Niigata Ski Guide: 11 Ski Resorts Where Even Beginners Can Have Fun!

Yuzawa Ski Hills Are Known for Their Great Snow Quality!

Niigata Prefecture's Yuzawa Town is an area with great access from the Kanto Region. The Kan'etsu Expressway's Yuzawa Interchange (IC) and the Joetsu shinkansen's Echigo Yuzawa Station are both nearby.

The region is also well known for its excellent snow quality which attracts many skiers. Many of the area's ski hills also offer lift tickets at reasonable prices.

This article features eleven noteworthy ski resorts from the many found in this area.

Ski Resorts in Yuzawa

Ski Resort That Are Ideal for Beginners and Families With Kids
1. Maiko Snow Resort: Enjoy Glamping in the Summer
2. Yuzawa Nakazato Snow Resort: Check the Slope Conditions via Live Camera!
3. GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort: Many Courses and Excellent Powder Snow
4. Naeba Ski Resort: Free Lift Passes for Elementary School Kids and Under
5. Kagura Ski Resort: A Ski Hill Consisting of Three Different Areas
6. Yuzawa Park Ski Resort: See the Ski Slopes From Your Hotel Room
7. Yuzawa Kogen Ski Resort: Enjoy Winter Activities at Snow Play Park

Four Yuzawa Ski Hills That Offer Night Skiing
8. Kandatsu Snow Resort: Enjoy Night Skiing Until 2:00!
9. Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort: Night Skiing Available Every Day
10. Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort: See the Views of Minamiuonuma!
11. Iwappara Ski Resort: Try Their Popular Oven-Baked Pizza

Seven Ski Hills Ideal for Beginners and Families With Kids!

First we introduce ski hills where families with kids and even novice skiers can have fun.

We feature seven ski resorts with their own unique characteristics. These include ski hills that can also be enjoyed during the summer and that offer a wide variety of ski courses, and also a ski hill where you can check the current slope conditions via live camera.

1. Maiko Snow Resort: Enjoy Glamping in the Summer

Photo by Pixta

Maiko Snow Resort is conveniently located just one minute from the Shiozawa-Ishiuchi Interchange on the Kan'etsu Expressway.

The ski hill offers a wide range of activities that the whole family can enjoy and features a total of 26 downhill courses. So everyone from novice to expert skiers can have a satisfying day on the slopes.

At the adjoining Maiko Kogen Hotel there's also a hot spring where visitors can soothe their tired bodies after a long day of skiing.

Also, during the summer, you can enjoy glamping amidst this scenic location. Families can spend some relaxing time in a spacious tent and barbecues are also possible.

Maiko Snow Resort
Location: Niigata, Minamiuonuma, Maiko 2056-108
Business Hours: 8:30 - 20:00 (*Longest hours. Depends on resort schedule)
Official Homepage: Maiko Snow Resort

2. Yuzawa Nakazato Snow Resort: Check the Slope Conditions via Live Camera!

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Yuzawa Nakazato Snow Resort is a resort with easy access. It's just five kilometers by car from the Yuzawa Interchange, and there's also a complimentary shuttle bus that operates from Echigo Yuzawa Station.

At Smile Kids Park, visitors can enjoy sledding and snow tubing, allowing kids who don't ski to also have a day of fun.

You can also check current slope conditions via a live camera. So at a quick glance it'll soon be obvious how crowded it is. Regardless of your level there's a course you can enjoy―from Angel Slope, a beginners course, all the way to courses for advanced skiers.

Yuzawa Nakazato Snow Resort
Location: Niigata, Minamiuonuma, Yuzawa, Tsuchidaru 5044-1
Business Hours: 8:30 - 16:30
Official Homepage: Yuzawa Nakazato Snow Resort

3. GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort: Many Courses & Excellent Powder Snow

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GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort is a resort that's directly connected to Gala Yuzawa Station (Joetsu shinkansen) and is famous for its excellent powder snow.

The upcoming 2024-25 ski season is scheduled to open on December 13.

In addition to GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort there are affiliated resorts such as Yuzawa Kogen Ski Resort and NASPA Ski Garden. These offer season passes, that when presented to ski hill staff, allow you to purchase a one-day lift ticket at a special price.

GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort has a total of 16 downhill courses that are suitable for beginners all the way to expert skiers. For families with children we recommend Snow Enjoyment Park, which is equipped with hooded snow escalators.

GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort
Location: Niigata, Minamiuonuma, Yuzawa, Oaza Yuzawa, Kayabira 1039-2
Business Hours: Winter 8:00 - 16:30, Spring 8:00 - 16:00
Official Homepage: GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort

4. Naeba Ski Resort: Free Lift Passes for Elementary School Kids!

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Naeba Ski Resort is a resort that's directly connected to the Naeba Prince Hotel.

Elementary school children (12 years and under) can get a complimentary all-day lift pass, so we recommend this ski hill for families.

There are a total of 24 downhill courses that will satisfy all skiers―from beginners all the way to experts. There are also two snow parks. The upcoming 2024-25 ski season is scheduled to run from December 14 (Saturday), 2024 until April 6 (Sunday), 2025.

Naeba Ski Resort
Location: Niigata, Minamiuonuma, Yuzawa, Mikuni 202
Business Hours: 1-day ticket: until 17:00, night ticket: until 20:30
Official Homepage: Naeba Ski Resort

5. Kagura Ski Resort: A Ski Hill Consisting of Three Different Areas

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Kagura Ski Resort is the result of two separate ski hills that's merged into one. Here there are 30 downhill courses: 11 for beginners, 13 for intermediates, and six for expert skiers. This is a large-scale slope featuring a total run of 27,690 meters.

Visitors can also stay the night at Wada Goya, a hut located partway up the slope. So you can enjoy the slope in front of you to your heart's content.

This upcoming ski season the Kagura Mitsumata Area has plans to open from November 23 (Saturday-holiday), 2024 to May 18 (Sunday), 2025. The Tashiro Area is scheduled to open from December 21 (Saturday), 2024 to May 6 (Tuesday-holiday), 2025.

Kagura Ski Resort
Location:
Niigata, Minamiuonuma, Yuzawa, Mitsumata 742 (Mitsumata Station)
Niigata, Minamiuonuma, Yuzawa, Mikuni 742 (Tashiro Station)
Business Hours: Weekdays 8:00 - 16:30, Saturdays, Sundays, holidays 7:30 - 16:30
Official Homepage: Kagura Ski Resort

6. Yuzawa Park Ski Resort: See the Ski Slopes From Your Hotel Room

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Yuzawa Park Ski Resort is a ski hill directly connected to the Yuzawa Park Hotel. The slopes are directly in front of the hotel.

There are a total of 11 downhill courses including plenty of courses for novice skiers and children.

This convenient location is great for families as it allows parents to keep an eye on their children from the hotel premises.

The upcoming 2024-25 season is all set to open on December 21 (Saturday), 2024.

Yuzawa Park Ski Resort
Location: Niigata, Minamiuonuma, Yuzawa, Tsuchidaru 1613
Business Hours: 8:30 - 17:00
Official Homepage: Yuzawa Park Ski Resort (Japanese)

7. Yuzawa Kogen Ski Resort: Enjoy Winter Activities at Snow Play Park

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Yuzawa Kogen Ski Resort is a ski hill that's within walking distance of Echigo Yuzawa Station. Snow Play Park, located at the base of the mountain, is a popular area with families offering an environment where you can have fun playing in the snow even if it's your very first time!

The slope features eight downhill courses including a family course and also ones for novice skiers such as the Debut Course.

Also, the resort is located in a hot spring town, so skiers can go take a relaxing dip in the onsen right after a day on the slopes.

Yuzawa Kogen Ski Resort
Location: Niigata, Minamiuonuma, Yuzawa, Oaza Yuzawa 490
Business Hours: 8:00 - 17:00
Official Homepage: Yuzawa Kogen Ski Resort

Four Yuzawa Ski Hills That Offer Night Skiing

For those who feel that daytime on the slopes is not enough, we recommend night skiing. In the evening you can fully enjoy the mystical mood of the slopes.

Down below we recommend four ski hills that offer nighttime skiing as well.

8. Kandatsu Snow Resort: Enjoy Night Skiing Until 2:00!

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Kandatsu Snow Resort is just three minutes by car from the Yuzawa Interchange, and only seven minutes away from Echigo Yuzawa Station by shuttle bus. So this is a resort with convenient access.

Here they offer 16 downhill courses that can be enjoyed by all visitors, from beginners all the way to advanced skiers. They also have night skiing that lasts until 2:00 in the morning, so you can enjoy skiing to your heart's content.

This upcoming season is scheduled to run from December 20 (Friday), 2024 until April 13 (Sunday), 2025.

Kandatsu Snow Resort
Location: Niigata, Minamiuonuma, Yuzawa, Kandatsu 4121-1
Business Hours: Weekdays 8:00 - 16:30, Saturdays, Sundays, holidays 7:00 - 16:30, night skiing 18:00 - 2:00
Official Homepage: Kandatsu Snow Resort

9. Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort: Night Skiing Available Every Day

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Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort is located right outside Joetsu International Skiing Ground Station.

In addition to their full lineup of downhill courses, they also offer a childcare center and outdoor facilities where families with children can have a day of fun including Kid's Paradise and Sori Land (a slope for sledding).

The upcoming 2024-25 season is set to start on December 7, 2024. Night skiing will run from December 21 (Saturday), 2024 until March 23 (Sunday), 2025. Hours are from 17:00 to 21:00. Also, for a reasonable price, an early bird season's pass is available until November 30, 2024.

Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort
Location: Niigata, Minamiuonuma, Kabanosawa 112-1
Business Hours: 8:00 - 21:00 (Night skiing 17:00 - 21:00)
Official Homepage: Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort (Japanese)

10. Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort: See the Views of Minamiuonuma!

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Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort is a resort where visitors can admire the stunning view of Minamiuonuma right from the ski slopes.

It also has great access. It's only about 10 minutes away from JR Echigo Yuzawa Station by taxi or city bus.

The 2024-25 ski season has plans to open on December 20 (Friday), 2024. Nighttime skiing will run from December 28 (Saturday), 2024 until March 1 (Saturday), 2025. Additionally, on Fridays, Saturdays, and public holidays only, night skiing will be available until March 29 (Saturday) from 16:00 to 20:00.

Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort
Location: Niigata, Minamiuonuma, Ishiuchi 1699
Business Hours: 8:30 - 17:00 (Night skiing 16:00 - 20:00)
Official Homepage: Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort

11. Iwappara Ski Resort: Try Their Popular Oven-Baked Pizza

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Iwappara Ski Resort is a resort that's easily accessible―just two hours and 30 minutes from Tokyo by car, and 90 minutes by shinkansen.

The resort features a total of 20 downhill courses which can be enjoyed by all skiers from the novice to the expert level. It also has the distinction of being the first ski hill in Japan to introduce facilities for nighttime skiing.

The 2024-25 season is set to run from December 21 (Saturday), 2024 to March 30 (Sunday), 2025. Night skiing will also be available from 17:00 to 20:00 during the same time period.

Also don't forget to try the authentic oven-bake pizza at the resort's Italian restaurant!

Iwappara Ski Resort
Location: Niigata, Minamiuonuma, Yuzawa, Tsuchidaru 731-79
Business Hours: Regular 8:00 - 17:00, night skiing until 20:00
Official Homepage: Iwappara Ski Resort (Japanese)

The Yuzawa Area Is Home to Many Amazing Ski Hills!

The Yuzawa area is home to many ski hills―each unique in their own special way!

Whether you want to enjoy a day of skiing as a family or with a group of friends or as a couple, you're bound to find a ski hill that matches the number in your party and the style in which you want to spend the day.

So please come and visit the Yuzawa area, a special region that's filled with many attractive ski resorts.

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Main image courtesy of PIXTA
Written by Cakutama editorial team