Review of Lodge Yuki 1*

I needed accommodation for a long weekend in the Hakuba valley to do some skiing before I started business appointments in Osaka. One of the few budget accommodations on offer on Agoda was lodge Yuki. So I had my own traditional japanese room so I booked it. I was unable to catch the shuttle bus so the owner picked me up from hakuba-happo bus terminal which was great. The staff were very friendly and accommodating. Mostly catering for locals there is little English spoken but they helped solve any problem. The lodge could do with a bit of maintenance but was clean and most everything worked. A few staff spoke English which was important for meal times, pre ordering, ski hire and the days ritual. All the signs are in Japanese. It is a Japanese experience. Which brings me to the thing I like least in Japan. Smoking is allowed almost everywhere in the lodge which is a put off. They have 2 eating areas, meals are simple but ample between strict hours, separate bath houses from 4pm to10.30pm and a small store. While the Tsugaike resort where the lodge is, is 40 min by shuttle bus from Hakuba proper, the lodge is very close 300m, to the ski slopes. Lodge Yuki offers a good discount on day lift passes only. Cash only for the whole resort as there are no ATMs at all. The skiing here is excellent for intermediate and beginners. Many reviews I read on lodge Yuki were unkind but I feel it is great value for money if you are on a budget, shame about the smoking, otherwise I would have rated it higher. It provides a great little self contained accommodation by honest friendly hardworking people.