Family Holiday Moments Japan Let's Travel Myoko Ski Skiing Winter

Japan’s Underrated Ski Destination for Singapore Families

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November 22, 2025

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Our heartfelt review of Myoko Snowsports + LIME Resort Myoko (March 2025)

A New Ski Chapter After COVID

COVID brought a halt to our regular visits to Hokkaido bringing the kids there to learn skiing. The pause also got us exploring other places in Japan for the kids to ski with perhaps a little less crowd and more local vibe. We found one and it was excellent. Welcome to Myoko.

^{Video highlights of the kids’ skiing experience with Myoko Snowsports.}

Japan has always held a special place in our family’s heart. Before COVID, we travelled to Tomamu, Rusutsu, and Niseko—each destination giving us wonderful memories of learning to ski together. But after five long years of border closures and a world that felt paused, we wanted this year’s ski trip to be different. We longed to rediscover Japan, yet we hoped to go somewhere new—somewhere quieter, less commercial, with authentic charm, gentle crowds, excellent snow, and instructors who could guide both our children with patience.

After months of research, we found it: Myoko, a quiet, authentic ski town in Niigata Prefecture that few Singapore families know about. Little did we realise that this journey would become one of our most meaningful family ski adventures yet.

^{Myoko, a charming Japanese resort town that is big on skiing fun.}

^{Myoko, has the quiet serene and slow pace which Hokkaido doesn’t. We love it here.}

If Niseko, Hakuba, Tomamu, and Rusutsu are the celebrities of Japan’s ski scene, Myoko is the quiet, humble hidden gem waiting to be discovered.

^{March in Myoko means you could have the whole slope to yourself!}

^{Stepping into a Japanese winter snowscape with far less crowd and commercial feel.}

From the moment we arrived, Myoko revealed itself gently but unmistakably. The slopes were beautifully uncrowded. The snow was soft, dry, and powdery even in mid-March. The village exuded an old-world charm. The ski instructors were warm, grounded, and genuinely committed to helping children improve—not just technically, but emotionally.

By the end of our first day, we found ourselves asking, almost incredulously: Why do so few Singapore families know about Myoko? That is precisely why we felt it important to write this article: to introduce Myoko, where Dana and Alexander experienced some of the most unforgettable ski lessons of their lives.

^{The kids love taking the little rubber boat up to the slopes each morning. What novelty!}

What we loved immediately:

Less crowded slopes
Friendly, patient, enthusiastic and down-to-earth English-speaking instructors
World-class powder snow
A nostalgic village vibe
Great value for ski lessons
Excellent ski terrain for both beginner and intermediate skiers

By the end of our trip, we found ourselves asking: “Why haven’t more Singapore families discovered Myoko?”

This article is our way of introducing this beautiful ski destination — especially Myoko Snowsports, where our kids, Dana and Alexander took their ski lessons and reaped an unforgettable experience.

^{The good caring coaches at Myoko Snowsports made the difference for our kids.}

Myoko Snowsports is located in Akakura Onsen, a charming ski village at the foot of Mount Myoko. When we arrived at their base, several families were ahead of us, but the staff welcomed everyone with a calm efficiency that immediately put us at ease.

^{Our legacy for our kids – learning to ski and experiencing it together as siblings.}

^{Missing the wonderful folks at Myoko Snowsports.}

While waiting, a Singaporean mother leaned over and told us, “This is our third year returning to Myoko Snowsports. Ever since we discovered Myoko, we have never gone anywhere else (to ski).” That single sentence spoke volumes. And within minutes, we understood why.

1. A Smooth, Impressive Rental Experience

The rental area was brightly-lit, spotless and well-organised. The equipment was surprisingly new—something parents always worry about when renting gear overseas. The ski boots were warm and clean, the skis and poles well-maintained, and the fitting process efficient yet unhurried. Despite arriving after a long journey from Singapore, we felt cared for from the very beginning.

The first thing that struck us was how new, clean, and well-maintained the rental equipment. We love their:

Warm, clean ski boots
High-quality skis and poles
Efficient check-in & unhurried fitting process
Patient staff who ensure every child is comfortable

^{Myoko Snowsports’ well-stocked ski rental shop was a godsent.}

2. Group Lessons That Feel Like Private Coaching

Since group lessons were more cost-effective for us, both Dana and Alexander joined group classes — but the attention they received felt almost personalised.

^{Video highlights of the kids’ skiing experience with Myoko Snowsports.}

Dana, now a teenager, had not skied since before COVID. She stepped onto the slopes feeling both excited and a little nervous, unsure if she still remembered how to ski. But Myoko Snowsports’ instructors immediately put her at ease.

“It felt really special to ski again after so long,” she told us. “The instructors were so kind and patient. They never rushed anyone. I learned carving techniques, tackled moguls, and even skied down a powder bowl. It was both terrifying and exhilarating.”

Her favourite memories included:

• Finding herself in a natural powder bowl, surrounded by deep, untouched snow—the most beautiful she had ever seen.
• Learning to jump at the ski park for the first time.
• Conquering moguls that once seemed frightening but quickly became addictive.

For Dana, the trip was more than a ski holiday. It was a moment of rediscovery—a chance to reconnect with a passion she had nearly forgotten during the years of Covid restrictions.

Alexander’s experience was perhaps the most emotional for us as parents. Before COVID, he struggled with skiing as a young pre-schooler with undiagnosed ADHD. He could not follow instructions consistently, he struggled to stay focused, and as a result, was unable to progress to the next level. Other children advanced while he remained stuck at Stage 1, and each trip ended with a quiet heartbreak for everyone (for him and more so, for us).

But this time, something changed.

In Myoko, for the first time in his life, Alexander skied independently. He followed the instructors’ guidance. He completed runs confidently and even navigated gently between trees, something we never thought possible this soon.

We watched as his instructors encouraged him, celebrated each tiny victory, and filmed his progress so he could see how far he had come. Their patience, skill, and sensitivity unlocked something we had waited years to witness: Alexander believing in himself.

Myoko Snowsports didn’t just teach him to ski. They gave him courage, dignity, and a sense of achievement he will carry for a very long time.

^{Sunny or foggy, lessons go on with the full professionalism and care by the team from Myoko Snowsports.}

3. Patient, Expert Coaches Who Truly Care

Every instructor we met shared the same qualities: they were skilled, attentive, gentle, encouraging, and deeply safety-focused. They adapted the pace of each lesson to each child—pushing when appropriate and slowing down when a calmer approach was needed. Dana summed it up beautifully:

They taught us so much more than just skiing. They taught us confidence.”

That is something money cannot buy. And something a busier ski school would not be able to replicate.

For our trip, we stayed four nights at LIME Resort Myoko, our quiet haven in the mountains. The resort has been beautifully refurbished, blending clean Scandinavian lines with a warm, minimalist, Muji-style aesthetic. The entire property exudes a sense of quiet luxury without being pretentious. We booked the Suite Room, which comfortably accommodates up to six people.

We loved the serenity of the indoor onsen, the generous breakfast buffet, and the Japanese dinner set that Alexander raved about each night. The resort also provides a dedicated ski-drying room and lockers, making daily preparation effortless.

^{View from our room at Lime Resort. It could easily pass off for as the fabled Narnia!}

^{One for the album – Back in Japan as a family after 5 years!}

What We Loved About LIME Resort Myoko:

Spacious, modern Lobby and Suites
Large beds and warm interiors
Beautiful, serene onsen (a highlight!)
Excellent breakfast buffet
Gorgeous views of the snowy landscape
Delicious Japanese dinner set (Alexander’s favourite!)
Ski drying room + lockers for equipment
Friendly multilingual staff

^{Peaceful. Tranquil and Warm. Lime Resort beckons.}

What You Should Know:

The only drawback is that Myoko Snowsports (Akakura Base) is a 5-minute drive away from the resort. You’ll need a rental car, or the LIME Resort shuttle bus (which is reliable and runs regularly).

How to Get to Myoko From Singapore

Step 1: Fly from Singapore to Tokyo (Narita or Haneda)

Step 2: Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nagano (around 90–100 minutes)

Step 3: Take the Shinano Railway to Myoko-Kogen Station (around 35–40 minutes)

Step 4: Transfer to LIME Resort Myoko. Options include the free hotel shuttle, a taxi, or a rental car.

Tip: The two Singaporean families we met chose to rent a car directly from Tokyo (and from Nagano) and drive to Myoko — significantly easier if you have heavy luggage and young children.

Why Myoko Is Perfect for Singapore Families

Myoko is what Niseko used to be 15 years ago — raw, beautiful, and quietly magical. After visiting Niseko, Rusutsu, and Tomamu in past years, we can confidently say Myoko offers something uniquely special:

Slopes that are far less crowded
Softer, fluffier powder snow
More affordable ski lessons
A warm, community-oriented atmosphere
Authentic countryside charm
Excellent snow conditions even in mid-March
A calm pace ideal for younger children and beginners
It offers a refreshing contrast to more commercial resorts, without sacrificing quality or snow conditions.

^{So much space and so little people, lots of space for the kids to be truly kids.}

^{Our legacy as non-skiing parents – skiing kids. Skiing siblings.}

Our Verdict: We Will Return

This journey meant more than learning to ski again. It was about reclaiming moments lost to the years of COVID, rediscovering Japan as a family, and watching our children grow in confidence and joy.

To the instructors at Myoko Snowsports who taught Dana and Alexander with patience, skill, and heart—thank you.

To LIME Resort Myoko—thank you for being our warm, peaceful home in the snow.

And to families reading this:

If you have already experienced Niseko, Hakuba, Tomamu, and Rusutsu.
If you are searching for a quieter, more authentic, and deeply rewarding ski destination.

Discover Myoko. It may become the ski holiday your family remembers for a lifetime.