Appi

Appi Kogen is a compact purpose built resort in the north-eastern part of Japan’s main island, Honshu in the Tohoku Region. Boasting perfectly groomed long runs, this modern resort is ideal for beginners and intermediates. If you’re an advanced skier you’ll find opportunities to challenge yourself on some slopes that are as steep as 32 degrees, and, if you try cat-skiing in the untracked powder. Appi Kogen has night skiing and convenient access to the smaller ski fields of Shimokura (known for its powder) and Matsukawa.

Difficulty

Beginner	30%
Intermediate	40%
Advanced	30%

At a Glance

Terrain Area

283ha

Summit

1,328m

Mt. Vertical

828m

Season

Dec-Apr

Lifts

Accommodation Appi

When you ski in Appi Kogen you can choose to stay in one of the high rise hotels or alternatively, one of many smaller pensions and lodges. Being a purpose designed ski resort, Appi Kogen’s biggest hotel is the Hotel Appi Grand, which is conveniently located right at the resort centre. Here you’ll also find a kids’ snow play area and easy access to the magic carpet and chairlifts.

Skiing & Boarding

Appi Kogen, on the same latitude as Aspen (US) and St Anton (Austria), is known for its long groomed runs and fantastic dry powder, which is so fine that it’s referred to by many as ‘Aspirin powder’. This intermediate skier’s paradise offers 282 hectares of terrain, with some slopes boasting a pitch of 32 degrees, and many runs extending for over 2.1km – usually taking you to the base of Mt Maemori. If you’re a first timer, you’ll love the lower mountain, where you’ll find the magic carpet and the Central First Quad. Conveniently situated outside the resort centre and the main hotel, you’ll be up and down the mountain in no time and ready to take on the next challenge. Advanced skiers will enjoy the steeper slopes of Appi Kogen and the odd tree run. Appi Kogen has night skiing until 8pm, some terrain parks and, if you’re on the hunt for powder, great cat skiing.

Activities

Appi Kogen has plenty to keep the entire family busy within the resort and in nearby Hachimantai. Kids will love the snow-play area with its tubes, toboggans, and more, as well as the magic carpet outside the main hotel where they can practice skiing. Ski lessons are available in English for kids over the age of seven and private lessons in English can be booked for younger children. For a break from the snow, day care is available for kids one to 10 years and they can learn about the local fauna, and flora and engage in craft at the local Nature School. For adults, Appi Kogen has a snowshoe course with a tea house, an indoor lap pool and hot pool. While the hotels have restaurants, you’ll find more choice in Hachimantai, along with shopping. There are two smaller ski fields nearby – Shimokura which boasts fabulous powder and Matsukawa, which along with great snow, has a traditional onsen.

Getting There & Around

To get to the resort, you’ll need to fly into Narita. From here, catch the Narita Express train into Tokyo, which takes an hour and then the Shinkansen bullet train to Morioka, which takes just over two hours. From Morioka you can travel direct by bus to the resort or by local train to Appi Kogen Station and on to the resort by free bus.