



St Anton is noted the world over for its après-ski options – think crazy, fun-filled drinking houses brimming with raucous revellers on a high from the day’s excursions on the glorious Alpine slopes. At the legendary MooserWirt, which has been opening its doors to boisterous skiers since 1989, expect loud Austrian music and party-goers dancing on tables, sweating in their salopettes. To the backdrop of non-stop après-ski hits mixed by famous DJs, guzzle down a wide variety of beers to your heart’s content – the venue reportedly gets through a staggering 5,000 litres a day. It’s also a wonderful place to make new friends for the following day’s skiing, but make sure you leave your skis in a safe, easy-to-find spot as you will need them to get back down the slope after your drinking games.



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There are plenty of other notable après-ski hangouts. Sennhütte has a lovely sunlit terrace affording superb mountain views. Tables bounce with skiers swaying with delight to local bands playing country or rock music designed to get the party in full schnapps-happy swing. Just to its north is Heustadl, another hotspot usually bursting at the seams. Located near the end of run no. 50, it offers live music to 6 pm.



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Billed as St Anton’s oldest après-ski haunt, Krazy Kanguruh – owned by Austrian skiing legend Mario Matt – is a lively slopeside bar with a great terrace overlooking the village. It is usually loud, fun and jam-packed from 5 pm to closing around 8 pm. Enjoy the moment as you swig intoxicating tequila and consume quality nosh before getting back on your skis to slide gracefully down to the valley.



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other runs around</h3>



The villages of Lech and Zürs are linked to St Anton over the mountains but are still relatively isolated. With distance comes exclusivity, and Zürs, in particular, has garnered a reputation as one of the most renowned winter sports resorts in the Alps, beloved by the well-heeled and international glitterati.



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Austria has many splendid ski areas aside from Ski Arlberg. The season at Ischgl in Tyrol normally runs until early May since it sits at 2,872 metres above sea level and offers 239 kilometres of pistes, with some as long as 11km. It provides skiing for all levels, and the more accomplished aficionados will be attracted by its daunting slopes of 70% gradient or steeper.



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Silvretta Arena ski resort comprises Ischgl and the Swiss village of Samnaun in the Grisons, which has the added advantage of being a duty-free zone. The Smuggler’s Trail, straggling the Austria-Switzerland border, allows skiers and snowboarders to explore old smuggling routes. The season here starts on 30 November 2024 when English singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding performs at the Top of the Mountain Opening Concert at Silvretta car park against the unforgettable backdrop of the Tyrolean mountains. Another bonus is the foodie’s paradise of Ischgl’s many restaurants.



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Schladming-Dachstein in Styria has some of Austria’s most impressive mountains for skiing and a 230km-expanse of slopes. A high altitude ensures reliable snow coverage at SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser – Brixental in Tyrol, which has had the distinction of being voted the best ski resort in the world on several occasions. Blessed with wide pistes and panoramic views, Tyrol’s Zillertal Arena has the claim to fame for hosting one of the country’s longest descents. It also offers plentiful après-ski entertainment.



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Meanwhile, having Austria’s only ski area with three peaks topping 3,000 metres as well as two glaciers, the popular resort of Sölden in Tyrol is guaranteed to produce wow moments.

Alpine Attitude: In winter, Austria’s Arlberg hills are alive with the sound of skiers – and après party animals

The ancient-modern cities of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto tend to dominate the itineraries of travellers seeking out the Land of the Rising Sun, but for the more intrepid adventurer, Nagano Prefecture could be just the ticket. Located in the central mountainous region of Honshu, the country’s largest island, its main city of Nagano is the highest prefecture capital in Japan. Lying some 245km from Tokyo, it can easily be reached by Shinkansen in about 90 minutes.
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Situated at the confluence of the Chikuma and Sai rivers and enveloped by towering mountains, Nagano’s unique landscape offers a plethora of outdoor activities, gorgeous scenery and hot springs. Beyond the charms of this 377,000-strong city itself, however, are the historic towns and world-class skiing resorts that punctuate its surrounds, so base yourself here and venutre out each day to explore. Here, we highlight some of the most visit-worthy sights of Nagano in winter.
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On Piste 
The powdered peaks surrounding Nagano are not just for show. In fact, roughly 80 ski resorts lie in the vicinity of the city that hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics. Each year, thousands upon thousands of avid skiers of every skill set descend upon the region to take part in the thrilling winter sport.
One of the best spots to bring your skis is Hakuba Goryu Snow Resort, which offers well-groomed slopes of various difficulties with ski-lift access, rental gear, and an adjacent plaza packed with dining options. In addition to bunny slopes and sledding, there are also indoor and outdoor play areas to keep the little ones amused for hours.
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Spring Fever 
After a full day of skiing, a dip in one of Nagano’s many natural hot springs will tend to your sore muscles and provide rejuvenation. If you’re an onsen purist, make sure to include Nozawaonsen – just an hour northeast of the city – on your itinerary. This small town boasts a staggering 30 different springs, and life in the village very much revolves around Japanese bathing culture.
If you’re not in the mood to splurge out on some of the pricier options, Nozawa even offers a handful of free onsen, including Ōyu Hot Spring, which is located near the centre of town, and is famous for the wooden, Edo-style architecture of its bathhouse. Along the way, sample some of the snacks sold by street vendors, including fresh oyaki – buns with vegetable stuffing that are steamed using the piping hot water of the local onsen.
<a href="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu_4.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-62751" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu_4.png" alt="winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu_4" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu_4.png 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu_4-200x133.png 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu_4-600x399.png 600w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu_4-421x280.png 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu_4-120x80.png 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu_4-500x333.png 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu_4-400x266.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></a>
Bathing Apes 
Nagano’s onsen hotspots are not limited to Nozawa. Roughly 30km to the south lies the Jigokudani Monkey Park, one of the prefecture’s most popular tourist attractions, which also boasts a number of trails for keen hikers. Here, waterproof footwear are advised as the paths can get quite muddy.
In addition to steaming springs and spectacular vistas of the snow-dusted peaks, the park – as its name suggests – affords visitors the opportunity to cosy up to the indigenous monkeys, which are known to share a hot-spring dip alongside their homosapien guests.&nbsp;
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Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="//www.gafencushop.com/kiroro-ski-resort-japan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kiroro in Northern Japan may be the finest ski resort you&#8217;ve never heard of&#8230;</a>
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<a href="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu-2.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-62759" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu-2.png" alt="winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu (2)" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu-2.png 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu-2-200x133.png 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu-2-600x399.png 600w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu-2-421x280.png 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu-2-120x80.png 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu-2-500x333.png 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu-2-400x266.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></a>
Crow Castle 
Roughly an hour south of Nagano lies the stunning Matsumoto Castle, a government-listed national treasure. Care has been taken to preserve its original form, so the 30m-high, six-storey structure stands almost identical to when it was first raised in the late 16th century. The black-and-white façade calls to mind a bird taking flight, hence it has been fondly dubbed ‘Karasu-jo’, or ‘Crow Castle’ by locals.
While the castle grounds are free to wander year-round, they appear particularly picture-perfect in the snow. If you visit during peak season, you may even be able to jump on one of the free guided tours. The surrounding area is also well worth exploring, as the town boasts its own brewery and a downtown bar where weary travellers can rest their feet and sip a pint or two.
<a href="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu_9.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-62756" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu_9.png" alt="winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu_9" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu_9.png 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu_9-200x133.png 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu_9-600x399.png 600w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu_9-421x280.png 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu_9-120x80.png 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu_9-500x333.png 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu_9-400x266.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></a>
Ice Cool 
With the majestic Crow Castle as its backdrop, the Matsumoto Ice Sculpture Festival is another major Nagano attraction during the winter season. An annual event that is usually held in late January or early February, the festival spans a weekend, during which visitors can watch amateur and professional sculptors alike carve beautiful ice sculptures of all sizes.
The main competition begins at 6pm, when participating teams are given 12 hours to complete their frozen works of art, with the winners announced the following morning. The festival is also a welcome excuse, if any were needed, to overload on regional culinary treats, down copious amounts of sake and mingle with the locals in a convivial atmosphere.
<a href="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu_2.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-62749" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu_2.png" alt="winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu_2" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu_2.png 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu_2-200x133.png 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu_2-600x399.png 600w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu_2-421x280.png 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu_2-120x80.png 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu_2-500x333.png 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu_2-400x266.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></a>
Enter the Ninja 
Ninjas hold a special place in Japanese culture. The deadly, fleet-footed covert agents of feudal times were instrumental in waging surprise attacks. Today, their military relevance may have disappeared, yet they still capture the imagination, as seen in myriad movies and TV shows.
Kids Ninja Village, a small ninja-related theme park set amid the forest of Nagano’s Mount Togakushi, is designed to educate a new generation on the ancient warrior art. Some of this ‘ninja training’ requires an additional fee, but it’s worth the expense to watch your wannabe spies try their hand at blow darting or shooting throwing stars (shuriken).&nbsp;There are also two mansions, brimming with labyrinths, trapdoors and contraptions, that will have visitors of all ages on edge.
<a href="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu-1.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-62760" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu-1.png" alt="winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu-1.png 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu-1-200x133.png 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu-1-600x399.png 600w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu-1-421x280.png 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu-1-120x80.png 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu-1-500x333.png 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu-1-400x266.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></a>
The nearby Togakure Ninpo Museum is interesting, too, with showcases of tools and weapons once used by the Togakure school of ninja, as well as photographs of the black-shrouded assassins practising various warfare and infiltration techniques. The museum also features a Ninja House, which may look like an ordinary building but reveals an interior of secret doors, passages and traps.
Sharing the same compound is the Museum of Togakushi Folklore, which exhibits tools, clothing, receptacles and furniture used by the local inhabitants of yesteryear for whom Nagano’s breathtaking snowy mountains and exhilarating hot springs were simple, everyday pleasures.
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Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="//www.gafencushop.com/travelling-the-ancient-nakasendo-trail/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Travellin the ancient Nakasendo Trail</a>

winter-escape-exploring-japanese-alps-nagano-japan-travel_gafencu

Winter Escape: Exploring the beautiful Japanese Alps of Nagano

Countless centuries before skiing became a designer downhill distraction for the upwardly mobile, Stone Age hunters were strapping elongated bits of bark to their feet as they set off in pursuit of a reluctant reindeer or an elusive elk in Central Asia&#8217;s Altai region. Indeed, if primitive rock paintings are to be believed, cavemen were keen proponents of this winter pastime some 5,000 years ago or more.
Today, while the required equipment is certainly far more ergonomically engineered, the sport has never been more popular. In fact, every season, more and more would-be snow pros and nursery-slope novices head for the hills, some destined to descend in grand style and some inclined more towards Instagram ignominy under the harsh hashtag &#8220;skifails&#8221;.&nbsp;
<figure id="attachment_44502" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-44502" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-44502" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Snowshoeing-through-crystalline-trees.jpg" alt="Kiroro" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Snowshoeing-through-crystalline-trees.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Snowshoeing-through-crystalline-trees-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Snowshoeing-through-crystalline-trees-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Snowshoeing-through-crystalline-trees-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Snowshoeing-through-crystalline-trees-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Snowshoeing-through-crystalline-trees-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Snowshoeing-through-crystalline-trees-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-44502" class="wp-caption-text">Snowshoeing through crystalline trees</figcaption></figure>
No matter what your level of ability, however, you are sure to find a welcome in Kiroro, a little-known skiing resort tucked away in northern Japan’s Hokkaido prefecture. Although more than 100km away from the nearest international airport, it’s a spot that has one particular attribute that makes getting there well worthwhile – blindingly brilliant snow.
Anyone even vaguely au fait with skiing knows that snow quality makes all the difference when it comes to the sheer enjoyment of the sport. And, with Kiroro enjoying a snowfall of more than 20 metres every year, you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere where the subsequent enjoyment is any more sheer. If that wasn’t enough, the flakes that fall upon the resort are said to be among the world’s lightest and most powdery.
<figure id="attachment_44503" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-44503" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-44503" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Kiroro-has-one-of-the-longest-skiing-seasons-in-the-region.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Kiroro-has-one-of-the-longest-skiing-seasons-in-the-region.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Kiroro-has-one-of-the-longest-skiing-seasons-in-the-region-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Kiroro-has-one-of-the-longest-skiing-seasons-in-the-region-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Kiroro-has-one-of-the-longest-skiing-seasons-in-the-region-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Kiroro-has-one-of-the-longest-skiing-seasons-in-the-region-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Kiroro-has-one-of-the-longest-skiing-seasons-in-the-region-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Kiroro-has-one-of-the-longest-skiing-seasons-in-the-region-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-44503" class="wp-caption-text">Kiroro has one of the longest skiing seasons in the region</figcaption></figure>
The sheer volume of the annual snowfall has also granted Kiroro the longest skiing season in the region – &nbsp;from November to May. Thanks to the gently sloping and heavily-forested Yoichi mountains that Kiroro straddles, it’s possible to experience pretty much every skiing variant there – alpine, cross-country, off-piste and back-country. Even for the few who are ski-averse, there are tempting alternatives on offer, notably snow banana boats, buggies and rafts.
<figure id="attachment_44499" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-44499" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-44499" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/The-Kiroro-a-Tribute-Portfolio-Hotel.jpg" alt="Kiroro" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/The-Kiroro-a-Tribute-Portfolio-Hotel.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/The-Kiroro-a-Tribute-Portfolio-Hotel-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/The-Kiroro-a-Tribute-Portfolio-Hotel-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/The-Kiroro-a-Tribute-Portfolio-Hotel-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/The-Kiroro-a-Tribute-Portfolio-Hotel-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/The-Kiroro-a-Tribute-Portfolio-Hotel-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/The-Kiroro-a-Tribute-Portfolio-Hotel-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-44499" class="wp-caption-text">The Kiroro, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel</figcaption></figure>
While a fair number of travellers who pack the slopes every winter opt to stay in nearby Sapporo and only take day-trips to Kiroro, for those who want to maximise their ski time, there are actually two five-star hotels on site –&nbsp; the Sheraton Hokkaido Kiroro Resort and The Kiroro, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. While the Sheraton is a ski-in, ski-out resort located at the base of the slopes, making it ideal for dedicated skiers and adventure seekers, The Kiroro is more of a laidback, luxury resort.
<figure id="attachment_44501" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-44501" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-44501" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Kiroro-also-boasts-a-Kids-Academy.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Kiroro-also-boasts-a-Kids-Academy.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Kiroro-also-boasts-a-Kids-Academy-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Kiroro-also-boasts-a-Kids-Academy-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Kiroro-also-boasts-a-Kids-Academy-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Kiroro-also-boasts-a-Kids-Academy-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Kiroro-also-boasts-a-Kids-Academy-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Kiroro-also-boasts-a-Kids-Academy-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-44501" class="wp-caption-text">Kiroro also boasts a Kids Academy</figcaption></figure>
It has been designed to have a particular appeal on those for whom skiing is more of a leisure activity. It is here after a long day skiing (or skiving) you can soak in a traditional onsen (Japanese public bath) filled with mineral-rich waters from a natural hot spring. Alternatively, you can detox at the hot stone sauna and relax as the warmth washes away any lingering après-ski chill.
<figure id="attachment_44498" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-44498" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-44498" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Open-air-onsen-at-Kiroro.jpg" alt="Kiroro" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Open-air-onsen-at-Kiroro.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Open-air-onsen-at-Kiroro-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Open-air-onsen-at-Kiroro-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Open-air-onsen-at-Kiroro-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Open-air-onsen-at-Kiroro-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Open-air-onsen-at-Kiroro-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Open-air-onsen-at-Kiroro-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-44498" class="wp-caption-text">Open-air onsen at The Kiroro</figcaption></figure>
After any such session of well-deserved rejuvenation, thoughts may naturally gravitate towards matters more culinary. Thankfully the local Hokkaido fare is anything but disappointing. While the beef from this part of the world is deservedly held in high renown, it is the shabu shabu – a form of Japanese hotpot – that truly deserves the plaudits. As with its Korean counterpart, the diner gets to cook their own thin slices of meat and vegetables and there is, in fact, something almost primeval about roasting your dinner-to-be by a searing fire, while the elements surge and roar just a wall’s span away.
<figure id="attachment_44500" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-44500" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-44500" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ice-Star-Resort-an-igloo-shaped-bar-and-restaurant-made-of-snow.jpg" alt="Kiroro" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ice-Star-Resort-an-igloo-shaped-bar-and-restaurant-made-of-snow.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ice-Star-Resort-an-igloo-shaped-bar-and-restaurant-made-of-snow-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ice-Star-Resort-an-igloo-shaped-bar-and-restaurant-made-of-snow-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ice-Star-Resort-an-igloo-shaped-bar-and-restaurant-made-of-snow-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ice-Star-Resort-an-igloo-shaped-bar-and-restaurant-made-of-snow-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ice-Star-Resort-an-igloo-shaped-bar-and-restaurant-made-of-snow-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ice-Star-Resort-an-igloo-shaped-bar-and-restaurant-made-of-snow-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-44500" class="wp-caption-text">Ice Star Resort, an igloo-shaped bar and restaurant made of snow</figcaption></figure>
Suitably replenished, your next best bet is a trip to the nearby Ice Star Resort – an igloo-shaped bar and restaurant fashioned entirely from snow, which, understandably, has to be reconstituted every year once summer takes its toll. With pretty much everything within made from ice – the tables, the bar counter, the shot glasses, the DJ console and even the seats – some kind of padded trousers are probably in order.
<figure id="attachment_44497" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-44497" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-44497" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Winter-fireworks-at-Kiroro-Square.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Winter-fireworks-at-Kiroro-Square.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Winter-fireworks-at-Kiroro-Square-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Winter-fireworks-at-Kiroro-Square-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Winter-fireworks-at-Kiroro-Square-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Winter-fireworks-at-Kiroro-Square-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Winter-fireworks-at-Kiroro-Square-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Winter-fireworks-at-Kiroro-Square-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-44497" class="wp-caption-text">Winter fireworks at Kiroro Square</figcaption></figure>
On weekends and festive occasions, those hardy souls who can brave yet further cold should then take a nocturnal stroll Kiroro Square-wards where the sky will be ablaze with the resort’s well-rehearsed firework display. As you experience the snow-framed aerial pyrotechnics, you may have to pinch yourself just to help reality reassert itself lest you become lost in what amounts to a zero-degree Disney diorama.
Despite its winter season being so undeniably enchanting, it would be folly to think that Kiroro has nothing to offer over the span of its relatively-short summer. While its trademark lush, soft snow is absent, its freshly-uncovered foliage is the perfect backdrop for hiking or mountain biking, with the Yoichi summit a popular destination and one where you can discover an array of concealed cataracts and culverts.
<figure id="attachment_44496" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-44496" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-44496" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Otaru-Canal-at-night.jpg" alt="Kiroro" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Otaru-Canal-at-night.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Otaru-Canal-at-night-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Otaru-Canal-at-night-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Otaru-Canal-at-night-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Otaru-Canal-at-night-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Otaru-Canal-at-night-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Otaru-Canal-at-night-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-44496" class="wp-caption-text">Otaru Canal at night</figcaption></figure>
No visit to Kiroro, however, would be complete without a trip to Otaru, its 30-minutes-distant sister town. Not so long ago a key commercial hub and the focal point of the region’s fishing industry, it has now morphed from an overworked wharf into a charming tourist-friendly town, complete with picturesque town squares, colourful houses and authentic eateries.
At the heart of this quaint slice of regional Japan is the meandering Otaru Canal, itself one of the most scenic attractions the town has to offer. With several bridges straddling this winsome waterway, you are all but guaranteed to find the perfect photo op, one that is destined to secure slack-jawed admiration wherever you &#8216;post&#8217; it.
<figure id="attachment_44495" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-44495" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-44495" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Otaru-Music-Box-Museum.jpg" alt="Kiroro" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Otaru-Music-Box-Museum.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Otaru-Music-Box-Museum-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Otaru-Music-Box-Museum-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Otaru-Music-Box-Museum-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Otaru-Music-Box-Museum-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Otaru-Music-Box-Museum-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Otaru-Music-Box-Museum-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-44495" class="wp-caption-text">Otaru Music Box Museum</figcaption></figure>
With the envy of distant digital chums assured, there should still be time to wander around the town’s glass workshops, admiring the creations of the local craftspeople or even trying your hand at making your own. Make sure you don’t spend your entire shopping budget here, though, as the next stop on your schedule should be the Otaru Music Box Museum, a true paradise for the retail-minded. Housed in a building dating back to 1902, The Japan Times wasn’t overstating the case when it described this particular institution as housing an &#8220;absolutely phenomenal&#8221; variety of musical novelties.
Indeed, two whole floors of the museum are dedicated to music boxes of every shape and size, with the more classic examples taking pride of place. As you browse through the array on offer, let the ambient music lull your senses as you fully immerse yourself in the moment. It could turn out to be the most singular instant in a trip that’s far from short on competing enchantment.
Text: <a href="mailto:suchetana@itotalmedia.com">Suchetana Mukhopadhyay</a>

Tag: skiing

Alpine Attitude: In winter, Austria’s Arlberg hills are alive with the sound of skiers – and après party animals

Winter Escape: Exploring the beautiful Japanese Alps of Nagano

Kiroro in Northern Japan may be the finest ski resort you’ve never heard of…

Tag: skiing

Blog Section

Alpine Attitude: In winter, Austria’s Arlberg hills are alive with the sound of skiers – and après party animals

Winter Escape: Exploring the beautiful Japanese Alps of Nagano

Kiroro in Northern Japan may be the finest ski resort you’ve never heard of…