Shiga Lake Hotel

Pros: - spacious room (a rarity in Japan) - true ski in and ski out - breakfast with some variety - the store on the first floor sells food / snacks / drinks / alcohol of some variety at relatively reasonable prices (will mention this in cons as well) Cons: - almost nothing around to eat for dinner except for 1. dinner at the hotel or 2. a store on the first floor that sells bento boxes (if you get there early) or bread or instant noodles and 3. a pizza place not too far in Club Wyndham - could be a bit cold at night (but you can just pile on duvets) - relatively small shower room with no shower curtain others: - if I think of Shiga Kogen as a strip, Hatsuke (where the hotel is) is pretty much at one end of it. It's not the most central location. For people who would like to cover all the mountains, you can ski from this side all the way to the other end and back. For those who would like to pick specific mountains to ski on, the mountain you like could be quite close or far away from you. That being said, it does not take that long to go to the farthest mountain (Okushiga Kogen) so it is generally okay. - for the Japanese style room, you have to make your own futon bed (but you get to do it however you like)

Fantastic hospitality from the staff. They were very helpful in getting us together whenever we needed help. One can ski in and out of the hotel right onto the ski hill. It is a short walk to the main bus depot, where the rentals are. The public bath (onsen) was wonderful post ski. The food was wonderful. And, there is free laundry.

Easy to go to Giant Ski Area because there is a slope to ski area directly. But I don't recommend for beginner to go ski area from this slope. And you can't go back to the hotel from this way, you have to go back by gondola to Yamanoeki and walk 300m. Too far if you walk with skies or snowboard. Yukata is not free of charge, you have to pay 300 yens for rent. There is a shower room in your room but you can't use it because there is ONLY cold water(hot water doesn't work). Some breakfast menu is not enough for customers. But dinner is ok.