IwateShizukuishi Ski Resort

Quick pit stop at Ramen Anneko at the gondola station. The house special miso ramen was pretty good.

There is a Salomon Station at the Prince hotel where you can rent skis, snowboards and outerwear. They have a large range and you can pay a bit more for premiium goods. They also do hot machine waxing for 3000 Yen and will have your board ready by 8am.

Restaurant Alyeska at the Summit station has a few menu items I haven't seen at other resorts. This is the hamburger omelette rice with 2 sauces demiglace and cream. Its very tasty and sizable enough to make one contemplate taking the ropeway down to the hotel room for a food induced nap.

The Shizukuishi Powder Cat Tour brings you to the top of the gondola station at Kotakakura yama, a now closed part of the ski resort. Our group lucked out with the weather, arriving at the top with clear skies and a few days accumulation of pristine powder. Snowboarding through untracked powder was pure bliss and the 3km ride was over too quickly.

You can take the shuttle bus to Shizukuishi Prince Hotel from level 2 of the Morioka station West exit shuttle bus terminal. Stand 26. Only for guests staying at the hotel and you have to book ahead.