Top Niigata Resorts & Places for Snowboarding and Snow Skiing in Japan

Niigata Prefecture is one of the best places in Japan to experience skiing and snowboarding on powdery snow. Travelers who love the snow without the slopes will love guided tours by snowmobile and the many other snow activities that can be enjoyed by children and beginners. Here we introduce the top snow resorts in Niigata where you can experience a variety of ways to enjoy the snow.

GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort – Ski weekend 74 minutes away from Tokyo

Did you know that there are many ski resorts where you can enjoy skiing and snowboarding on a day trip from Tokyo?

Among all of the available ski resorts from Tokyo, we would like to recommend GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort. GALA has its own Shinkansen (bullet train) station, which you easily can access from Tokyo in 74 minutes. At the exit from the ticket gate at the train station, a ticket counter of the ski resort will welcome you. You can change into your ski clothes and take a ski lift up to the top of the mountain right there.

The ski slopes of GALA Yuzawa are divided into three areas: Central, North, and South. The central area is the largest field, where you can take the gondola directly up to an elevation of 800 meters. The summit (1,181 meters above sea level) is also a great photo spot to capture the beautiful scenery!

If you want to improve your skiing or snowboarding, there are English and Chinese language schools. Instructors will teach you how to put on your boots, how to walk and ski. So if you are a beginner there is no need to worry!

In addition, GALA Yuzawa also offers a variety of tours. For example, during the “Snowmobile Sled Tour,” you can enjoy the northern area on a large six-person sled pulled by a snowmobile. This tour is the only way to experience the exhilarating sensation of riding on the snow in such an extraordinary vehicle.

Business hours: 8:00-16:30 (winter), 8:00-16:00 (spring)
Address: 1039-2, Kayadaira, Yuzawa, Yuzawa-cho, Minamiuonuma-gun
Buy tickets: JR TOKYO Wide Pass, good for three days of unlimited rides on JR East in the Kanto Region

Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort – A spectacular location perfect for snow lovers of all ages

Ishiuchi Maruyama is a ski resort located in Minamiuonuma City. It is one of the best places in Japan to enjoy some of the most abundant natural snowfalls and a spectacular location created by Mother Nature.

Ishiuchimaruyama opened in 1949. Since then, the ski resort has grown alongside the snow lovers who visit it and has expanded to a total area of 236 hectares, with a height difference of 664 meters and a maximum run distance of 4,000 meters.

In recent years, various developments have been made to improve convenience, such as the introduction of the Sunrise Express. It is the world’s most advanced combination lift featuring both gondolas and chairlift cabins/chairs on the same cable.

One of the most unique features of Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort is that people of all ages can enjoy the snow. For example, from the newly opened “SNOW GARDEN” located next to the park, visitors can enjoy a spectacular view of the snow-white Uonuma Plain and the Echigo Sanzan Mountains with a hot drink in hand. In addition, “SNOW GARDEN” has two types of stylish snow domes, one large and one small, as well as a ski school and sledding slope for kids.

There are more than 20 restaurants on site, including stylish cafes and authentic yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) restaurants, the quality of which is incredible for a place on the slopes!

Moreover, a 10-minute free shuttle bus ride from Echigo Yuzawa Station and a free shuttle bus service from the GALA Yuzawa ski resort make Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort extremely convenient to access.

Business hours: See website for details
Address: 1655 Ishiuchi, Minamiuonuma City

Lotte Arai Resort – A ski resort to enjoy skiing on pristine slopes

Myoko City in Niigata Prefecture is a scenic area famous for the Myoko Plateau, where visitors can enjoy the seasonal nature of the highlands.

Lotte Arai Resort is a snow resort that officially opened on December 16, 2017, right here in Myoko City. Surrounded by the natural beauty of Mt. Ogenashi, the resort offers a magnificent view that extends all the way to the ocean when the weather is nice.

At Lotte Arai Resort, 84% of the slopes are “freeriding zones.” That means that the fresh snow is left to fall naturally without being compacted, allowing you to enjoy the fun of skiing on powdery snow to the fullest. While the environment is similar to backcountry skiing, Lotte Arai Resort is well managed and patrolled, so you can enjoy the spectacular nature in safety.

Lotte Arai Resort offers 14 ski trails for both beginners and advanced skiers. In addition, there are plenty of non-skiing adventures such as one of Asia’s longest zip lines, as well as bouldering and trampolining. Families, friends, and couples can enjoy a variety of fun activities.

Lotte Arai Resort is conveniently located less than two hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen (bullet train)! It also includes a hotel that is reputed for its “serene, yet modern atmosphere and upscale resort feel. The hotel is spacious, with a total of 245 rooms, making it perfect for those who wish to stay for a longer period of time. The spa, pool, and fitness center were opened in 2019.

Why not spend a cozy time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life in a resort surrounded by nature?

Hours of operation: Gondola operating hours vary depending on location
Address: 1966 Ryozenji, Myoko City