Do you know what kind of ski resort "Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort" is?
In this article, for those who are thinking of going skiing or snowboarding at the Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort, I will introduce the features, charms, and disadvantages that are not written in guidebooks, as well as what you can actually do. I am writing a review of what I have noticed.
In addition, we also introduce how to get discounted lift tickets for Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort.
Karuizawa Prince Hotel ski slope information
Karuizawa Prince Hotel ski resort basic information.
Features of Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort
Karuizawa's resort-like ski resort
The atmosphere of Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort is a bit of a high-class resort, as Karuizawa Prince Hotel was built on the premises.
I have the impression that the parking lot, lift ticket office, and restaurant staff are more polite than other ski resorts. I think that's all the staff training is thorough.
At the top of the mountain, there is a shop where you can drink Karuizawa beer under the blue sky, and it feels elegant.
Large panorama overlooking Mt. Asama
From the top of the Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort, you can see Mt. Asama (altitude 2,568m).
Mt. Asama is a symbolic mountain of Nagano, such as being used for the name of "Asama" of the Nagano Shinkansen.
In winter, Mt. Asama becomes a magnificent mountain with snow on its summit.
The mountain where the Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort is located is Mt. Yagasaki, and you can go up to the summit of Mt.
From the top of Mt. Yagasaki, you can see Mt. Asama and the mountains in the direction of Yamanashi.
Easy access from Tokyo
Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort is easily accessible, taking about 2 hours and 20 minutes by car from Tokyo on a one-way trip.
In addition to cars, this ski resort is easily accessible by using the Hokuriku Shinkansen. On the Hokuriku Shinkansen, it takes about 1 hour to 1 hour and 20 minutes one way.
Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort is easily accessible by car or train.
high sunny weather
Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort is known for its high rate of fine weather.
All the ski resorts in this area tend to have a good rate of fine weather.
On the day I went to Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort, the weather forecast was cloudy, but when I went there, it cleared up.
Therefore, it is a recommended ski resort for those who want to enjoy skiing and snowboarding in fine weather.
Substantial surrounding facilities
Karuizawa is famous as a summer resort, but it also has various entertainment facilities.
Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza (outlet), Harunire Terrace, hot springs in various places, stylish restaurants, etc…
This ski resort is recommended for those who want to enjoy something different from skiing and snowboarding, or who prefer shopping and dining options.
For day trip hot springs, we recommend Hoshino Onsen Tombo-no-Yu operated by Hoshino Resorts. The usage fee is a little expensive (¥1,350 for adults), but it is a very clean and relaxing hot spring facility.
Tonbo no Yu is about 15 minutes by car from Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort.
How to get discounted lift tickets
Use Asoview's plan
There is a discount lift ticket coupon for the Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort on the outdoor activity reservation site Asoview.
If you use Asoview's lift ticket coupon, it will be 40% cheaper than the regular price if you go on weekdays.
On weekends and holidays, you need to pay an additional ¥1,000 locally, but it's still cheaper than the regular price.
Save up to 40% on lift tickets!
・1 day lift ticket x 2 coupons
・It is possible to use 2 people per day, or 1 person x 2 days.
・There is an additional charge for the year-end and New Year holidays and Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
・Regular ¥15,000 to ¥9,000
・Payment is credit, payday, PayPay
SEIBU PRINCE CLUB
If you install the SEIBU PRINCE CLUB app on your smartphone and present your digital membership card when purchasing a lift ticket, you will receive ¥1,000 off the regular price, plus 1 point for every ¥100 spent.
The accumulated points are 1 point = 1 yen, and can be used as a discount for purchasing lift tickets. In addition to purchasing lift tickets, you can use it at Seibu/Prince affiliated hotels, rides, shopping, etc.
Use of the app is free.
Is it possible to go by Shinkansen?
If you go to Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort by Hokuriku Shinkansen, it takes about 1 hour to 1 hour and 20 minutes one way. The biggest advantage is that there are no traffic jams on the way back and forth.
However, when using the Shinkansen, there is a disadvantage that you have to carry your luggage yourself.
Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort is an 11-minute walk from Karuizawa Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen (Nagano Shinkansen).
So if you want to walk, it's within walking distance.
If walking with heavy luggage is difficult, you can use a taxi.
If you plan to use the Shinkansen and stay overnight, you need to consider how to get from the ski resort to your hotel or ryokan.
Some hotels and ryokans may have a pick-up service.
If there is no pick-up service, I think taking a taxi is an easy way.
It's a little more expensive, but if you stay at the Karuizawa Prince Hotel, you don't have to worry about transportation because the hotel is on the premises.
Disadvantages of Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort
Lift tickets, rental fees, and meals are slightly expensive
Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort has a luxury resort feel, but on the other hand, lift ticket fees, rental fees, school fees, and meals at the ski resort tend to be slightly higher.
There aren't many cheap lift tickets available, so it's recommended to save points from SEIBU PRINCE CLUB introduced here and use them next time.
If you want to keep the rental fee low, it is a little troublesome, but you can get a great deal by using another rental shop around the ski resort.
If you go by car, we recommend "Ski House Karuizawa Prince Street 2".
For meals on the slopes, please refer to this.
My personal recommendations are soba "Chojian" and pasta "Trattoria Primo".
| restaurant name | main menu | price range | Tabelog evaluation | Google rating |
| Soba "Chojian" | Soba and rice bowl | ¥1,000～ | 3.17 | 3.6 |
| Restaurant Azalea | Western food, curry, ramen | ¥1,200～ | 3.22 | 3.3 |
| Usagiyama Kitchen House | Curry, rice bowl, udon | ¥850～ | - | - |
| Trattoria Primo | pasta | ¥1,000～ | 3.17 | 3.3 |
| Snow Bal Vigore | hot dog | ¥500～ | 3.00 | - |
Long cruising is not possible
The longest course on the Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort is about 1,500m.
It's not that long, so if you want to do long cruising, or if you like to ski long distances at once, this ski resort may not be suitable for you.
The Kanetsu Expressway on the way home from Tokyo area is congested
The nearest IC to Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort is Usui Karuizawa IC, which is on the Joshinetsu Expressway. When returning from the Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort to the Tokyo metropolitan area, join the Kanetsu Expressway at the Fujioka Junction on the way.
There are many ski resorts that can be reached from the Tokyo metropolitan area on both the Joshinetsu Expressway and the Kanetsu Expressway, so it is often crowded during the return hours.
To avoid traffic jams, it is best to stagger your return time zone, but the congestion on the Kanetsu Expressway can extend until midnight, so it is recommended to return home early.
If you really hate traffic jams, you can also try using the Shinkansen.
Search for hotels and ryokans near Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort
If you go to Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort, how about staying overnight?
Karuizawa is a wonderful place where you can enjoy not only skiing, but also hot springs and shopping, making it a perfect place for a long stay.
If you look around, you'll find a lot of surprisingly cheap lodgings.