![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.hyogoajet.net\/hyogotimes\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/P1240085.jpg\" "\\"OLYMPUS")
<\/a>Japan\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s skiing has been kept a secret from the international market for years by the locals and Antipodeans in the know, and for good reason. The powder here is renowned for being particularly light and is eloquently named \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcchampagne powder\u00e2\u20ac\u2122. As soon as I got back from a week of powder in Hakuba over New Year I started researching my next excursion to the snow; some would call it an addiction, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m okay with that. When I got my JET placement I was almost disappointed not to be in the depths of Hokkaido, skiing to school every day. I say \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcalmost\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 because here in Hyogo we have it even better: our location is so good that a long weekend in Hokkaido (see Jetstar or Peach for flights) or up in Nagano (Willers\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 White Express bus 11300\u00e5\u2020\u2020return from Osaka) is very doable. Even better though is that we can do day trips; Hyogo has 15 of its very own snow oases. There is no better feeling than waking up on a crisp Saturday morning and being able to go for a spur of the moment ski. Trust me, I had this luxury when I lived in Italy and it never gets old.<\/span><\/p>\nSo whether you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a powder hound, piste bunny or total novice, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s time to drag yourself out from under the kotatsu, hop on a bus and hit the slopes local style. Hot sake is the new vin-chaud, and you simply cannot beat onsen apr\u00c3\u00a8s-ski<\/em>.<\/p>\n Hyogo\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hottest cold spots\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/em><\/p>\n www.skyvalley.jp<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Beginner 10% Intermediate 70% Advanced 20%<\/p>\n Av snow depth Feb: 185cm<\/p>\n Lifts: 5<\/p>\n One of Hyogo\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s bigger mountains, Sky Valley has 8 runs with the longest just over 3 kilometres. If you like to show off in the park, Sky\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s has enough to keep you amused for the day with rails, boxes, kickers, a half-pipe and sometimes a quarter-pipe. There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s something for every level at Sky Valley, and although it lacks proper pistes for the very advanced, if the snow\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s good then there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s lots of potential to make tracks between the trees. Adorable woodland animals make the piste map easy to navigate, but be careful, the mascot may look deceptively friendly!<\/p>\n Lift pass: 3500\u00e5\u2020\u2020\/day<\/p>\n Skis\/board + boots + skiwear = 6000\u00e5\u2020\u2020\/day<\/p>\n Skis\/board + boots = 4000\u00e5\u2020\u2020\/day<\/p>\n Access: Shinki Bus tour<\/p>\n Return transport from Sannomiya (departing 7:20am) plus day lift pass from 5000\u00e5\u2020\u2020to 6800\\ see website for dates and prices.<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.shinkibus.com\/ski\/ki_daystrip\/skyvalley\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n Mount Rokko<\/span><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Looking out over Kobe bay Mount Rokko is worth a visit at any time of year for the view alone, but come winter you can also enjoy playing in the snow. This small but conveniently located beginners\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 slope is the perfect place for newbies to find their snow legs, or if you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve had a day or two on the slopes before, then head to Rokko for a fun day of sledging and snow men.<\/p>\n Entry 2000\u00e5\u2020\u2020(rentals extra)<\/p>\n Take the Hankyu to Rokko station then the funicular up the mountain.<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.rokkosan.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n Hy\u00c5\u008dnosen<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Fancy testing the slopes of the tallest mountain in Hyogo? About 3 hours North West of Kobe lies the 1509m Mount Hy\u00c5\u008dno. Best accessed by car (or a 50 minute bus from Yoka station), this small resort boasts a snow park and some excellent discounts (Tuesday is just 2500\u00e5\u2020\u2020for the ladies). Hang on to your lift pass for discounts at the onsen down the mountain too \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the perfect way to relax those post mogul muscles.<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.hyounosen.jp\/<\/a><\/p>\n Hachi Kita\/kogen<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n 30% Beginners, 40% Intermediate, 30% Advanced<\/p>\n Average snow depth in Feb: 183cm<\/p>\n Lifts: 13<\/p>\n Hyogo\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s best known and most snow-sure mountain. Avoid the lower slopes which get choked up with learners, and the snow park which fills up early with posers decked out in the new season colours. Up the mountain you avoid the queues and benefit from a variety of slopes, semi off-piste and tree runs. Hachi offers two ski areas on the same pass, but the link run between Kita and Kogen is intermediate level so beginners should plan to stick to one side.<\/p>\n The Hachi Kita\/Kogen area gets busy on weekends, so use the mid-term exams and a day of nenkyu to go make some fresh tracks when everyone else has to work.<\/p>\n Full rental sets: 5000-6000\u00e5\u2020\u2020<\/p>\n Access: Shinki Heart tour<\/p>\n Return bus leaving from Namba, Osaka at 6.45am (other stops en route through Hyogo) to Hachi-kogen.<\/p>\n Basic lift pass\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Extended lift pass<\/p>\n weekends: \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 7500\u00e5\u2020\u2020\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 9200\u00e5\u2020\u2020<\/p>\n weekdays: \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 5000\u00e5\u2020\u2020\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 6500\u00e5\u2020\u2020<\/p>\n Specials (14th<\/sup>, 15th<\/sup>, 20th<\/sup> Feb):\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 4500\u00e5\u2020\u2020\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 5900\u00e5\u2020\u2020<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.shinki-heart.jp\/ski\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.hachi-hachikita.co.jp\/<\/a><\/p>\n I won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t wax lyrical about the wonders of skiing (or snowboarding if you must); that first squeak of snow when you put your skis on, the frozen sparkle in the air on a sunny sub-zero day, the indescribable and somehow inoffensive smell of the boot locker (just me?) but to experience all this and more grab a buddy (all about ski safety) and head to one of these convenient resorts for some frosty frolicking.<\/p>\n The champagne\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s waiting!<\/p>\n Charlotte Griffiths<\/p>\n Japan\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s skiing has been kept a secret from the international market for years by the locals and Antipodeans in the know, and for good reason. The powder here is renowned for being particularly light and is eloquently named \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcchampagne powder\u00e2\u20ac\u2122. As soon as I got back from a week of powder in Hakuba over New…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":82,"featured_media":2395,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false},"categories":[326,107,1],"tags":[328,235,437],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"http:\/\/www.hyogoajet.net\/hyogotimes\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/P1240085.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.hyogoajet.net\/hyogotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2394"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.hyogoajet.net\/hyogotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.hyogoajet.net\/hyogotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.hyogoajet.net\/hyogotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/82"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.hyogoajet.net\/hyogotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2394"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.hyogoajet.net\/hyogotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2394\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.hyogoajet.net\/hyogotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2395"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.hyogoajet.net\/hyogotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2394"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.hyogoajet.net\/hyogotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2394"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.hyogoajet.net\/hyogotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2394"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}<\/a>Sky Valley<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"