I like this area for skiing, Yuzawa. There are a huge number of resorts all within a short distance of one another. The town has a great atmosphere, with a lot of fantastic Onsen and Ryokan at the foot of the runs. The cost is also less than the other ski areas, like Nagano, which is pricier due to the Olympics, not quality. It takes about one hour by Shinkansen from Tokyo Stn. to get there, very convenient.

http://www.welovesnow.com/eng/resort_map_yes.html

It also within the central mountain ski area, so if you want to try out Nagano, it's not far to get there, as well several other ski towns to the North.