Diary of Hotel Heights

Recent cold made big icicles.

2012-01-16T16:49:00.003+09:00

You can see Mt. Kasadake and Kuma-no-Yu ski area from the gap of the icicle.

Happy family from the New Zealand

2012-01-09T16:09:00.000+09:00

I felt happy to see them relaxed in the lobby every night.

The father and two sons stayed at Hotel Heights four years ago.
They were able to come to Shiga Kogen with whole family this time.
They love skiing and enjoyed a 6-day stay in Shiga Kogen.

We are looking forward to seeing you again after four years!

The family who came from Malaysia

2011-12-19T20:48:00.000+09:00

They enjoyed skiing in Kumanoyu and Yokoteyama for four days. They stay at Ichinose for the next several days and try other ski areas of Shiga Kogen including Ichinose,Okushiga,Yakebitai, etc.
When they arrived on December 15th, there was a little snow. But it snowed every day for these several days, so the condition became better and better. I hope they enjoy the powder snow of Shiga Kogen.

Terima kasih banyak-banyak. Jumpa lagi!

Kumanoyu ski area on November 26, 2011

2011-11-27T08:40:00.001+09:00

Five guests from United States.

2011-01-30T14:40:00.003+09:00

They are sitting down on the tatami mat at the lobby.

After a stay of one week in Shigakogen,
they depart for Kyoto and Ohsaka today.

Enjoy your trip in Japan!

Kumanoyu Ski Area

2011-01-19T10:46:00.004+09:00

The splendid scenery appeared after a snowstorm of four days.

Yokoteyama ski & snowboard area in Shiga Kogen on January 8th.

2011-01-09T12:32:00.007+09:00

What a beautiful day!

Our new staffs made a big snowman.

2011-01-01T18:48:00.002+09:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Ichinose on December 6.

2010-12-08T20:30:00.001+09:00

Kumanoyu on December 4

2010-12-08T20:20:00.002+09:00

The opening ceremony of this season was held at Kumanoyu Skiing area on December 4.

The skiing season has begun!

2010-12-08T20:10:00.002+09:00

In the Kumanoyu skiing area, one lift has begun to work from November 18th.

First Snow in Shiga Kogen

2010-12-08T20:00:00.002+09:00

Kumanoyu Ski Area on Octover 27, 2010.

Perfect conditions at the end of March

2010-03-27T09:11:00.007+09:00

Slowly spring approaches even the mountains in Shiga-kogen. Nevertheless, a lot of snow was falling the last few days and now it is beautiful weather again. Powder snow, minus degrees and sunshine, perfect conditions for skiing and snowboarding at this years' end of the season. Maybe spring shows some mercy and stays away for some more time...

Guests from Hawaii and Brazil

2010-03-27T08:55:00.003+09:00

In mid-March we had a Brazilian/Hawaiian couple staying with us for 3 nights. In the mornings they went out on the slopes and tried their best on the snowboard, it being the first time on a board for her. Returning to the hotel in the evenings, we hope the hot spring helped them with their muscle pain. :) It was nice to have you here!

Special Event in March - to enjoy the last period of this years' ski season!

2010-03-09T18:57:00.004+09:00

Best prices! Weekdays during March only

2 day lift pass plan for Shiga Kogen ski fields.
Breakfast and Dinner is included in this plan, you may choose dinner at either one of our two restaurants. There is a Japanese style menu located at the 1st floor restaurant or a choice of Sesame seed hot pot or Shabu-shabu on even days and Lamb barbecue or Ishiyaki Steak on odd days, at the ‘Hotaruno’ restaurant located downstairs.

There is ski rental available for 3600yen per person per day. Before check in and after checking out, you may use the hot springs, and changing rooms located downstairs.

Please collect your lift pass when you complete the registration form at reception after 7:30am.
Fixed dates; 1st March 2009 - 31st March 2009
Reservation; Please make a booking 2 days before your day of arrival.

When picking up your lift passes you need to pay a deposit.
This deposit is 10000yen per adult. Other then this deposit you may pay for the accommodation with a credit card.

Note:
You may not exchange for a lift pass on the following days;
March 6th, 13th, 20th, 21st and 27th (Although if you are staying for 2 days starting from Saturday, you may exchange your lift pass on the Sunday for 2 consecutive days of skiing).
Room Facilities; Bath/toilet facilities, between 2-4 beds per room, Heater, TV, Hair dryer, internal use telephone, light stand.

If you want to make a reservation, please us the following link:
http://reservation.shigakogen.gr.jp/plan.php?hid=3030&pd=3&mode=2&other

...or give us a call!

We would be glad to welcome you to Hotel Heights. :)

This year's foreign staff

2010-01-28T11:11:00.009+09:00

Since the middle of December 2009 there are some foreign staff at Hotel Heights again, working and enjoying the snow at their free time!

Oliver from England and Siobhan from Scotland, who will gladly serve you at our bar "Papermoon" when you want to socialize in the evenings.

A while ago we had a big group of ~50 guests from all over the world, the party in the evening was great fun for everyone.

Some of the staff went to the monkey park at Jigokudani Yaen Koen a few weeks ago, being totally taken by the sight of the bathing snow monkeys so close by one could almost touch them. From right to the left: Alison from Australia, who works at the Tourist Information Center, Oli, Siobhan and me, Front Desk Ronja from Germany. ;)

A Winter Fairy Tale in Shiga-kogen

2010-01-26T10:20:00.009+09:00

In mid-January we had some very fine days, with a lot of sunshine and powdery snow:

If you go all the way up to Yokoteyama (2307m) when it is good weather, you will have a nice view over the ski areas, Kasa mountain and even the Japanese Alps in the far background.

A little bit further away from Hotel Heights there is the big ski area "Giant".

Also from Higashidateyama Ski Area, one can see the Japanese Alps on the horizon.

Quite a winter fairy tale feeling, isn't it?

Kuma no Yu

2009-12-18T11:47:00.003+09:00

Some pictures of the ski area "Kuma no Yu", taken on December 08th.

Yokoteyama

2009-12-18T11:38:00.003+09:00

Beautiful view of Mount Yokoteyama (picture taken on December 04th).

A lift has begun to work.

2009-11-20T15:46:00.000+09:00

In Kumanoyu ski area,
only the second lift started service
in a course of 600m, on Friday, November 19.

First Snow in Shigakogen

2009-11-03T19:43:00.004+09:00

Ski lesson

2009-03-25T08:28:00.003+09:00

The Hudson Family, staying with us for 3 days are from Cairns, Australia.
Today they went on a skiing lesson with Kasadake ski school. They had good weather conditions, with the snow turned ice (from the rain we had over the weekend) turning back into snow by about lunch time.
They did very well their instructors said, and they even went all the way to the top of Yokoteyama. By the end of the day I would imagine they would be enjoying their much awaited hot spring time.

My parents stayed for 4 days here.

2009-03-12T15:17:00.003+09:00

My parents came over for 4 days stay for my birthday.
I received a snowboard and binding set for my birthday, I now have 3 weeks left to use it as much as I possibly can before I finish up here.
Today they were going back to Tokyo before making their way back to Australia.

I taught them both how to snowboard, which was pretty funny to start with.
They did however go home with brusies all over them, thankfully no borken bones!

Thanks muchly Mum and Pete.
I know you will be reading this!!

Sunday the 8th at the Snow village

2009-03-09T15:11:00.001+09:00

We went to the Snow village on sunday night.
There was fireworks, food stalls, snow slide and also a outlet market.
At 8:30pm there was also a raffle and the first prize winner had the choice of a ski set or snowboard set. The winner chose the snowboard set!

The night ended at around 9:30pm with Meg and I buying around 6 crepes from one of the food stalls before it shut and we went home!
It was a very good night

Snow festival

2009-03-03T15:19:00.002+09:00

The snow slide is nearly finished!
This is one of the enjoyments you can have at the snow festival, along with fireworks on the 7th 8th and 14th of March.
There is also a outlet market and food stalls during this period of time.

Shuttle bus services are avaliable to and from the snow village on the 7th, 8th and 14th of March ONLY

Japanese Elementary Ski Comp!

2009-03-01T15:15:00.000+09:00

Ski competition held at Nishitateyama.

Shiga Kogen, backcountry ski tour 2009

2009-02-28T15:12:00.001+09:00

Photo taken at the top of Yokoteyama.
Before the start of the Shiga Kogen, Backcountry ski tour for 2009

Snow Village

2009-02-22T12:33:00.000+09:00

We went and saw the lights at the snow village.

The 2nd Snow village started on the 21st of February and goes until the 14th of March.

2009-02-17T08:27:00.000+09:00

The snow is back!

At Hasuike there was about 25cm of snow last night.
And it looks to keep snowing. currently it is -10℃
Hopefully it continues to snow this week, to replenish the snow from the other night when it was raining.

2009-02-14T11:14:00.003+09:00

Staying with us again this year was Andrew, this time he came with friends.
They were here for 1 week, and went snowboarding most days.
As for next year, they will be back!

2009-02-14T11:05:00.003+09:00

Guests from New Caledonia stayed with us for 6 nights.
Snowboarding almost everyday, they also went saw the monkeys and went sledding.
They also enjoyed chatting with people from Japan, Brazil, Australia, Hong Kong, America, Finland and England.

We have a guest!

2009-02-07T11:43:00.000+09:00

This was out the front of the hotel this morning.

2009-02-07T09:24:00.000+09:00

Beautiful weather today.
These snowboarders are crossing the Hasuike pond (Hasu pond), to the Ropeway station

Mt Asama smoking peacefully

2009-02-05T08:58:00.001+09:00

Meg went up the top of Yokoteyama today, good conditions for seeing Mt Asama.
It seems to be smoking peacefully on its own!
I have not been able to go up myself on a day with such fine weather.

Thanx for the pics Meg

2009-02-03T09:15:00.003+09:00

Kasadake viewed from Yokoteyama

Yokoteyama is all ready for tomorrow.

After the snow

2009-02-02T09:13:00.000+09:00

Shiga Kogen after a weekend of snow.

2009-02-01T19:47:00.001+09:00

After a nights snow, it all has to be moved in the morning.
This is the car park at the front of the hotel, during the clean up!

All the way from Cairns

2009-02-01T19:38:00.000+09:00

Holidaying in Shiga Kogen, was the Diacko family.
Coming from Cairns Australia, to holiday in the snow.
From here they were going to Tokyo, hope the girls were surprised by Disneyland!
Hope to see you again some time.

Our Brazilian friends

2009-02-01T11:44:00.002+09:00

They have stayed here once a month this season.
This time around they cooked brazilian food and made drinks for us.
It was very enjoyable.
Cant wait till they come back again this month!

2009-01-28T13:30:00.000+09:00

Was great weather again today, has been sunny all week.
The snow seems to be melting a little bit though, hopefully the forecasted snow will come over the weekend.

This is a picture of Mt Kasadake, it can be accessed by Kumanoyu.

Going for a Ski lesson

2009-01-25T15:34:00.005+09:00

During our lunch break the girls decided to take a ski lesson. (Although 2 of them had previously tried snowboarding.)
Decked out in rented ski gear, and lift passes in hand they started off towards Mt Yokote. I went along as the camera man!!
When we got there they were taught how to get onto and off the lift.
As they all got on they screamed!

Once at the top the lesson began.
I however had to trek back down the mountain as i had to go back to work.
How they went i do not know. Hopefully they didnt hurt themselves.

Tiffany

Snow shoe hiking

2009-01-20T21:10:00.003+09:00

Today Meg went Snow Shoe Hiking.

Although it started out cloudy, the weather got better and it turned out to be a good day for hiking.

It started at 10am and finished at 3pm.
She highly recommends everyone to go on the hike.

ps will uploaded pictures soon!

Okushiga kogen.

2009-01-16T19:01:00.000+09:00

It was my day off today, so Meg and I went out for the day.
We caught the bus to Hasuike and then caught the gondala from there.

Went went all the way to Okushiga kogen, on the way we had lunch at a ramen shop near Prince hotel.

We then caught the bus back here which took an hour.

It was a good day for sight seeing.

Tiffany

Photos from Monkey Park

2009-01-08T08:54:00.001+09:00

Photos taken by Meg.

2009-01-07T17:43:00.004+09:00

The weather was great today, so I thought I would go snowboarding.
This picture is taken on the way up the Yokoteyama ski lift.

On a very clear day I have been told you can see Mt. Fuji.
Unfortunatley we couldn't see it today. (v_v)

Tiffany

2009-01-04T11:18:00.000+09:00

A group of 13 people, (originating from India, living in Japan) came and stayed for 1 night.
They joined a group skiing lesson, but the next day only 2 of them went skiing. The others all went and saw the Monkeys.
At the moment the monkeys are very popular

Phir　Milenge！　　See you again

2009-01-04T11:11:00.001+09:00

On holidays in Shiga kogen are the Vogan family. This picture was taken on their last day, they were making their way to Hakuba from here.
Hope you have a good time. Please come back again soon.

Happy new year

2009-01-01T11:27:00.001+09:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Taken at the Kumanoyu torch event

2008-12-31T10:59:00.000+09:00

Holidaying in Shiga kogen are some customers from hong kong.
I hope you have a good year, and we hope to see you again next season.

Christmas dinner

2008-12-25T08:32:00.004+09:00

This is our christmas dinner, and cake.
The cake was good, and the dinner was too. Just a little bit to too much to eat for one person though. (^-^)

I only just found these photos therefore am uploading them now.

Yokoteyama

2008-12-19T19:14:00.001+09:00

Kumanoyu

2008-12-18T19:06:00.003+09:00

A lucky day.

2008-12-03T20:38:00.007+09:00

An ermine came over here this morning!

Yokoteyama

2008-11-29T20:29:00.001+09:00

Yokoteyama skiing and snowboarding area.
Two lifts are working from Nov.28 '08.

Kumanoyu skiing area

2008-11-21T10:51:00.002+09:00

One lift has begun to work today in Kumanoyu skiing area.

The first snow in Shiga Kogen

2008-11-06T11:40:00.005+09:00

The first snow fell in this neighborhood on October 29.　
This is the Kuma-no-yu ski area on November 2.
The skiing is not yet possible.

Colored leaves 　October 22, 2008.

2008-10-22T23:20:00.002+09:00

The autumn scenery of Kammandaki waterfall and Maruike.

Colored leaves

2008-10-09T16:26:00.001+09:00

KUMANOYU ski area in the beautiful colored leaves season.

The first snow

2008-09-27T19:13:00.000+09:00

The first snow has come to the Mt. Yokote on September 27.

Gensen

2008-09-11T11:26:00.002+09:00

This is the source of the hot spring of our hotel.

Rindo

2008-09-11T10:51:00.002+09:00

Blue flowers in the Yokoteyama ski area.

Yanagiran

2008-08-23T11:08:00.002+09:00

Ski areas are covered with flowers during the green season.

Kumanoyu in the summer

2008-08-23T10:46:00.007+09:00

Last night of Snow Village

2008-03-23T16:38:00.006+09:00

With a spectacular ending of snow village, we hope to have a great event again next year !!!

Snowman

2008-03-20T11:40:00.005+09:00

At the foot of Yokoteyama, there was a festival for kids, with as theme :
" look for the Snowman".

The little kids, playing in the snow and running in and out of the tunnel !!

50 days of skiing and boarding

2008-03-17T08:42:00.006+09:00

2 guests stayed at our hotel for 9 nights, 10 days of skiing and boarding in Shiga.

Before they came here, they enjoyed the snow for 40 days in Hakuba.

Because of the Spring weather they were glad to come to Shiga as a final, because the snow is still all right, compared to Hakuba this time: where there final words before they left the hotel.

After 50 days of snow, they will be returning to Australia.

Snow Village

2008-03-16T09:02:00.011+09:00

A Super first night at Snow VIllage !!

Bad weather

2008-03-11T16:22:00.005+09:00

After sunsine comes :

You coundn't see anything around you...

Sunny Shiga

2008-03-10T16:08:00.002+09:00

Yesterday was a very very sunny day in Shiga Kogen ~ !!!

GRAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH

2008-03-07T17:31:00.002+09:00

WELCOME ~ !!!!

Made by the staff of Hotel heights.

4 Friends

2008-03-05T18:47:00.002+09:00

4 Animal friends.
Studying at the same school together, to become a veterinary. They were interested in the animals living in snowy Shiga.
As you can see they are "Panda's" them selves ;)

'We will defiantly come again!!' were there words to Shiga

5 Friends

2008-03-05T10:13:00.003+09:00

5 friend together for 3 days of skiing and boarding.

about Shiga:

コースが広くって最高～！！

(it is superb how wide the ski area is!!)

Fance

2008-03-03T10:11:00.003+09:00

They live in Nagoya, but are originally from France.

Together with there children they can out to Shiga Kogen for lots of snow fun !!

Japan highest BAKERY !!

2008-03-02T16:14:00.004+09:00

On top of Yokoteyama and Shibutogen is Japan highest bakery.

2307 meter high in the sky they have a beautiful few all around.

Daily open from 9:30 - 15:00.

One bear

2008-03-01T17:31:00.005+09:00

One bear in front of the Hotel

Super Snow

2008-02-24T17:08:00.005+09:00

Heavy snowfall during the night, with a total of more then 1 meters of snow in front of the hotel. Today during the morning only 1 lift in the whole of Shiga Kogen was able to run. Through out the day a couple more where able to get some movement, but a total of 5 lifts run was the max (this out of 74 lifts).

2008-02-23T10:24:00.002+09:00

22 Feb from Yokoteyama A beautiful day through out Shiga Kogen.

The mountain you see is Kasadake.

Snow Family

2008-02-18T10:32:00.006+09:00

As I turned around my head away from the front desk ~ All the
sudden this Family was standing in from of our hotel !! All of them together just waiting in the cold…
.. are they not CUTE !!

2008-02-15T08:35:00.003+09:00

2 days of snow.

A beautiful few from out our side onsen (hot spring). Great powder snow is ever where and forms this beautiful few, while sitting in the bath.

Lots of snow ~ !!

2008-02-13T07:53:00.000+09:00

A very heavy snow fall last night. About 60 cm of snow packed up in front of out hotel.

This snow fall will probably set a record this year!!

From Yokoteyama

2008-02-11T16:10:00.000+09:00

A Very Very Sunny Day in Shiga Kogen !!

From Hong Kong

2008-02-10T10:25:00.000+09:00

Last year he came to our hotel from Sydney and this year from Hong Kong. Staying with us for 7 nights and going out every morning at 8:30 to catch the first shuttle bus. Going out in just 1 shirt, his words to Shiga Kogen : See you again NEXT YEAR !!!

Monkey Park

2008-02-08T12:15:00.000+09:00

50 min (30 min by bus and a 20 min walk) from our Hotel will bring you to : Jigokudani Yaen-koen.

Around 15:30 is feeding time for the monkeys. Unbelievable how fast they can be, by the sound of the bucket full of food!! and they eat EVERYWHERE, in the snow, on the hills and even in the onsen (hot spring)!!

2008-02-06T18:06:00.000+09:00

3 Australian friends came for a trip to Japan and stopped by in Shiga Kogen for some Snowboarding. On the 2nd day they run in to another snowboarder, who is staying at our hotel as well and has been boarding for 7 years.

Together they went all kinds of placed and enjoyed the great powder snow.

Challenge Card

2008-02-06T09:30:00.000+09:00

5 Feb 2008

This couple went skiing for 4 days and they finished the Challenge Card!!

Congratulations to you!!!

From Tokyo ~ !

2008-02-06T09:18:00.000+09:00

4 Feb 2008

Snowboarders from Tokyo !
They came for lots of fun with a group of 7. And there description about Shiga Kogen ~

最高！！！　(Saikou!!)

Becareful ! ;)

2008-02-03T09:57:00.000+09:00

A group of friends who came together for a trip. They fell in to the snow, enjoyed the runs, however as you can see: one of them skied along the road and broke his arm, he is doing fine now,

Everyone please be careful!

Czech Republic

2008-02-02T09:16:00.000+09:00

These guests staying at our hotel, came all the way from the Czech Republic!!!

From Prague!

Zenkoji Nagano

2008-02-01T09:58:00.000+09:00

Zenkoji Temple is one of the most famous Buddhist temples in Japan

2008-01-30T09:37:00.000+09:00

6 students together from Tokyo for 2 days of skiing.

Their reaction on Shiga Kogen : “ It's soooo BIG !!”

Snowboarding!!

2008-01-29T08:40:00.000+09:00

Tweak Tweak go all the new-found muscles in my body after a day of snowboarding in Shiga Kogen.Beautiful weather yesterday permitted a full day of trying my luck on a board and also allowed for numerous kodak moments of not only my clumsiness, but the amazing panoramic views gained from the top of Takamagahara and Ichinose mountains - breathtaking!

2008-01-27T11:16:00.000+09:00

25Jan.

Together with a 'Tour Attendant' we went all the way to Yakebitaiyama,
The powder snow condition was superb ~ !!

Top of Yokoteyama

2008-01-14T16:17:00.000+09:00

On top of “Yokoteyama” you can make your way to “Shibutoge” ski area. After 2 days of snow fall, this is the few you get when the sun breaks through.

Ichinose

2008-01-14T10:26:00.000+09:00

Today I went over to the “Ichinose Family Ski Area”. And as you can see on the pictures, this is the kind of few you can get around 1900 meters, isn’t “Yakebita mountain Area” just beautiful..

2008-01-14T10:20:00.000+09:00

あけまして　おめでとう　ごさいます

Happy New Year

Unfortunately new years we didn’t really have nice weather.
This picture is taken from a lift on “Yokoteyama”

And on the 3rd of January the sun finally came trough. Isn’t Shiga Kogen just beatifull with a clear bleu sky.

Diary of Hotel Heights

Recent cold made big icicles.

Happy family from the New Zealand

The family who came from Malaysia

Kumanoyu ski area on November 26, 2011

Five guests from United States.

Kumanoyu Ski Area

Yokoteyama ski & snowboard area in Shiga Kogen on January 8th.

Our new staffs made a big snowman.

Ichinose on December 6.

Kumanoyu on December 4

The skiing season has begun!

First Snow in Shiga Kogen

Perfect conditions at the end of March

Guests from Hawaii and Brazil

Special Event in March - to enjoy the last period of this years' ski season!

This year's foreign staff

A Winter Fairy Tale in Shiga-kogen

Kuma no Yu

Yokoteyama

A lift has begun to work.

First Snow in Shigakogen

Ski lesson

My parents stayed for 4 days here.

Sunday the 8th at the Snow village

Snow festival

Japanese Elementary Ski Comp!

Shiga Kogen, backcountry ski tour 2009

Snow Village

We have a guest!

Mt Asama smoking peacefully

After the snow

All the way from Cairns

Our Brazilian friends

Going for a Ski lesson

Snow shoe hiking

Okushiga kogen.

Photos from Monkey Park

Happy new year

Christmas dinner

Yokoteyama

Kumanoyu

A lucky day.

Yokoteyama

Kumanoyu skiing area

The first snow in Shiga Kogen

Colored leaves October 22, 2008.

Colored leaves

The first snow

Gensen

Rindo

Yanagiran

Kumanoyu in the summer

Last night of Snow Village

Snowman

50 days of skiing and boarding

Snow Village

Bad weather

Sunny Shiga

GRAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH

4 Friends

5 Friends

Fance

Japan highest BAKERY !!

One bear

Super Snow

Snow Family

Lots of snow ~ !!

From Yokoteyama

From Hong Kong

Monkey Park

Challenge Card

From Tokyo ~ !

Becareful ! ;)

Czech Republic

Zenkoji Nagano

Snowboarding!!

Top of Yokoteyama

Ichinose

Colored leaves 　October 22, 2008.