Just wanted to report back that NASPA really was excellent and served our purpose well. The cost (140,000yen for 2 nights / 3 days ski lifts) stung, but this is still half of what the equivalent thing at Whistler costs. New Otani was as expected (I've stayed before)... bit dated, average buffet food, but good service, huge rooms, decent onsen. You ski before check-in on the first day, after check-out on the last day. Those days were rather hectic, and things could've been better if they had better facilities and accommodations for those situations. The middle day (when you're checked in) is a breeze as you have access to a large assigned locker and you can easily go to/from the room in between skiing. Actually the hotel is rather big, so it'd take >10minutes from the slopes to the room. Would've been nice if it were more like a few minutes, but perhaps I'm being too picky. From Yuzawa bullet train station, the hotel offers free shuttle bus which has space for suitcases underneath. So no worries for those who have large luggages. But keep in mind that double-decker Joestu bullet trains have exceptionally small overhead luggage racks with limited clearance to the ceiling. Our small carry-on barely fit after we shoved it in.

As for skiing, it's a small mountain, and I kept doing the same run over and over. Nonetheless it was surprisingly satisfying. There's this very wide intermediate run just to the left of the quad chairlift on the left side of the mountain. I kept doing that one over and over, and I never got tired of it. On the last day, I discovered that the terrain at the right base of the mountain was pretty awesome although only ~400m long, and I started doing that one over and over. I was just about the only person skiing that run, so had it all to myself. Despite the hotel being sold out, zero queue at any of the chairlifts. Ski school was wonderful. Again fraction of the fees at Whistler. My kids did group lessons, but only 1-3 other kids in the group each time. Teachers were wonderful, all professional.