longbeen popular among snowboarders. However, in recent years, their unique natural terrain has made them increasingly popular not only with powder skiing but also with freeskiers who enjoy terrain play. Gunma Prefecture boasts snow resorts in three northern areas: Katashina, Minakami, and Agatsuma. Let's take a look at the different slopes available.
Gunma is the only place where you can find powder, hard snow, and terrain
The Katashina area is one of the heaviest snowfall regions in the Kanto area. Surrounded by mountains, the Oze National Park stretches across the northern part of the Katashina area. The Minakami area is attractive for its easy access from the Kan-Etsu Expressway Minakami Interchange and its high-quality snow. The Agatsuma area has famous hot springs such as Kusatsu Onsen and Manza Onsen, making it an irresistible region for hot spring lovers.
Gunma Prefecture's ski resorts may not be flashy or extravagant, but each one is unique and of high quality. Because it is close to the Joetsu border, the snow quality is good and the amount of snowfall is abundant. In particular, the chances of finding powder snow are high during the peak season from January to February.
The cold weather tends to maintain hard runs, but there are also spots nearby where you can enjoy powder and terrain. Gunma is also rich in natural terrain, and it could even be said that playing on natural walls is a culture that originated in Gunma. There are not many all-around ski resorts in the whole country where you can enjoy hard runs, powder, and natural terrain all in one ski resort
©BRAVOSKI
A paradise for playing in natural terrain
Marunuma Kogen:
The 4km long course from the ropeway's summit station to the base is highly praised by skiers who enjoy smooth gliding as "the most fun." You can ski along the natural terrain, rhythmically hitting the walls on either side. Riding this 4km downhill, floating and playing like flowing water, is pure bliss.
The combination of various types of walls and changing snow conditions means that no two visits are ever the same. You'll never get bored and will become engrossed in playing with the terrain. Many ski resorts in Gunma share the common feature of offering natural walls to play with, but Marunuma is the epitome of this.
At an altitude of 2,000m, Marunuma is also renowned for its excellent snow quality. On powder days, you can efficiently ski around the entire resort with just one ropeway ride. It's a place you'll want to visit often, aiming to enjoy all 13 courses from top to bottom in a variety of lines.
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| Top elevation 2,000m | Longest run: 4,000m | Elevation difference of 600m | maximum slope 32° |
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| courses 13 | lifts 8 | gondola One | Ropeway - Book |
◆Official Website:https://www.marunuma.jp/winter/
■Marunuma Kogen Recommended Video
On a grand scale, you can handle both powder and moguls!
White World Oze Iwakura
White World Oze Iwakura is renowned in the Kanto area for its dry powder snow. Its snow quality on cold days is said to be on par with Hokkaido. Despite its large scale with 16 diverse courses, the resort boasts a spacious and expansive design. The course layout is excellent, and the gondola allows access to almost all courses, making it incredibly convenient.
You can enjoy all types of riding, from powder and steep slopes to moguls, long runs, and groomed runs. Of course, you can also use the lifts to explore your favorite courses in more detail, allowing you to choose your preferred style of skiing. With
six ungroomed courses, powder enthusiasts will be delighted. Among them, the "National Sports Festival Men's Course" is particularly challenging, with a 1.8km length and a steep 29-degree section. The 3.2km "Milky Way" also offers plenty of opportunities for terrain play. In short, it's incredibly fun!
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| Top elevation : 1,703m | Longest run: 3,200m | Elevation difference: 697m | maximum slope 40° |
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| courses 16 | lifts 10 | gondola One | Ropeway - Book |
◆Official Website:http://www.oze-iwakura.co.jp/ski/
■White World Oze Iwakura Recommended Video
enjoy powder skiing even with children.
Gunma Minakami Hodaigi Ski Resort: A great place to
Provided by: BRAVOSKI
Located about two hours from the Nerima Interchange on the Kan-Etsu Expressway, Hodaigi is not particularly high in elevation at 1,400m, but its terrain, with the entire course facing north and less affected by wind, ensures good quality snowfall. However, the slopes are generally gentle and family-friendly. Therefore, the competition for powder snow is not high.
The upper part of the resort features the extremely steep 40-degree "Eagle Course," and ungroomed courses make up 40% of the total. There are long courses for enjoyable free riding, and opportunities to play by hitting into the walls along the sides of the courses, providing plenty of elements to satisfy even the most serious skiers.
The lower part of the resort is equipped with 17 consecutive waves that will delight young skiers, and a kids' land where toddlers can play safely. It's a great ski resort where parents can aim for powder snow while their children play.
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| Top elevation 1,400m | Longest run: 2,600m | Elevation difference: 570m | maximum slope 40° |
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| courses 16 | lifts 7 | Gondola base | Ropeway - Book |
◆Official Website:https://hodaigi.jp/
Surprisingly,
Ogna Hotaka is a hidden gem for powder snow at an altitude of over 1,800m.
Provided by: BRAVOSKI
If you're looking for guaranteed powder in the Katashina area when snowfall is forecast, Oguna Hotaka, located on the southeastern slope of Mt. Hotaka at an altitude of over 1,800m, is highly recommended. Because the ski resort isn't very well-known, it's a hidden gem for powder in the Gunma area.
Oguna Hotaka boasts 13 courses. As an older ski resort that opened before logging regulations were implemented, the courses are remarkably wide, offering a truly unique sense of scale.
For powder, head to the upper slopes first thing in the morning and choose either the "Slalom Course" or the "Expert Course." The incredibly wide powder fields are breathtaking. After enjoying the powder, or when there's no powder, a pleasant 3,500m long cruise from the top is a great option.
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| Top elevation : 1,828m | Longest run: 3,500m | Elevation difference of 600m | maximum slope 32° |
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| courses 13 | lifts 6 | Gondola base | Ropeway - Book |
◆Official Website:http://ognahotaka.jp/
■ Recommended video for Oguna Hotaka Ski Resort
, a powder and park amusement park just 2 hours from the city center
| KAWABA
Kawaba, nestled in the embrace of Gunma's famous peak, Mt. Hotaka (2,158m), is easily accessible from central Tokyo by car in just two hours, yet it boasts one of the heaviest snowfall areas in Gunma Prefecture. In addition to the heavy snowfall, the base elevation of 1,870m ensures that the snow is dry and plentiful. The low temperatures during the mid-season also contribute to the consistent snow quality, which is another reason for its popularity. The resort offers 10 courses that take advantage of Kawaba's unique terrain and some of the best snow quality in the Kanto region.
"OFF THE PISTE," a managed, limited area within the resort, is a very popular spot where you can experience off-piste conditions. While you need to take a lesson to ski there, you can enjoy powder riding that you can't experience on groomed courses.
Another iconic feature of Kawaba is its high-quality parks. It boasts three parks with different themes, and the mogul run was supervised by the long-established freestyle shop "JOCKS." Kawaba is a snow amusement park where serious freeride enthusiasts will be captivated and can have as much fun as they want.
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| Top elevation : 1,870m | Longest run: 3,300m | Elevation difference: 580m | maximum slope 34° |
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| courses 10 | lifts 5 | Gondola base | Ropeway - Book |
◆Official Website:https://www.kawaba.co.jp/snow/
■ Kawaba's recommended video
spot for beginners!
Tambara Ski Park: A great
Provided by: BRAVOSKI
Tambara is famous as a beginner-friendly ski resort, with 80% of its courses suitable for beginners. Its easy accessibility, about two hours from central Tokyo, and the well-equipped ski center at the base of the mountain make it a popular spot for families on weekends.
This is precisely why it's a prime target for freeriders. Almost no one bothers to ski down the side of the courses with a 15-degree slope. On top of that, Tambara boasts exceptionally good snow quality. At an altitude of 1,550m, it receives high-quality snow from over the Tanigawa mountain range, resulting in abundant snowfall. As a result, there are plenty of untouched mini-powder patches scattered throughout the resort.
The snow park also operates under the concept of being a "beginner-friendly park," with items of sizes and conditions that allow riders to confidently try them out. It's a hidden gem perfect for beginner freeskiers and snowboarders looking to practice powder and park riding.
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| Top elevation : 1,550m | Longest run: 2,550m | Altitude difference 300m | maximum slope 25° |
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| courses 8 | lifts 5 | Gondola base | Ropeway - Book |
◆Official Website:https://www.tambara.co.jp/winter/
■ Recommended videos for Tambara Ski Park
Enjoy a blissful time with historic powder snow and relaxing
hot springs at Kusatsu Onsen Ski Resort.
Kusatsu Onsen Ski Resort, based in the nationally famous Kusatsu Onsen hot spring resort, is said to be the first ski resort in Japan to have a ski lift installed. With a history of over 100 years since its opening, it is no surprise that it is a pioneering hot spring ski resort. A charming hot spring town is just a 5-minute drive from the ski resort, and hot spring hopping is a major attraction.
Kusatsu Onsen Ski Resort is a long, narrow ski area that spreads out at the foot of Mt. Aoba, which is 1,600m above sea level in western Gunma Prefecture. Due to its high altitude, the snow quality is consistently good, and when fresh snow falls on the steep slopes of the Tenguyama ski area, many powder hunters gather there.
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| Top elevation 1,600m | Longest run: 4,300m | Altitude difference 355m | maximum slope 30° |
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| courses 10 | lifts 6 | gondola One | Ropeway - Book |
◆Official Website:https://www.932-onsen.com
Experience the sanctuary of the backcountry at
Tanigawadake Tenjindaira Ski Resort by Hoshino Resorts.
Mount Tanigawa is a mountain that mountain lovers dream of visiting. Surrounded by majestic peaks reaching 2,000 meters in elevation, Mount Tanigawa's twin peaks stand out prominently. The scenery is breathtakingly beautiful, and the panoramic view alone is worth seeing. After disembarking from the Tanigawa Ropeway, you'll find yourself with two peaks, Tenjin Pass to the right and Takakura Mountain to the left, with the ski slopes stretching out in the valley between them.
The rugged terrain and climate of the Tanigawa mountain range, which lies on the border of Joetsu, provide superb powder, resulting in excellent conditions. In years with early snowfall, you can ski from the end of November, and the long season, staying open until early May, is also a major attraction. With 30% of the slopes being ungroomed and 70% being for intermediate and advanced skiers, it's perfect for powder lovers. There are also full-fledged backcountry fields in the area.
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| Top elevation : 1,502m | Longest run: 4,000m | Elevation difference 754m | maximum slope 30° |
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| courses 10 | lifts 4 | Gondola base | ropeway One |
◆Official Website:http://www.tanigawadake-rw.com/gelande/
*Information current as of the end of January 2024. Please refer to the official website of each ski resort for details