Ikenotaira Ski Resort Myoko
The Ikenotaira Onsen Ski Resort is one of the Myoko ski resorts and it’s ideal for beginners to intermediates. Ikenotaira is also particularly good for budding powder hounds because the slopes are mellow, there are gladed easy tree runs, plenty of powder, and there is little competition for freshies compared to the rest of
Myoko Kogen. The only time Myoko Ikenotaira isn’t so good for powder puppies is when the snow is super deep and you need a wax, because it’s easy to get bogged.
The resort is attempting to rebrand itself as the Alpen Blick Snow Resort (in line with the
Alpen Blick Hotel at the base), but all the locals call it “Ike” for short and they might have some trouble getting the new name to stick.
The abandoned lift at the top of the Ikenotaira is indicative of former financial hardship, but now Ikenotaira is a ski resort to keep an eye on. There are plans afoot to install a gondola to increase the vertical and size of the ski area, plus other modernisation.
Pros and Cons of Ikenotaira Onsen
Pros
- The terrain is ideal for beginners to learn.
- The Ikenotaira Myoko Ski Resort has opened some official tree runs that have been gladed and are ideal for those learning to ski or ride trees.
- The ski area is a quieter alternative to the other main Myoko ski resorts, so L-plater powder hounds can experiment in the powder in peace.
- Ikenotaira accommodation tends to provide good value for money, and restaurants are inexpensive.
Cons
- It’s a mellow mountain, so those looking for steeps should head elsewhere. When the powder is a bit heavy or deep, there isn’t enough gradient to keep momentum.
- It’s a small ski area.
- A few of the lifts are very slow.
- The Ikenotaira village is rather spread out so some accommodation requires a shuttle or decent walk to get to the slopes. There are a limited number of restaurants and access to a vehicle would be handy to go out at night.
- Transport connections to other ski areas are limited compared to Akakura.
- It’s not the ideal base if you need childcare or group snowsports lessons.
Pro or Con Depending On Your Perspective
- In the “village” of Ikenotaira Onsen there are lots of locals that don’t speak English and it has retained its traditional Japanese-ness. As part of traditional customs, you’ll need to bring cash.
- Ikenotaira Ski Resort is usually renowned for having a great terrain park and pipe, although of late the park has not always been well established.
Ikenotaira Ski and Snowboard Terrain
Ikenotaira is medium sized for a Japanese ski resort (so in other words it’s small!) with only 10 courses (ie piste) and 6 lifts. Like its neighbour
Suginohara, Ikenotaira is more long than it is wide, with a vertical drop of 740 metres (760 – 1,500m).
The trails at Ikenotaira Ski Resort are mostly for beginners and low-end intermediates. The green runs are located near the base and vary from open wide to tree lined trails, whilst the intermediate slopes are located in the top half of the resort and are wide with plenty of room for error. There is nothing on offer for advanced riders on-piste, yet there is a little bit of mellow tree skiing for low-end advanced riders.
Ikenotaira Snow
Many of the Japanese ski resorts are not big on boasting about their mega snowfall statistics, and Ikenotaira is no exception. Myoko Ikenotaira is well blessed by Puki Yuki, the Japanese snow goddess, and the average seasonal snowfall is thought to be about 13 metres. Ikenotaira snow quality is generally very good during winter, although the slopes have a southeast facing aspect so they don’t fare well when temps rise.
Where is Ikenotaira Onsen?
Located in Myoko Kogen, the Ikenotaira Ski Resort has
Suginohara Ski Resort to its south and Akakan to its north, but the Myoko ski areas are not interconnected via the slopes and lifts. The Ikenotaira Ski Resort has Ikenotaira Onsen (hot spring) village at its base area, which is 4km from downtown Myokokogen (where the train station is) and 3.5km from Akakura Onsen (the main village of Myoko Kogen).
From the Tokyo Narita or Haneda Airport you can get a shuttle to Myoko or a train/bus combo with
Nagano Snow Shuttle. See the
Ikenotaira travel page for information on getting there and around.
Ikenotaira Onsen Accommodation
The base area isn’t really a village but more of an assortment of pensions, hotels and ryokans that are quite spread out. Very few of the Ikenotaira lodgings are slopeside, and whilst some are within walking distance of the ski resort, others require a car to get there or a shuttle from the accommodation host.
Some of the Ikenotaira Onsen lodgings have hot springs and offer half board considering that other evening dining options in Ikenotaira Onsen are somewhat limited.
An advantage of staying in Ikenotaira Onsen is that the accommodation is mostly economical, or if you want to stay in a fancy place,
Lime Resort Myoko is lovely and offers beautiful onsen and shuttles to the Myoko ski resorts.
Ikenotaira Onsen Accommodation Listings
Facilities
The Ikenotaira Onsen ski resort facilities are adequate and include a good ski and snowboard equipment rental shop.
The main base area has a few no-frills eating spots, including a restaurant that specialises in katsu curry. Or over at the Alpen Blick base you can get a more elaborate feed and a Myoko Kogen beer.
Other amenities include a gift shop, convenience store, and an amazing kids’ play area (open weekends only). Day visitors can also enjoy a soak in an onsen and the resort offers lift ticket plus onsen deals. The onsen is about 700 metres down the road from the main base of the ski resort, and also offers a lovely napping area.
There are a couple of international snowsports schools based in Akakura that can provide private lessons (but not group lessons) at Ikenotaira.
[AdListings collection="Japan" category="Myoko Kogen" subcategory="Ikenotaira Rentals"]
Ikenotaira Restaurants & Bars
[AdListings collection="Japan" category="Myoko Kogen" subcategory="Ikenotaira Onsen Restaurants"]