Nekoma

The North Area is the reason pow hunters talk about Nekoma. It’s shaded, holds snow like a sponge, and feels colder than its actual altitude suggests. The beech and birch glades are widely spaced — enough to carry real speed without feeling like you’re threading a needle. After a storm, the first few runs in the North are pure champagne turns, and even on day two or three, shaded corners still deliver soft snow. The terrain isn’t massive, but it’s consistent — the sort of pitch that makes linking surfy turns addictive.

The South Area balances things out. It’s warmer and sunnier, but that makes it the hero-snow side after a storm. Once the sun has had a chance to kiss the corduroy, you’re carving arcs with Mt Bandai looming above and Lake Inawashiro shimmering below. Add in the park, mogul lanes, and family terrain, and you’ve got the complete spectrum. When the connector is spinning, you can shift with the conditions — start cold on North pow, then swing South when you want a change of pace.

Lifts: The 13-chair network is spread between both aspects. Expect some aging doubles and triples alongside newer quads. The connector is reliable but can slow in high winds — don’t get stranded on the wrong side late in the day. Coverage is broad enough that you rarely feel trapped in one zone, and queues are short outside of peak weekends.

Trees and sidecountry: Nekoma has signed tree zones inbounds, which makes it a friendly progression mountain for riders looking to test glades without breaking rules. There isn’t a Niseko-style gate system, so respect ropes. The South’s cat-ski area adds variety for adventurous groups — unguided, single-run laps on a side face that feels wild compared to the groomed network.

Local tips:

• On storm days, start early on the North before it fills, then head South for sun-softened lines.
• Midweek, you can milk powder stashes all day — focus on tucked-away tree runs off upper chairs.
• On weekends, park at South for better facilities and shift North after the morning rush.
• For night skiing, stick to South — the lights make long groomers ride fast and fun.

• Upper intermediates: groomers on South are wide, confidence-building, and perfect for progression.
• Advanced riders: the North trees and cat terrain are tailor-made for storm chasing and side hits.
• Freestylers: South has a strong terrain park scene with jumps, boxes, and rails reset often.
• Families: South is more kid-friendly, with ski schools, wide greens, and easy meeting points.
• What it isn’t: a big-mountain freeride hub. If you’re chasing 1,000 m vertical or serious alpine gates, you’ll find it limited.

Stay South-side if convenience is king. The Bandaisan Onsen Hotel is slopeside, with ski-in/ski-out ease, hearty buffet dining, and baths for sore legs. You roll out of bed, clip in, and start your day with zero commute.

Base yourself North-side if you’re powder-first. Resorts like Mercure Urabandai or cozy pensions in Urabandai village put you within minutes of the North lifts. The vibe is quieter, more rural, and very much “powder and hot springs” rather than “buzz and nightlife.”

If you want more choice, Inawashiro town and Bandai offer guesthouses, ryokan, and business hotels within a short drive. These suit budget-conscious groups who don’t mind commuting 15–20 minutes in exchange for more dining variety and cheaper rates. Across all options, expect warm hospitality, drying rooms, and hearty meals — nightlife is minimal, but onsens and izakaya fill the gap nicely.

On-mountain cafeterias serve the ski staples — ramen, katsu curry, donburi — done reliably well. The North side has a crepe café that’s become a cult stop; the South side food courts handle volume smoothly and keep queues short.

Après is low-key: beer at the hotel lounge, onsen soaks, and quiet evenings. For something more, head into Inawashiro or Urabandai, where soba shops, izakaya, and local sake houses bring character. This is “ride all day, chill all night” territory, not Niseko-style party central.

From Tokyo, take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Koriyama, then a shuttle or bus direct to the resort. The South side is better served by shuttles, while the North relies more on hotel transport and driving.

By car, Nekoma is about 3.5–4 hours from Tokyo. Winter tires or chains are essential — mountain roads around Urabandai ice over easily. Parking is plentiful on both sides, with South handling weekend crowds more smoothly.

Air access works via Fukushima Airport (limited flights), Sendai Airport (broader domestic and some international), or Tokyo Haneda/Narita feeding the Shinkansen. For full flexibility, rent a car — it unlocks Grandeco, Inawashiro, Minowa, and other Bandai-area resorts for storm chasing.

• Lift hours: typically 8:30 – 16:00; South also runs night skiing on weekends and holidays.
• Spring bonus: the North often runs until May — perfect for late-season pow or corn snow.
• Backcountry: no gates, no tolerance for rope-ducking. Stick to designated trees or the cat zone.
• Weather: North stays cold and shaded; South can warm quickly under sun.
• Language: English signage is decent; staff at hotels and rentals increasingly cater to internationals.
• Nearby resorts: Grandeco (higher, cold), Inawashiro (big cruisers), Minowa (steeper pockets), and Numajiri (quirky, local).