Introducing Kawaba's recommended courses, weather forecasts, live cameras, and course maps
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What is Kawaba Ski Resort (Gunma Prefecture) like?
A wealth of content to help you fully experience the charm of Kawaba
Two hours north of central Tokyo on the Kan-Etsu Expressway, Kawaba is the closest ski resort to the Numata Interchange. With an elevation of 1250m at the base and 1870m at the summit, it is one of the highest-altitude ski resorts in the Kanto region and is a popular spot known for its superb, powdery natural snow. The vast slopes are dotted with a variety of courses that can be enjoyed by skiers of all levels, from beginners to advanced, and the total skiable distance from the top to the bottom of the resort is approximately 3300m, offering an extra-long run.
"OFF THE PISTE," a popular spot where you can experience off-piste conditions within a controlled, limited area of the ski resort, is a must-visit. While a training certificate is required to ski there, it offers powder riding experiences that can't be found on groomed courses.
Another iconic feature of Kawaba is its high-quality parks. With three parks each with a different theme, the resort boasts high-quality snow parks and a mogul course that has produced Olympic athletes, attracting skilled skiers and snowboarders alike.
Topics from the '25-26 season
「A fifth area has opened in "OFF THE PISTE"!
"OFF THE PISTE" is an attraction course for powder snow that allows you to fully experience the super dry powder that falls in Kawaba during the peak season. Up until now, there were four areas, but with the addition of one more this season, there will be a total of five areas, making for an even more fulfilling range of ungroomed snow environments. Looking at the map, the area on the far right is "OFF THE PISTE V."
You must have a Cocoheli phone to register for area entry. Cocoheli equipment can be rented at the ski resort's mountaineering office.
at Kawaba Ski Resort's "POWDER SHAPE PREMIUM RENTALS". FACTION is now available
Premium Rentals is ahead of other resorts in offering a lineup of expensive boards and skis with special shapes specifically designed for powder and freeriding as entry-level rentals. This offers a new way of enjoying skiing that cannot be experienced with regular boards. This season, FACTION SKI has joined POWDER SHAPE PREMIUM RENTALS. This is the first such initiative at a ski resort in Japan, and they offer a wide range of rentals, from boards for powder to boards for enjoying groomed snow.
Kawaba Ski Resort recommended courses
・OFF THE PISTE
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Maximum gradient: 18 degrees, average gradient: 15 degrees / Distance: 300m / Slope orientation: East
"OFF THE PISTE" is an attraction area for powder snow only, reserved for advanced skiers. Five managed areas are scattered throughout the slopes, allowing you to enjoy plenty of off-piste fun safely. Area No. 1 is particularly recommended. This is the most popular area, offering dry powder skiing through a forest of beautiful tree formations, and a moderate slope on the side of Crystal Peak.
To ski in this area, you must watch a designated video in advance, sign an agreement on site, and rent a Cocoheli.
・Takade Skyline
Maximum gradient: 29 degrees, average gradient: 23 degrees / Distance: 1350m / Slope orientation: South
This is a long run of 1,350m from the top of the slope, where you can enjoy moderately steep slopes and powder riding on ungroomed snow. On clear days, the panoramic view of the Kanto Plain is also attractive. You can get a lot of runs by using the Takate Pair Lift
・Unnamed Peak Downhill
Maximum gradient: 26 degrees, average gradient: 25 degrees / Distance: 720m / Slope orientation: West
This ungroomed course branches off from the end of the Mumeiho Triple Lift and descends to the starting point of the Crystal Express, which leads to Skier's Left. The slope is perfect for kicking up powder and skiing. You can also use the lift to spin around
Recommended videos that make it easy to imagine the course
- Course level, percentage of ungroomed, groomed and moguls (%)
Recommended information from ski resorts
Recommended Gourmet
KAWA Burger @ GOOD DINER KAWABA(Kawaba City 8F) offers authentic hamburgers made with carefully selected buns, of a quality you wouldn't expect from ski resort food. Once you take a bite, you're sure to be hooked on these hamburgers with their perfect combination of buns and sauce. At GOOD DINER KAWABA, you can enjoy a fulfilling holiday by eating a hamburger while gazing at the ski slopes. Starting this season, reservations for seats at Good Diner KAWABA will be available on busy days such as weekends and holidays. For details on how to make a reservation, please check the Kawaba Ski Resort official website.
Recommended hot springs
Ikoi no Yu @ Kawaba Onsen Center is a hot spring facility located about 14 minutes from Kawaba Ski Resort, along the Okutone Yukemuri Kaido road on the way to the Numata Interchange. It's a famous hot spring with alkaline simple spring water that is colorless, transparent, and has a smooth feel. It's very reasonably priced and a favorite among locals. Opening hours: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM (Closed Thursdays)
Information
Kawaba Ski Resort, Kawaba Plateau, Kawaba Village, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture 378-0101
