Yuzawa Recommended Ski Resorts: An Oasis for Skiers and Snowboarders in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area

2024/01/31

The Niigata area boasts some of the heaviest snowfalls in Japan. The Yuzawa/Chuetsu area is a major ski mecca with many famous ski resorts scattered throughout. All of the ski resorts are close to bullet train stations and highway interchanges, and are easily accessible, only 2.5 hours from the city center. Let's take a look at what kind of ski resorts there are!

Only a few hours from the capital, but with authentic park and powder snow

The Yuzawa area is popular with skiers of all stripes, from those into air and jib to those into powder and backcountry. This is because there are plenty of ski resorts with excellent conditions for serious skiers. For park-type resorts, Ishiuchi Maruyama and Kandatsu Kogen are renowned for their high-quality snow parks. For powder lovers, Kaguraya and Maiko Snow Resorts are popular, as they are said to offer an environment that makes it easy for beginners to start powder riding safely

The Yuzawa area is one of Japan's leading rice-producing regions, and Uonuma Koshihikari is extremely famous. It is also a sake-producing region, with many fine brands, including the well-known Hakkaisan. The local sake and cuisine, unique to a rice-producing region, are also not to be missed. There are even hot springs available. Every ski resort has a hot spring facility at its base, so it's great that you can bathe even on a day trip

In winter, Niigata is a perfect place to enjoy the full package of proximity, skiing, drinking, eating, and relaxing. It's a great area that fully satisfies the needs of city dwellers who are particular about convenience and gourmet food

INDEX

Ishiuchi Maruyama: A long-established ski resort that continues to evolve and combines challenging skiing with comfort.

Ishiuchi Maruyama is a long-established ski resort with a 70-year history. Rather than rest on its laurels, it continues to innovate and offer new facilities and services every year. The 2023-2024 season saw further advancements, including the opening of a new pair lift, the "Chuo Family Lift," at the base area of the central entrance, the introduction of IC card charging tickets, and the opening of a new day-use center, the "Resort Center Annex."
The resort's 23 courses take advantage of the varied terrain, and light snowfall brought by seasonal winds blowing in from the Sea of Japan accumulates on the slopes. January brings particularly heavy snowfall, and powder lovers flock to enjoy the abundant powder snow in Uonuma.

Another selling point of Ishiuchi Maruyama is its impressively well-equipped park. The spaciousness of the jumps is laid out for smooth, flowing runs. Japan's largest super pipe is a must-try.

◆Official website: https://ishiuchi.or.jp/

■ Recommended video for Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort

If you want to improve your freeriding skills, come here!
Maiko Snow Resort

Just one minute from Shiozawa-Ishiuchi Interchange, this location is incredibly convenient for car-lovers. The slopes tend to be relatively gentle, giving the impression of being suitable for families and beginners/intermediate skiers. However, the reality is completely different for freeskiers.

Taking advantage of the rich natural terrain, the number of ungroomed runs has steadily increased, currently numbering five. Many of the runs face north, and the powdery Uonuma snow makes them the perfect freeride zone. Since the opening of the Okusoji Tree Run Area, the area has become even more enjoyable.

The environment for freeriding has been further enhanced. The "Back Country Tour" service, which takes you through backcountry areas developed by local guides, allows you to ski in areas with good conditions that day, allowing you to enjoy backcountry riding safely and efficiently. Lessons are also available to teach you backcountry skiing techniques.

There will also be a "fast track" event, so if you want to enjoy freeriding more or improve your skills, Maiko is the place to go

◆Official website: https://www.maiko-resort.com/winter/

■Maiko Snow Resort Recommended Video

Yuzawa Nakazato Snow Resort has a wide range of facilities and courses, and is right in front of the station!

The ski center is directly connected to JR Echigo-Nakazato Station, about 10 minutes from Yuzawa Interchange, making it easily accessible by train. There are plenty of rest areas throughout the resort where you can take off your boots and relax, including the unique Blue Train rest area, which uses an actual train.

The slopes are wide and spacious, with gentle slopes in the center. While it's perfect for families and beginners, there are also plenty of spots for free skiers to enjoy. The steep, 32-degree challenging course is ungroomed, so if you're lucky, you can enjoy powder riding the morning after a snowfall, and on other days it's a challenging mogul training ground. Connecting the top and bottom, you can achieve long runs of up to 2,000m.

◆Official website: https://www.yuzawa-nakazato.com/winter/

■ Yuzawa Nakazato Snow Resort Recommended Video

Naeba: a treasure trove of natural terrain where you can play

Naeba is perhaps Japan's most famous ski resort. Its vast 134-hectare ski slopes on Mount Takenoko offer 24 diverse runs, two snow parks, three gondolas, and the longest runs are as long as 4km. The extensive facilities and diverse activities, centered around the Naeba Prince Hotel, satisfy skiers of all ages and interests, but Naeba is also a favorite among freeskiers. There are

six steep runs, including Naeba's famous "big slope," with a maximum gradient of 32 degrees, and an official FIS Alpine World Cup course. After snowfall, the ungroomed runs offer thrilling steep and powder runs perfect for advanced skiers.

Another reason why Naeba is a favorite among freeskiers is the "First Track." Every Sunday morning from January 1st (New Year's Day) to March 10th (Sunday), 2024, you can ride the first and second gondolas early for 30 minutes before the lifts open for 2,000 yen. The dates for the first and second gondolas vary, so check the official website for details

Additionally, the terrain park in front of Prince Hotel is well-known for its park-style slopes. It's always well-maintained, making it a safe place to practice, which is great. The neighboring Kagura Ski Resort's Tashiro area is also easily accessible via Japan's longest "Dragon Dora" slope. The variety, scale, and appeal of the world-famous "Mt. Naeba" are still alive and well

◆Official website: https://www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/naeba/winter/

■Naeba Ski Resort Recommended Video

Kagura, a famous spot along the Kan'etsu Expressway where you can find deep powder

Kagura is easily accessible by car or Shinkansen, and is especially recommended for powder beginners. The slopes have three powder runs with varying slopes and distances. In addition, the side country and backcountry (outside the ski resort) accessible from the lifts are popular spots that are crowded with powder lovers after snowfall.

At Kagura, you can access the backcountry area from the summit by wearing avalanche gear such as a beacon. You can enter the mountain through a special gate installed near the summit lift, and even beginners can try it if you take a backcountry tour with a guide service. After training on how to use the gear on the slopes, it's the perfect place to safely make your backcountry debut.

◆Official website: https://www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/kagura/winter/

■Kagura Ski Resort Recommended Video

The 166-passenger ropeway takes you straight to the summit in 7 minutes.
Yuzawa Kogen | YUZAWA KOGEN

A two-minute free shuttle bus from JR Echigo Yuzawa Station will take you to the base of the ski resort. Yuzawa Kogen Ski Resort is known for its dynamic nature, with a ropeway that takes you directly from the base to the summit at an altitude of 1,000m. You'll definitely want to try the "seven-minute walk in the air."

The famous course is a long run with a maximum run distance of 5km from the top to the base. Downhill skiing while enjoying the magnificent panorama of the Echigo Sanzan and Tanigawa mountain range is truly exhilarating. During peak season and when low pressure arrives, you can expect high-quality powder snow in the Yuzawa area.

The popular YUZAWA SNOW LINK pass allows you to freely travel between Yuzawa Kogen Ski Resort and the neighboring GALA Yuzawa and Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resorts. By linking the three ski resorts, a vast ski area has been created with 48 courses, a depth of 900m, and a north-south stretch of 5,000m. You can travel between the ski resorts by ropeway, lift, or free shuttle bus, allowing you to enjoy a wide variety of courses to your heart's content

◆Official website: https://www.yuzawakogen.com/

■ Yuzawa Highlands Recommended Video

GALA YUZAWA: A unique station-front resort where you can get everything you need with just a Suica card

Arriving from Tokyo on the Joetsu Shinkansen takes about 75 minutes. GALA Yuzawa boasts miraculous access, with a direct connection from the station to the ski resort. Managed by JR East, it offers a package deal that includes Shinkansen, lift tickets, and rentals. You can also use a single Suica card for meals, hot springs, and most of the resort facilities, all cashless. One of GALA Yuzawa's greatest attractions is the ability to travel empty-handed on a whim, "That's right, let's go skiing."

GALA's strengths extend beyond its convenient accessibility. Despite its compact size, it boasts 16 ski runs, with the longest run measuring 2,500 meters, a solid feel you wouldn't expect from a station. Because it's easily accessible for a day trip, you can check the weather forecast and head out early in the morning to try your luck at powder snow.

◆Official website: https://gala.co.jp/winter/

■GALA Yuzawa Recommended Videos

A variety of courses available for everyone from kids to experts
. JOETSU KOKUSAI

It's close to Shiozawa Ishiuchi IC, making it easily accessible. Another selling point of Joetsu Kokusai is the wide variety of courses it offers, thanks to its large scale, with four areas to enjoy. There are courses ranging from super steep sections with a maximum gradient of 38 degrees, to courses where you can play around with the terrain.

And from the summit, you can enjoy a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view of the beautiful Echigo mountain range, which adds to the satisfaction. Depending on how you like to play, you can tackle your favorite slopes, take it easy and tour all the areas, or we recommend staying at an on-site hotel and skiing to your heart's content.

◆Official website: http://www.jkokusai.co.jp/ski

Muikamachi Hakkaisan: A challenging steep slope that can be reached by ropeway

This is a heavy snow area where snow clouds coming in from the Sea of Japan are the first to bring snow, and the snowfall during peak season is incredible. The course built along the ropeway is an advanced run with a maximum gradient of 26-35 degrees, an average of 17-25 degrees, and an elevation difference of 805m. After the snowfall, it is famous as a powder spot where skiers with thick boards gather

The slopes are easy to understand, with gentle slopes at the bottom and steep upper slopes for intermediate to upper levels. The tall, snow-covered coniferous forests are beautiful, and this ski resort has a slightly different feel to other ski resorts in North America

◆Official website: https://www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/hakkaisan/winter/

NASPA SKI GARDEN: A rare ski slope exclusively for skiers

It's about a three-minute free shuttle bus ride from Echigo Yuzawa Station. This ski slope, now rare for skiers, has eight courses, including a 2.2km long course that even beginners can enjoy from the summit, as well as steep slopes, mogul runs, ungroomed areas, parks, and courses for intermediate and advanced skiers. The resort also has a wide range of snow activities, including the Pingu Kids Garden, which is exclusively for sledding

◆Official website: https://naspa.co.jp/ski/

Kandatsu Snow Resort is the closest resort to the Kanto region, just 69 minutes from Tokyo, and boasts 100% natural snow.

Access is excellent, with the Joetsu Shinkansen taking just 69 minutes from Tokyo and a free shuttle bus from Echigo Yuzawa Station taking just 7 minutes. By car, it's just 1km from Yuzawa IC on the Kanetsu Expressway, just 3 minutes away, and parking is free all day. With night skiing available until 2am, no other ski resort offers such a long and fulfilling day. With relaxing hot springs and saunas, Wi-Fi-equipped nap spaces, and plenty of restaurants with a wide selection of menus, it's packed with everything you need for a day trip, making it one of the most convenient and comfortable resorts in Japan

Even beginners can enjoy a 3,500m long run on the slopes, and there are plenty of high-quality, ungroomed powder areas, mogul areas, and steep slopes with a maximum gradient of 45 degrees, so everyone from beginners to advanced skiers will be satisfied. Kandate is also famous for its high-quality snow park and free ski school

◆Official website／ kandatsu.com

[Ski resorts in the Yuzawa area]

Ishiuchi Maruyama
Maiko Snow Resort
Yuzawa Nakazato Snow Resort
Naeba
Kagura
Yuzawa Plateau
Gala Yuzawa
Joetsu International
Yuzawa Park
Iwahara
Chateau Shiozawa
Muikamachi Hakkaisan
Okutadami Maruyama
NASPA Ski Garden
Kandatsu Snow Resort
New Greenpia Tsunan

*Information current as of the end of January 2024. Please refer to the official website of each ski resort for details


Top altitude 920m	The longest run is 4,000m	Elevation difference 664m	maximum slope 35°


23 courses	13 lifts	1 gondola	Ropeway - Book


Top altitude 920m	The longest run is 6,000m	Elevation difference: 660m	maximum slope 32°


26 courses	9 lifts	1 gondola	Ropeway - Book


Top elevation 702m	Longest run: 2,000m	Altitude difference 244m	maximum slope 32°