Mizuho Highland [Closed]
[Mizuho Highland is currently closed]
Located just over the border in Shimane Prefecture in Ohnan, Mizuho Highland is one of the region’s largest snow resorts.
On a good day, it takes just over an hour to reach Mizuho Interchange on the Hamada expressway (via the Sanyo & Chugoku Expressways) from Hiroshima. At the exit intersection, you are met by colorful snow-gear rental shops and the lifts are just 2.5km.
The resort has two main areas, the “Highland Side” and the “Valley Side”. 5 runs on the Highland Side and 8 on the Valley side are generally open as they are supplemented with artificial snow if the weather doesn’t cooperate. There are also two double black diamond runs on the Valley Side for experts which are open when there is plenty of natural snow.
Mizuho Highland has invested quite a bit in its restaurants and there are a few good places to eat. There is also a kids play zone and a snow park for those who like to get tricky.
Lift passes for the 2017/18 season are ¥4800 for adults for an all day pass, ¥4300 for morning or afternoon passes and ¥2500 for night passes. Kids up to high school age are only ¥1000 and little ones under 6 are free. During the opening (December 16-28) and final weeks (March 1- April 1) of the season, adult lift passes are discounted by ¥300.
Runs on the Highland Side are accessed from the main gondola and these are the runs that are usually opened first – supplemented by artificial snow until there is enough natural snow to open up the valley side too.
| Highland Side | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Japanese | Length | Grade | Difficulty |
| Beech | ビーチ | 1000m | 9.0° | Green |
| Skyline | スカイライン | 1100m | 10.3° | Red |
| Naster | ナスター | 500m | 6.9° | Green |
| Rabbit | ラビット | 1000m | 21.4° | Black |
| Chestnut | チェスナット | 2600m | 12.5° | Green/Red |
| Valley Side | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Japanese | Length | Grade | Difficulty |
| Big Morning | ビッグモーニング | 2000m | 14.5° | Red |
| Little Morning | リトルモーニング | 1300m | 8.0° | Green |
| Crazy Bear | クレージーベア | 700m | 28.1° | Black |
| Deer | ディア | 1600m | 11.9° | Red |
| Tatami | タタミ | 1300m | 11.9° | Red |
| Little Tatami | リトルタタミ | 1200m | 9.0° | Green |
| Zelkova | ゼルコバ | 700m | 16.6° | Black |
</tr >Mizuho Highland has put quite some effort into its dining options with some a wide variety of food that blows away many of the other local snow resorts. At the Chestnut Cafe at the lower gondola station they have a nice wood-fired pizza oven, serve a variety of burgers and snack foods. They are also offering a ¥500 breakfast buffet 7am-9am to entice early-birds.Chestnut Cafe
Upper gondola station
At the top of the gondola there is a nice wooden lodge complex with a nice terrace and a great “deli” cafeteria. They serve Japanese ski resort staples such as various kinds of curry and rice, topped by giant pork cutlets and fried chicken etc. Prices are fairly standard, but the portions are hearty and taste pretty good too. They also serve pastas, pastries and and other light meals.
Back down at the lower gondola station, you might want to check out the “Re:use” second hand snow gear shop which sells used rental gear and stuff that customers sell on to them. It’s a great idea and there is some decent stuff. It could save you a good amount of money.
Address: 6242-19 Ichigi, Ohnan-cho, Ochi-gun, Shimane-ken, Japan 697-0631
Address in Japanese: 瑞穂ハイランド 〒697-0631島根県邑智郡邑南町市木6242-19
Tel: 0855-85-1111
URL:http://www.mizuhohighland.com/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/mizuhohighland/
Getting to Mizuho Highland
Mizuho Highand is 2.5km from the Mizuho Interchange on the Hamada Highway.
| Gear Rental | ||
|---|---|---|
| Set | Adult | Child |
| Snowboard and full gear | ¥7000 | ¥3500 |
| Skis and full skiwear | ¥7000 | ¥3500 |
| Snowboard & boots | ¥4000 | ¥2000 |
| “Free set”(switch between skis and snowboard at any time) | ¥4600 | ¥2300 |
| “Wear set” (jacket & pants) | ¥3500 | ¥1800 |
| Gloves (for sale) | ¥1500 | ¥1200 |
