Summary of recommended ski resorts in Gunma | Great potential for powder and freeriding

2024/01/31

Gunma's ski resort been attracting a lot of attention from snowboarders Due to its interesting natural terrain, it has become popular in recent years among free skiers who like not only powder but also terrain play. Gunma Prefecture has three snow resorts in the northern areas: Katashina, Minakami, and Azuma. Check out what kind of slopes are available.

INDEX

Gunma is unique in its combination of powder, hard burn, and terrain.

The Katashina area is one of the heaviest snowfall areas in the Kanto region.

It is surrounded by mountains, and Oze National Park extends to the north of the Katashina area. The Minakami area is attractive for its easy access from Minakami IC on the Kanetsu Expressway and its high quality snow. The Azuma area is home to long-established famous hot springs such as Kusatsu Onsen and Manza Onsen, making it an irresistible area for hot spring lovers. The ski resorts in Gunma Prefecture may not be as flashy or flashy, but they are all unique and unique. Since it is close to the Joetsu border, the snow quality is good and there is plenty of snowfall. The probability of hitting powder is particularly high during the high season from January to February.

It gets very cold, so it's easy to maintain a hard burn, but there are spots right next to it where you can play with powder and terrain. It is also rich in natural terrain, and playing on natural walls can be said to be a culture that originated in Gunma. Even if you search all over Japan, you won't find an all-round ski resort where you can enjoy hard burns, powder, and natural terrain all in one ski resort.

Photo/Tomokazu Kuwano Skier/Akira Sasaki
©BRAVOSKI

, a paradise of natural topography
｜MARUNUMA KOGEN

The 4km long course from the ropeway summit station to the foot of the mountain is praised as "the most interesting" by skiers who like to ski.

While following the natural terrain, you can slide while hitting the left and right walls rhythmically to the right and left. The 4km downhill riding while drifting like flowing water is a real pleasure. With a combination of different types of walls and changing snow conditions, the conditions are never the same.

You will be absorbed in terrain play without getting tired. Many of Gunma's ski resorts have a common denominator that they can play on the walls of nature, and Marunuma is a symbol of that. Marunuma, which has an altitude of 2,000m, is also known for its excellent snow quality. On powder days, you can go around the entire ski resort with just one ropeway, so it's very efficient. I want to aim to be able to enjoy 13 courses with various lines from top to bottom.

◆ Official HP / https://www.marunuma.jp/winter/

■ Marunuma Kogen recommended video

Leave the powder and bumps on the big scale!
White World Ozeiwakura | WHITE WORLD OZEIWAKURA

White World Oze Iwakura is famous for its dry powder in the Kanto area.

The quality of snow on cold days is said to be as good as that of Hokkaido. Although it is a big scale with 16 courses rich in variety, it has a spacious design overall. The course layout is good, and it is convenient that you can cover most of the course with one gondola. You can enjoy all types of riding from powder to steep slopes, bumps, long runs, and grooms.

Of course, you can use the lift to turn the course you like, so you can choose your style of skiing according to your preference. There are 6 uncompacted snow courses and he is happy for powder freaks. Among them, the "Kokutai Men's Course" is 1.8km long and has a steep part of 29 degrees. In addition, the 3.2km long "Milky Way" is a place where you can enjoy topographic play. It's just fun!

◆Official HP／ http://www.oze-iwakura.co.jp/ski/

■ White World Oze Iwakura Recommended Video

Gunma Minakami Hodaigi Ski Resort where you can aim for powder even with children

Photo/Tomokazu Kuwano Skier/Kenichi Minegishi
Courtesy of BRAVOSKI

Hodaigi, which can be accessed in about two hours from the Nerima Interchange on the Kanetsu Expressway, is not particularly high at 1,400m, but the entire course faces the north slope and is not easily affected by the wind, so good quality snow accumulates.

However, most of the slopes are generally gentle and suitable for families. Therefore, it is miso that the competition rate of powder is not high. 40% of the course is non-compacted snow, including the super-steep 40-degree "Eagle Course" at the top.

There are elements that will satisfy ski lovers, such as a long course where you can enjoy a pleasant free run and play by hitting the wall on the side of the course. At the bottom of the slopes, there is also a 17-slope wave that little skiers will love, and a kids land where young children can play safely. This is a ski resort where parents can aim for powder while letting their children play.

◆ Official HP / https://hodaigi.jp/

powder spot with an altitude of over 1,800m
｜OGNA HOTAKA

Photo/Tomokazu Kuwano
Provided by BRAVOSKI

If you're looking for powder in the Katashina area when snow is forecast, Oguna Hotaka, which is located on the southeastern slope of Mt. Buson and has an altitude of over 1,800 meters, is highly recommended.

As the ski resort is not that well-known, it is a little-known powder spot in the Gunma area. Oguna Hotaka has a 13 course layout.

This is an old ski resort that opened before deforestation laws were enacted, so the courses that have been carved out are extremely wide, giving you an indescribable sense of scale. If you want to attack powder, aim for the top first thing in the morning and go for the ``Slalom Course'' or ``Expert Course.'' The super wide powder field is overwhelming. After enjoying the powder, or when there's no powder, it's a good idea to take a pleasant 3,500m long cruise from the top.

◆Official HP／ //ognahotaka.jp/

■ Oguna Hotaka ski resort recommended video

, a powder and park amusement park only 2 hours from the city center
｜KAWABA

A riverbank that stretches out as if embraced by Gunma's famous peak, Mt. Buson, which has an altitude of 2,158m.

Arrive at the white world in just 2 hours by car from the city center! Despite its easy access, Kawaba is one of the heaviest snowfall areas in Gunma Prefecture. In addition to the heavy snowfall, the base altitude is 1,870m, which results in a lot of dry snow. One of the reasons for its popularity is that the temperature is low in midseason, so the snow quality remains good. There are 10 courses that take advantage of Kawaba's unique rich terrain and some of the best snow quality in the Kanto region. OFF THE PISTE is a very popular spot where you can experience the feeling of being off-piste in a controlled, limited area on the slopes.

You will need to take a course to ski, but you can enjoy a powder ride that you cannot experience on a course that has been packed with snow. Also, what has become an icon of Kawaba is the high-quality park. It has three parks with different themes, and Mogul Barn is supervised by JOCKS, a long-established freestyle shop. Kawaba is an all-you-can-play snowy amusement park that will captivate serious freeride enthusiasts.

◆ Official HP / https://www.kawaba.co.jp/snow/

■ Kawaba's recommended video

Tambara Ski Park that is aimed at because it is a ski slope for beginners.

Photo/Tomokazu Kuwano Skier/Shew Ichihashi
Provided by BRAVOSKI

Tambara is famous as a beginner-friendly ski resort with 80% of its courses for beginners.

It is easily accessible from the city center in about two hours, and with the help of the well-equipped ski center at the foot of the mountain, it is crowded with many families on weekends. That is actually the reason why the freeride group is aiming.

Few people ski on the side of the course with a slope of 15 degrees. Coming there, the quality of snow in Tambara is exceptionally good. The altitude of the top is 1,550m, and the high-quality snow that exceeds the Tanigawa mountain range is abundant. Thanks to that, the untouched Petit Pau here and there can be crushed as much as you want. The snow park is also based on the concept of a “beginner-friendly park”. We have items in sizes and conditions that you can challenge with confidence. It's a little-known spot perfect for beginner free skiers and snowboarders, where you can easily practice powder and park.

◆ Official HP / https://www.tambara.co.jp/winter/

■ Tambara Ski Park Recommended Video

Kusatsu Onsen Ski Resort | KUSATSU ONSEN SKI RESORT

Kusatsu Onsen Ski Resort, which is based on the nationally famous Kusatsu Onsen, is said to be the first ski resort in Japan to have a lift.

With a history of more than 100 years since its opening, he is a pioneer of hot spring ski resorts. A 5-minute drive from the ski resort is a hot spring town full of atmosphere, and the hot spring ladder is also a big attraction. Kusatsu Onsen Ski Resort is a deep, vertically long slope that spreads out at the foot of Mt. Due to its high altitude, the quality of the snow is consistently good, and when the fresh snow piles up on the steep slopes of Tenguyama slopes, many powder hunters flock here.

◆ Official HP / https://www.932-onsen.com

TANIGAWADAKE TENJINDAIRA by HOSHINO RESORT while experiencing the sanctuary of the backcountry

Mt. Tanigawa is a dream mountain for mountain lovers.

It is surrounded by majestic mountains with an altitude of 2,000 meters, and the double-eared peak of Mt. Tanigawadake towers particularly close to it. The scenery is so fantastically beautiful that it cannot be described in words, and it is worth it just to see the panoramic view. When you get off the Tanigawa-dake ropeway, you will see the two peaks of Tenjin Pass on your right and Mt. Takakura on your left, and his ski slopes spread out in the valley between them. The rugged terrain and climate of the Tanigawa Mountain Range, which lies on the Joetsu border, provides the best powder and conditions are good. In years when the snow falls early, you can ski from the end of November, and the season is long, opening until early May. 30% of the course is uncompacted snow, and 70% of the course is for intermediate and advanced skiers, making it perfect for snow lovers who like powder. There is also a full-fledged backcountry field in the area.

◆Official HP／ http://www.tanigawadake-rw.com/gelande/

*Information as of the end of January 2024. For details, please refer to the official website of each ski resort.


Top altitude 2,000m	Longest run 4,000m	Elevation difference 600m	Maximum slope 32°


13 courses	8 lifts	1 gondola	ropeway -book


Top altitude 1,703m	Longest run 3,200m	Elevation difference 697m	Maximum slope 40°


16 courses	10 lifts	1 gondola	ropeway -book


Top altitude 1,400m	Longest run 2,600m	Elevation difference 570m	Maximum slope 40°