Kandatsu Snow Resort

Kandatsu Snow Resort is located in Hakuba Valley, Nagano Prefecture, approximately 200 kilometers northwest of Tokyo. Established in 1984, the resort was developed as part of Japan's ski tourism expansion during the 1980s economic boom and gained international recognition when Hakuba Valley hosted alpine skiing events during the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics.

The resort sits at elevations ranging from 750 to 1,289 meters on the slopes of the Northern Japanese Alps, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountain range. Kandatsu features 8 ski runs with a total length of 6 kilometers, served by 4 lifts including gondolas and chairlifts. The terrain caters primarily to beginner and intermediate skiers, with 60% of runs classified as beginner-friendly. The resort also maintains a snow park for snowboarders and freestyle skiers.

Kandatsu operates exclusively during winter months, typically from mid-December through late March, depending on snow conditions. The resort receives an average annual snowfall of 10-12 meters, with peak conditions usually occurring between January and February. Outside the ski season, the lifts cease operation and the area returns to its natural mountain state.

The nearest train station is JR Hakuba Station on the Oito Line, located 8 kilometers from the resort. Free shuttle buses operate between the station and resort during ski season, with journey times of approximately 15 minutes. From Tokyo, travelers can take the JR Azusa Limited Express to Matsumoto Station and transfer to the Oito Line, with total travel time around 4 hours. Daily lift tickets cost ¥4,200 for adults and ¥2,100 for children. Equipment rental is available on-site, with ski sets starting at ¥3,500 per day.