A morning in Michinoku, Tohoku—a snowy country willed with charm.
A chartered snow cat for just one group: surrender yourself to a course covered in fresh snow, deep powder that shines in the morning light. This is the adventure that awaits. The fun in the morning even begins the night before. This is what is possible in Shizukuishi. A luxurious moment, as you reach out the twinkling stars as you contemplate the night sky. A time of wonderful memories with the people around you. Then, after experiencing all the beauty of the natural world, enjoy the hotel’s special local cuisine, matched with delicious local saké. A time to warm heart and body, all under the magnificent starry northern sky.
15:00
Reserve a superior room that floats in the sky
18:00
Enjoy a local course dinner on this night before a special day
Dinner tonight is at Kobushi, a modern restaurant furnished in warm wood with Nanbu ironware appointments. The main dish is Iwate’s own Maezawa or Tankaku beef, flavored with wasabi and served with special Ginga no Shizuka, an Iwate brand of rice, as well as seafood with a sauce created using local Hitoshizuku ginjo saké, and other dishes in a course meal featuring local ingredients.
20:30
A night ropeway to a world of glittering galaxies
7:00
It’s a miracle: a sight you’ll only find here
Shizukuishi Ski Resort has a course dedicated to cat skiing. That’s unusual enough, but, with a maximum slope angle of 32 degrees, and a total length of 2,984 meters, you won’t be surprised to learn that this was a course that hosted the 1993 Alpine Ski World Championship. Your private cat leaves just after sunrise, and you have the long powder runs all to yourself. The patroller riding with you will be able to tell you all about the snow conditions of the morning, as well as about the charm of the Iwate mountains. With an interesting conversation like this, the roughly 25-minute cat ride will pass by in the blink of an eye—when you step out onto the snow, you’ll feel like the only person on earth. Basking in the bright morning sunlight, you take off towards the sun as if you were skiing up into it. How fast will you go; what kinds of turns will you etch onto the slope?
8:30
The hunt for great views continues
The search for great scenery and powder riding is far from over! Transfer to the Shizukuishi Ropeway, and head to the summit of Sunshine. From here, there’s a spectacular view of the Shizukuishi Basin spreading out at the foot of Mt. Iwate, the Morioka cityscape, an in the southeast, Mt. Hayachine, the second-highest peak in Iwate after Mt. Iwate. After taking a quick photo, let’s head for the powder on the ungroomed Giant Slalom C1
course.
Lunch today is Anekko miso ramen noodles, a favorite of Shizukuishi Ski Resort. This special blend of flavors includes slightly aromatic vegetables, making it one of the most popular local dishes. If you want some Western food, we recommend Alyeska’s omelet rice. Our classic omelet rice with demi-glace sauce is popular, so be sure to try it!
A special scenic experience that lasts a lifetime
The Shizukuishi Ski Resort will help you to make your experience something lasting. We will take photos of your runs down the slope and of the scenery, and present them to you. Images of the experience that are sure to be lifelong treasures.
| Plan name | Exclusive access to breathtaking views and exciting snow fun |
|---|---|
| Fee | From ¥210,000 per person |
| Dates | Weekdays from Monday, January 14 to Friday, February 21, 2025 *Limited to one group per day *Please note: Advanced reservations are required for accommodations and all activities. Please contact the resort by phone. |
| Reservations | Please reserve at least 14 days prior to the intended stay date |
| Times | 5:00 A.M. to 7:00 A.M. |
| Participation | Limited to eight or fewer persons; Superior floor corner twin rooms 4R /8F・9F |
| Included in the plan |
|
First Track regular plan
| Plan name | SHIZUKUISHI Visit the Sunrise First Track Cat Tour |
|---|---|
| Fee | ¥15,000 per person |
| Dates | January 1, 2025 |