Kashimayari is a small-medium size ski resort and is the first one you will see coming to Hakuba from Tokyo. It is also one of the least crowded resorts as most people tend to bypass it on the way to Hakuba proper. That is a pity as it has a good range of courses including some very challenging steep ones and some good beginner runs. It also has some great views of the Northern Japan Alps and Kashimayari peak itself is perhaps the prettiest in the whole range. There are free buses there - see the shuttle bus timetable.

THE COURSES IN DETAIL ORIENTATION AND OVERVIEW From the main base at Lake Nakatsuna everyone will catch the quad lift no. 6 which takes you to the top of a bowl where on a clear day you will have amazing views of Mt Kashimayari and other alpine peaks. From the bottom of the bowl in a nutshell you can either catch lift no. 5 on the left hand side, or the no. 1 or no. 7 lift on the right hand side. COURSE 5 Catching lift no. 5 will give you access to courses 5A, 5B and 5C. These are the steepest runs at the resort and parts are often moguled, but it is usually easy to avoid the moguls if you choose. It is possible to see Lake Aokiko from the top of the lift. The official tree run area is on the riders right of 5A, but is short and gets tracked out very quickly. The easiest way down is by following course 5A proper, and intermediates up will have no problem getting down. COURSES 1 & 9 Lift no. 1 will provide you with access to courses 1 & 9 on the northern side of the resort. These are mostly of intermediate level with steepness between 25 c and 28 c . GETTING BACK DOWN TO THE CAR PARK You will need to catch lift no. 2 to get back to the top of the bowl, from there follow the signs to Course 6 on the left (known as the Buna Downhill course. It is quite steep in places and gets icy in the mid to late afternoon. At the bottom of the course there is a small terrain park of sorts suitable for beginners.

DAYCARE AND KIDS AREAS  Kashimayari has a Pokemon themed snow park for kids with sleds, tubing and a snow escalator. You will see it when you get off the first lift from the bottom(lift no. 6). Cost is 1,900 for adults and 1,500 for children, on top of your lift price. There is a daycare service (booking necessary) for 2-6 yr olds. Cost is 3,500 for the first 2 hours then 1,500 per hour after that. PLACES TO EAT  • The only place to eat is at the Central Plaza 1130 at the bottom of pair lift no. 2 with a choice between the Red Cedar Restaurant or the gloriously retro food court area. GETTING THERE  To get here get one of the free shuttle buses (only a few a day) ,or if you are driving they have a free car park. PLACES TO STAY  Most people just catch the shuttle bus rather than stay here.