MOUNTAIN STATISTICS • Gondola  • Lifts 19 • 1 day pass 6,400 • Highest point 1704 mtrs • Vertical drop 904 mtrs • Longest course 4,630 mtrs • Steepest run 35 c • Terrain park  • Night skiing  Limited • Kiddies area  500 • Daycare 

TSUGAIKE SKI RESORT

LARGE AND UNDERRATED

Tsugaike is a very large resort with a good variety of courses. It has probably the best beginners in Hakuba area at the base of the resort. Up top, there are steeper runs suiting intermediates, and for advanced riders they have the double black diamond tree runs. It is usually less crowded than the other major ski resorts being a little further away from the action.

COURSES IN DETAIL

BEGINNERS

All of the lower slopes are perfect for beginners, wide and very gentle sloping. It is easy to get lessons here with Evergreen Ski/Board School

INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED

The most challenging course is the Uma no se course off the top of the resort down a narrowish ridge line. On the far lookers right of the resort is the Champion slope. It’s steep but quite wide, so most riders will be able to navigate their way down. All of the other upper slopes are of a similar level of dificulty and will suit intermediate riders above.

HIT PARKS

Tsugaike has 2 terrain parks with banks, boxes, rails and a 12 mtr kicker. No half pipe though.

TREE RUNS

Tsugaike has some great tree runs off the top of the resort (access via Tsuga pair lift). It requires you to register and listen to a short YouTube lecture to receive and armband. You do this at Jackie’s Kitchen (top of gondola). You are responsible for your own safety. If the area is closed do not enter-the chance of avalanche may be high. You can then enter the area via one of the 5 gates with gate 1 having the easiest terrain (and arguably most fun) and the other 4 being steep and challenging with cliff zones.

KIDS AREA

Tsugaike has one of the best parks for kids located at the base of the mountain, just to the lookers left of the gondola base. It has a 50 metre long moving sidewalk for kids to ride to the top from where they can either sled down, or learn how to ski. It is 500 for kids and free for accompanying adults. There are also a couple of indoor play areas. For daycare you can off load your kids (between 18mths & 6 yrs) at Evergreen which costs 12,000 for a full day (09.30-15.30 includes lunch). There are half day options available too.

PARKING

The main car park next to the gondola is usually 1,000 on weekends and holiday periods but otherwise free A free alternative is the 2nd parking lot about 400 mtrs past the gondola.

PLACES TO STAY

Whilst there is quite a range of places to stay be warned that it is rather isolated and there are few places to eat off the mountain. As well the only way to get to other resorts is by the Hakuba Valley Bus system . For this reason it is recommended you have your own vehicle if you do stay here. Here is a list of the many places to stay in Tsugaike. For car rentals check out our car rental page.