Charmant is a snow resort in Itoigawa, Niigata which is located on the slopes of Mount Hiuchi, to the northwest of Mount Myoko.
The resort is renowned for its free riding, ungroomed powder runs. Approximately 65% of the resort is made up of powder areas while 35% is groomed runs.
Terrain difficulty
Resort stats
| Elevation | Base elevation: 501 meters Summit elevation: 1,009 meters Vertical drop: 508 meters |
|---|---|
| Number of runs | 17 (includes powder areas) |
| Longest run | 2,700m |
| Lifts | Quad lifts: 1 Pair lifts: 2 |
| Gradient | Maximum: 37 degrees |
| Night skiing | Not available |
| On-piste restaurants | 2 |
Getting there
Charmant Hiuchi Snow Resort is not so handy to public transport, although there is a free shuttle bus that runs once a day in each direction between the resort and Itoigawa Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen. The journey on a Hakutaka service takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes and costs ¥10,670 for a one-way trip from Tokyo.
You can also use the Japan Rail Pass or regional JR East passes.
If going by private car, the journey from Tokyo will take from 4 1/2 to 5 hours depending on traffic and conditions. During winter, you should have chains or snow tires for the roads closer to the mountain. From the Hokuriku Expressway, take the Nou Interchange exit. From the exit to the resort, the drive takes about 30 minutes.
