After trawling the internet on places to stay in Shiga Kogen (21 different areas) we decided to stay at Okushiga Kogen Hotel. We wanted something nice. Our other options included the Grand Phenix (bit too expensive) or the Prince Hotel (didn't seem to get good reviews). So we stayed here. The hotel is very nice. We stayed in a superior room in the new building, for 8 nights it was 126,000 YEN per person incl breakfast. There is a limited amount of English speaking staff but they are all very friendly. In this hotel are two restaurants, the French restaurant which was very nice and the Japanese restaurant which was nice too but a bit plain in terms of decor etc. Breakfast was buffet (japanese and western) for about 4 of the mornings and a-la-carte for the remainder. For dinner, because the shuttles stop running around 7:30pm, we were limited to our hotel and the hotel about 50m away - the Grand Phenix. There are no taxis like in Hakuba. The grand phenix is very nice, more so than the Okushiga kogen hotel. They have a Japanese/Chinese combined restaurant as well as an Italian restaurant. Between the two hotels we ate dinner over the time we stayed here. Dinner is a bit on the expensive side, compared to other resorts you can stay at - for instance a decent dinner for two will be anywhere from 8,000 YEN - 18,000 YEN depending on if you order a bottle of wine etc. There aren't the night clubs/bars etc like Hakuba or Niseko though.

In terms of skiing Shiga Kogen is pretty awesome. Because the majority of it is interlinked we skiied from the hotel door to the top of Okushiga and then down across Yakebiti and across to Ichinose. One day we also took the shuttle across to Yoketiyama which is 2,300m above sea level and the scenery here was fantastic.

Okushiga-Kogen hotel was just as we had expected from the web-site which is always a bonus. Rooms spotless, with windows you can open,love the fresh mountain air!!Food was delicious in the hotel, try the French restaurant for a real treat. Ski hire was easy, some staff speak English & were extremely hospitable. Onsen a must! Wonderful after a day skiing. Situated perfectly at the end of the 21 or so villages, skiing a blast. Get the 'lift passport' & set youself the challenge of skiing from all lifts, getting stamps as you do.Shuttle buses prompt & plentiful as only Japanese ski resorts can do. Would highly recommend this hotel & the whole Shiga Kogen ski experience.