Sumikawa Snow Park

The Sumikawa Snow Park boasts the ski resort with the highest elevation in Miyagi prefecture. Located halfway up Mt. Zao at 1,100 meters above sea level, you can take full advantage of powder snow soft enough that it won't hurt even if you fall. The resort is made up mostly of beginner and intermediate courses, but if you're looking for something a bit more challenging, the Atomi slope is probably your best bet. For families and people still practicing, we recommend the Sumikawa slopes. The park is diverse, so it's popular among snowboarders as well as skiers.

Sumikawa Snow Park is not just skiing and snowboarding, though; "frosted tree" snowmobile tours are also very popular. From mid-December through early March, the resort offers tours where you can ride Wild Monster issue snowmobiles and appreciate the winter aesthetics of soft rime, or frosted trees. Soft rime is found in only a few places around the world, and this resort is the only place in all of Japan you can experience this kind of snowmobile tour. The panoramic views of the vast rime fields are an unmistakably valuable experience, and the tour is always popular with visitors. The rime field scenery is breathtaking, so don't pass up the chance to see it for yourself.