Where to stay for Honshu/Japan ski trip

[Cynicor]

Hello,

I am thinking of changing up the ski trip for Jan 2018 and hitting Honshu rather than Hokkaido.

We are big backcountry skiers but we will also have 2 relative newbies with us, if not more. We'll have a car for transport to and from some of the better BC areas but it would be nice to find a resort area that has some accessible BC and side country as well as being ok for beginners.

I would like ski-in/out or a very short walk to the slopes for the beginners, too.

Any thoughts or ideas? Shiga Kogen seems to possibly fit the bill. Hakuba seems too crowded/full of Aussies.
Also considering Gunma.

 

[yohy?!]

Have a look at Hyogo -Hachikogen, have had JP friends who've worked seasons there highly recommend.

 

[Cynicor]

Have a look at Hyogo -Hachikogen, have had JP friends who've worked seasons there highly recommend.

Thanks. Looks a bit far south for comfortable BC, and too far from Tokyo.