While Okayama is generally a mild prefecture, surprisingly there are a handful of skiing options open in winter. These resorts may not offer the snowfall and powder of Hokkaido and northern Honshu, but they are easily accessible, affordable and very beginner-friendly. Found dotted mainly along the mountainous northern border of Okayama, the resorts are a secret spot for those looking to practice their skills without traveling north.
The Climate in Okayama
In summer, Okayama is a humid and warm prefecture, with a rainy season and monsoon cycle similar to the majority of Japan’s main Honshu island. As it is beside the Seto Inland Sea, it has mild winters with limited snowfall in most regions, but to the north, mountainous regions bordering Tottori receive significant snowfall from December, with ski season lasting into March.
Ombara Kogen Ski Resort
At one of Okayama’s northernmost points, Ombara Kogen is in the mountainous Kagamino town, just beside the Tottori border. The elevation ranges from around 800m to 900m and there are 8 courses to choose from. The longest course is 700m, with the majority of courses suited to intermediate and expert-level. There are five lifts to access the slopes, three of them are in "panorama gelande" slope and two are in "lakeside gelande" slope.
A day pass is 4,000 yen for adults and 2,500 for children, although a combination child and adult ticket can be purchased for 5,000 yen. There are half-day tickets as well if just testing the slopes, with lessons available and a free children’s play area.
Spot Information
- Name: Ombara Kogen Ski Resort (岡山県恩原スキー場)
- Address: 2037 Kamisaibara, Kagamino, Tomata, Okayama
- Location: The ski resort is in the very north of Okayama prefecture, close to Onbara Lake.
- Access: The ski resort is a 2-hour drive from Okayama Station or a 1-hour drive from Tottori Station.
- Season: Late December to mid-March
Tsuguro Kogen Ski Resort
Based at the foot of Mount Tsuguro on the northern border of Okayama, Tsuguro Kogen Ski Resort has options for skiers and snowboarders. While it’s rather small, with three slopes of total 2.9km and one ski lift, it has great family-friendly routes, beautiful scenery and its own hot springs. The slopes are between a range of about 600m to 700m, with day passes costing 3,800 yen for adults and 2,000 yen for children on holidays. There is a ski school and rental service available, but items like hats, gloves and goggles are not available. The season begins in late December, with a special ski resort safety prayer ceremony held on December 19th each year.
Spot Information
- Name: Tsuguro Kogen Ski Resort (津黒高原スキー場)
- Address: Hiruzenshitao, Maniwa, Okayama
- Location: The resort is located in the central northern area of Okayama, in the Tsuguro Highlands.
- Access: The resort is a 1.5 hour drive from Tottori City and Okayama City, and from Yonago Airport in Tottori prefecture.
- Season: Late December to early March.
Hiruzen Bear Valley Ski Resort
The temptingly titled Hiruzen Bear Valley Ski Resort is located close to the Daisen-Oki National Park to the north of Okayama. While it may conjure images of animals you wouldn’t want to encounter, BEAR actually stands for ‘Beautiful, Exciting, Adventure, Resort’, which is much more attractive. It has 2.3km of slopes available with two ski lifts and is open to skiing and snowboarding. The resort has four slopes based between 590-730m elevations, with most of the slopes designated as easy to medium levels of difficulty, meaning it’s a great place for families or new skiers or snowboarders. Day passes cost 4,000 yen for adults and 3,000 yen for children, with a kids park costing 500 yen and ski lessons available. The resort offers night skiing throughout the season, finishing at 9 pm from Mondays to Thursdays and at 10 pm on Fridays to Sundays (including weekdays before national holidays).
Spot Information
- Name: Hiruzen Bear Valley Ski Resort (ひるぜんベアバレースキー場)
- Address: 644-105 Hiruzenhonkayabe, Maniwa, Okayama
- Location: The resort is located in the north of Okayama, close to the Daisen-Oki National Park which is predominantly located in Tottori.
- Access: The ski resort is a one-hour drive from Yonago Airport in Tottori and an hour and a half from Okayama City.
- Season: Mid December to mid-March
Ibuki no Sato Ski Resort
Ibuki no Sato is a ski resort with options for sledding and snowboarding too. Located in north-western Okayama, it is one of the easiest resorts to access by public transport, with only a short route bus (Ibuki Liner) ride from JR Niimi Station needed. There are 2.3km of slopes with three ski lifts and an elevation range of between 650m and 850m. There is a good balance in route level, with two-thirds easy, one third medium and one-third more difficult. The ski center has a free shuttle bus from the parking areas and offers a heated relaxation area, a restaurant, a rental shop and a shop selling local goods and produce. There is a ski school with a viewing area for parents as well as hot springs nearby to relax in after a day’s skiing. Day tickets cost 4,000 yen for adults and 3,000 yen for children, with entry to the kids park costing 500 yen. There is also a meal package ticket available for an additional 900 yen per person.
Spot Information
- Name: Ibuki no Sato Ski Resort (いぶきの里スキー場)
- Address: 1336-1 Chiyahanami, Niimi, Okayama
- Location: The resort is located along Route 180 in the northeastern corner of Okayama, to the west of the Daisen-Oki National Park.
- Access: The resort is a 25-minute drive from Kurosaka Station on the JR Hakubi Line, which is just around 2 hours and a half from Okayama Station, with a change at Shoyama. Alternatively, it is a similar distance and cost from Tottori. For drivers, it is a 1.5-hour drive from Yonago Airport, a 2.5-hour drive from Tottori.
- Season: Mid-December to late March
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