MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- "Are you ready?" "Yes, father." "Here we go. One, two, three." These are words from a dialogue between Takeo Yoshida, 42, and his youngest daughter, Kimiko, 7, moments before she ventures on her own down an icy mountainside. Kimiko, without any fear in her eyes, slides down the snowy mountain on skis. Ten yards down, she falls, which cause icicles from the ground to dance above her. For a brief second or two there is silence. Yoshida has a blank look on his face, but does not seemed worried about his daughter. Kimiko rises from the white blanket that surrounds her and erupts in laughter. Yoshida, along with his wife, Yuriko, hover over to their daughter and brush off the snow she is covered in. Kimiko continues to laugh. This is one of the many events that occur at Mizuho Highland Mountain and snow resort in the Shimane Prefecture. Thousands of people from different prefectures around travel to the resort for skiing and snowboarding. The resort offers two different landscapes to snowboard and ski. One is the Highland side, which offers three different courses for all levels of experience. Downhill slopes, a 50-yard half-pipe course, rails to grind on, and a race circuit are a few of the many attractions at the Highland side. Five dining facilities are also available at the Highland. The other part of the resort, the Valley side, offers more of a brush-up course for snowboarders and skiers. But it is also for inexperienced riders as well. It offers five eating establishments. Ski lifts travel throughout the mountain going from the smallest peak, 492 meters, to the highest point of 1,212 meters. "Mizuho Highland is located two to three hours from Iwakuni," said Bobby Dillard, IronWorks Gym recreation director. To get to the resort from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni take Sanyo Expressway northbound to Hiroshima Junction. Take the Hiroshima Kita Junction. Proceed to Chugoku Expressway. At Chiyoda Junction, take the Hamada Expressway. Exit Mizuho I.C. Make an immediate right and 10 minutes later you will be at the resort. The hours of operations for Mizuho Highland Mountain and Snow Resort are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Night skiing and all night skiing is available from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next day. Due to accidents, Mizuho Highland offers ski insurance for 200 yen. The insurance covers up to $250,000 in case of any accident. When buying insurance the person must directly ask for it. The price for a day pass is 5,500 yen for adults and 3,900 yen for children. Afternoon passes are 4,200 for adults and 3,000 for children. Night passes and all night passes are 3,500 and 4,800 yen for adults, and 3,000 and 3,800 yen for children. The passes offer a day, or night, of pure joy said Yoshida, avid skier. "We come every two weeks in the times of winter," said Yoshida of him and his family. "I barely started teaching Kimiko how to ski a month ago. She's getting the hang of it and is really enjoying herself," added Yoshida. Several families come to the resort as well as groups of friends of all ages. "We come here all the time," said Hiroshi Tanaka. Tanaka, along with five friends from school, always comes to Mizuho from Osaka because it is their favorite place to snowboard. "This place has something for everybody. My girlfriend doesn't know how to snowboard that good so we go to the Highland side and that's where I show her some moves," Tanaka said. Whether you are an experienced skier or an average snowboarder Mizuho Highland offers the best of both worlds, added Tanaka.