[2025-26 Season] Uonuma City Ski Resort Guide | Summary of the Features and Attractions of All 4 Ski Resorts

Winter will soon be upon us in Uonuma City, and the coming season is the perfect time to enjoy skiing and snowboarding!

This time, the tourism association staff, who love skiing, will give a detailed explanation about the ski resorts in Uonuma City!

We hope you will enjoy the ski resorts in Uonuma City in the 2025-26 season!

• Table of Contents
• Uonuma City's ski resorts are amazing!
• See all four ski resorts in Uonuma City at a glance
• The amount of snowfall is the largest in Uonuma ! Enjoy the abundant snow on the slopes at the Okutadami Maruyama Ski Resort
• Two slopes on one mountain! The 360-degree view of the Echigo mountain range is a highlight [Suhara Ski Resort]
• A great choice for beginners and families with children! [Koide Ski Area]
• You can even rent out the entire ski resort! Yakushi Ski Resort: A historic place that has produced Olympic athletes
• Summary: A lineup that can be enjoyed by everyone from beginners to advanced skiers! Ski resorts in Uonuma City

Uonuma City's ski resorts are amazing!

Niigata Prefecture is home to over 50 ski resorts, and is famous for being the birthplace of skiing, with many historic ski resorts.

Among the many ski resorts, Uonuma City has two unique features!

1. The snow quality is good , so you can ski comfortably! 2. It's located in a heavy snow area, so there's plenty of snow !

Enjoy winter sports in excellent conditions on the slopes throughout the season.

[2025-26 City ski resort operating period]

Name of ski resort	Planned Opening Date	Planned Closing Date
Okutadami Mount Maru Resort	Opening on Sunday, December 7, 2025	Scheduled to close on Saturday, January 3, 2026
Okutadami Mount Maru Resort (spring skiing)	Scheduled to open in late March 2026	Scheduled to close in early May 2026
Suhara Ski Resort	Scheduled to open on Thursday, December 25, 2025	Scheduled to close on Sunday, March 15, 2026
Koide Ski Area	Scheduled to open on Friday, December 26, 2025	Scheduled to close on Sunday, March 8, 2026
Yakushi Ski Resort	Scheduled to open on Wednesday, December 24, 2025	Scheduled to close on Sunday, March 22, 2026

1

*Opening dates and business hours may change depending on snow conditions. Please check the website of each ski resort for the latest information.

See all four ski resorts in Uonuma City at a glance

There are a total of four ski resorts in Uonuma City. .

The courses, facilities, and activities available vary, so find the ski resort that's perfect for you!

Ski resort name	Ski Level	Suitable for families with children	Snow Park	Ungroomed courses, mogul courses, etc.
Okutadami Maruyama Ski Resort	For upper-intermediate	△	◎ (Spring)	◎
Suhara Ski Resort	For upper-intermediate	○	×	◎
Koide Ski Area	For intermediate beginners	◎	×	×
Yakushi Ski Resort	For intermediate beginners	◎	×	×

Ski Level

About the Snow Park

A free play area with many items installed, including a jump platform (kicker) and half pipe.

The amount of snowfall is the largest in Uonuma ! Enjoy the abundant snow on the slopes at the Okutadami Maruyama Ski Resort

Okutadami Maruyama Ski Resort boasts the largest amount of snowfall in Uonuma. With its high-quality snow and snow park, it is a popular ski resort for intermediate to advanced skiers. 

Four Features of the Okutadami Maruyama Ski Resort

☑ Opens in two periods: late November to early January and mid-March to early May

☑ The powder snow during the "first ski season" is the best in the prefecture

☑The spring ski season can be enjoyed until around Golden Week! Enjoy skiing while looking at the fresh greenery.

☑There are plenty of courses for upper and intermediate skiers! There is also a snow park, so you can enjoy a great time!

Feature 1: Opens twice per season

This is actually a rare ski resort that opens twice a year: from late November to early January and from mid-March to early May.

Okutadami Maruyama Ski Resort is closed during what is generally considered the high season , from mid-January to early March .

The reason is the amount of snowfall. Between mid-January and early March, the snowfall can reach over 7 meters ! This means that the resort is forced to close temporarily.

Feature 2: The powder snow during the "first ski season" is the best in the prefecture

The "first ski season" from late November to early January is a great time to enjoy powder snow that is so smooth you'd never guess it was a ski resort in Niigata Prefecture!

There are both groomed and ungroomed courses, and many visitors from all over the country come to enjoy the quality of the snow.

Feature 3: The spring ski season can be enjoyed until around Golden Week! Enjoy skiing while looking at the fresh greenery!

During the "spring ski season" from mid-March to early May, when the snow settles, you can enjoy winter sports under the warm sunshine .

Even after other ski resorts have closed, you can still enjoy the slopes to your heart's content. The experience of skiing while looking out at the fresh greenery of the beech forest is something you can only experience at the Okutadami Maruyama Ski Resort.

Feature 4: Plenty of courses for upper-intermediate skiers! Complete with a snow park, the slopes are extremely challenging!

Another feature of the Okutadami Maruyama Ski Resort is that naturally formed moguls are more likely to appear during the spring ski season. This is especially recommended for those who are not satisfied with the groomed courses or who want to improve their level .

Also, during the spring ski season, a snow park will appear on the Mount Maru slopes. This is a famous park where skiers and snowboarders can boldly take on the challenge.

(Quoted from the official website of the Okutadami Maruyama Ski Resort )

Reviews of Okutadami Maruyama Ski Resort

Okutadami Maruyama Ski Resort offers completely different scenery between the early season and the spring ski season. Many of the courses are suitable for intermediate and advanced skiers.

(In spring, the slopes become dirty with yellow sand and loose granular snow, making it difficult to ski, and this can quickly drain your energy.)

In addition, there is a monster park near the summit created by the overwhelming amount of snowfall, where snowboarders and others can perform amazing tricks one after another, making it a fun experience even just to watch.

(Quote: TripAdvisor )

・Even though it was early December, it was an amazing powder day. There were no lifts to wait for except when they were stopped by the wind, so it was a great start to the season.

The gymnasium-like rest area was quite cold, so it wasn't the kind of place where you could take off your clothes and relax.

Once you enter the ski resort, it feels like an isolated space, so I think it's best to be careful not to leave anything behind.

(Quote: Snowway )

Access to the Okutadami Maruyama Ski Resort

By car: Approximately 60 minutes via the Silver Line from Uonuma IC on the Kan-etsu Expressway

By train: Free shuttle bus available from JR Joetsu Shinkansen Urasa Station (reservation required)

*For details on each access, Okutadami Maruyama Ski Resort official website)

Recommended accommodations

We will introduce recommended accommodations that are nearby the Okutadami Maruyama Ski Resort.

We also have a list of accommodations available for the "White Pack," which includes a great deal on lift tickets! Be sure to check it out!

Okutadami district

The area is easily accessible, including the Nature College Green Garden in the Okutadami Maruyama Ski Resort.

For more information on the accommodation in the Okutadami Maruyama Ski Resort, click here

2. Oyu Onsen

About 40 minutes by car to Okutadami Maruyama Ski Resort.

The hot springs were discovered in 718 AD by Gyoki (a Japanese Buddhist monk active from the Asuka period to the Nara period), and are a representative hot spring resort of Uonuma that was loved by many warlords during the Sengoku period.

Effective for: frozen shoulder, cold sensitivity (to cold), stiff joints, joint pain, etc.

For more information on the Oyu Onsen area, click here

3. Oritate Onsen

Approximately 40 minutes by car from Okutadami Maruyama Ski Resort.

This quiet hot spring resort is nestled in the mountains, with inns lined up along the river. Many guests visit the slightly warm hot springs for therapeutic purposes. The warm, homely hospitality and abundant hot spring water are its attractions.

Effective for: neuralgia, rheumatism, arteriosclerosis, etc.

For more information on the Oritate Onsen area, click here

Event Information

Okutadami Maruyama Ski Resort also holds various events from time to time. For details, please visit the Okutadami Maruyama Ski Resort official website.

Promotional Video

Click here for the Okutadami Maruyama Ski Resort Official Website

Two slopes on one mountain! The 360-degree view of the Echigo mountain range is a highlight [Suhara Ski Resort]

Suhara Ski Resort is an easily accessible ski resort, less than a 10-minute walk from Echigo-Suhara Station.

[Suhara Ski Resort] Three Features

☑ Fun for everyone from beginners to advanced players!

☑ The views from the summit and the 1500m long course are amazing!

☑ Enjoy great deals with a variety of discount plans!

☑Ranked 8th in the "Top 10 Local Ski Resorts I Don't Want to Tell You About!" poll of 1,300 readers of ski and snowboard media STEEP!

Feature 1: Enjoyable for everyone from beginners to advanced players!

Suhara Ski Resort has two main courses on the north and south sides of the mountain.

The resort is known for its varied courses, with alternating steep and gentle slopes , including an ungroomed course in the upper middle part of the slope.

The lower part of the slope has a gentle slope, making it a perfect practice course for beginners .

If your children are tired after practice, we recommend the kids' room on the second floor of the center house! It's a great environment for guests with children.

Feature 2: The views from the summit and the 1,500m long course are outstanding!

The greatest attraction of Suhara Ski Resort is the breathtaking views you can enjoy !

From the summit, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the Echigo mountain range, including the Echigo Sanzan mountains of Echigo-Komagatake, Mount Nakanotake, and Mount Hakkai, as well as Mount Mount Sumon and Mount Mount Asakusa to the northeast.

First thing in the morning, you might be able to see the sea of ​​clouds covering the Uonuma Hirano.

The view from the summit is fantastic, but the view from the entrance to the " Giant Course " is even more spectacular!

(Quoted from the official website of Suhara Ski Resort )

On a clear day, the location offers a panoramic view of Uonuma city, and you'll definitely want to take some photos.

This course boasts an amazing 1,500m of runway and is the main slope of Suhara Ski Resort, attracting many visitors.

If you can keep sliding down the whole way without stopping, you might be considered an advanced skier!

Feature 3: Enjoy great deals by taking advantage of a variety of discount plans!

Suhara Ski Resort offers many great discount plans, including weekday discounts and discounts for repeat customers.

For more details, please visit the official website of Suhara Ski Resort !

Reviews of Suhara Ski Resort

・My first time snowboarding alone in Suhara. For beginners, I recommend taking the four-seater lift and taking the super detour course on the north slope. There are no people, the slope is gentle, and the scenery is beautiful.

The detour course on the main slope is narrow and steep, so it may be difficult for true beginners. There are only two lifts, but I had a great time, so I would like to go back after a fresh snowfall.

I love the weekday discounts.

(Quote: surf &snow )

・The course is designed to be enjoyed by everyone from small children to adults. If you ride the quad lift and slide from top to bottom, you'll have a great time!

(Quote: surf &snow )

Access to Suhara Ski Resort

By car: Approximately 30 minutes from Uonuma IC on the Kan-etsu Expressway via National Route 252

By train: Take the Minami Echigo Kanko Bus Koide-Anazawa Line from JR Koide Station to the Echigo-Suhara Station corner bus stop, then walk for 5 minutes

*For details on each access, please see here (Suhara Ski Resort official website)

Recommended places to stay

We will introduce recommended accommodations that are convenient for accessing Suhara Ski Resort.

Sumon district

There are many inns and guesthouses lined up here. It is also within walking distance of Suhara Ski Resort, making it easily accessible!

For more information on accommodation in the Sumon area, click here

Event Information

Suhara Ski Resort also holds various events from time to time. For details, please visit the Suhara Ski Resort official website .

Promotional Video

The official website of Suhara Ski Resort is here

A great choice for beginners and families with children! [Koide Ski Area]

Koide Ski Area is located on a hill overlooking the city of Uonuma. It is conveniently located about a 5-minute drive from Uonuma Interchange and a 10-minute walk from Koide Station .

[Koide Ski Area] Three Features

☑An easy course for beginners and children!

☑Even children who can't ski can enjoy it ♪ We have a wide selection of kids' activities to rent!

☑Enjoy a day trip to "Miharashi no Yukomami"!

Feature 1: Easy slopes for beginners and children

The most distinctive feature of Koide Ski Area is the abundance of courses that even beginners and children can ski safely. 80% of the courses are beginner and intermediate. It's the perfect place for beginners and children to make their ski resort debut.

The advanced courses are only available at the top of the mountain. The courses leading to the parking lot always include beginner courses, so you don't have to worry about not being able to ski down once you've boarded the lift.

There aren't many long courses, so your child won't have to worry about getting stuck, and can ski safely.

(Quoted from the official Koide Ski Area website )

Feature 2: Even if you can't ski, you can still have fun ♪ There are plenty of kids' activities to rent!

Koide Ski Area has a dedicated kids' slope where even children who can't ski can play .

Skis and snowboards are prohibited on this slope, so you can enjoy playing in the snow with peace of mind!

At Koide Ski Area, you can rent a Snow Strider (the snow version of the Strider) (for a fee) and also rent sleds for free , so you don't have to worry about carrying extra luggage.

Feature 3: Enjoy a day trip to the "Miharashi no Yu Komami" hot spring!

Koide Ski Area is also home to a day-trip hot spring facility called " Miharashi no Yu Komami ."

Another great thing about this place is that you can relax and soothe your tired body before heading home.

Access to Koide Ski Area

By car: Approximately 5 minutes from Uonuma IC on the Kanetsu Expressway

By train: About 10 minutes walk from JR Koide Station

*For details on each access, please see here (Koide Ski Resort official website)

Recommended places to stay

Here are some recommended accommodations with convenient access to Koide Ski Area.

1. Koide Hotel Okabe

A business hotel within walking distance from the Koide Ski Area We also recommend strolling around Koide town at night to eat and drink.

For more information on Koide Hotel Okabe, click here

2. Sudaya Ryokan Located in the heart of Koide, it has excellent transport access! The inn has a homey atmosphere and is popular with repeat guests.

For more information about Sudaya Ryokan, click here

3. Yakushi Onsen Shiki no Sato Yakushi Onsen Yamabikoso is a 10-minute drive from Koide Ski Area. It is a single-family inn located in a quiet location on a hill.

For more information on the Yakushi Onsen area, click here

Event Information

Various events are held at Koide Ski Area from time to time. For details, please visit the official Koide Ski Resort website .

Promotional Video

Review of Koide Ski Area

・I went with my kids on a weekday when it was quiet. Even so, the attentive service of the lift operators was the same as on weekends and holidays, so we were able to ski all day without worry. You often hear people say "they're friendly," but Koide Ski Area really is friendly and attentive. However, the stairs leading up from the parking lot to the slopes were the scariest part (lol). I think this is the best ski resort for beginners, families, and those making their snowy mountain debut.

(Quote: surf &snow )

The lift fees are cheap, and all the lifts can be ridden without skis, making it perfect for practicing with three children. The stylish and beautiful center house and handmade toys got the kids excited even before they started skiing.

(Quote: surf &snow )

Click here for the official website of Koide Ski Area

You can even rent out the entire ski resort! Yakushi Ski Resort: A historic place that has produced Olympic athletes

Yakushi Ski Resort is a long-established ski resort with a history of producing Olympic athletes . Starting in the 2023 season, the resort will be renovated to include a pair lift ! Another major feature of this ski resort is that it can be rented exclusively .

☑ Exclusive use of the ski resort is possible, a rare possibility in Japan!

☑ Level up on a course that has produced Olympic athletes!

☑After enjoying the ski resort, enjoy a day trip to the adjacent facility "Yu-Park Yakushi" for a relaxing bath♨

Feature 1: It's possible to rent out the entire ski resort, a rare opportunity in Japan!

Many people are surprised when they first hear about the "ski resort exclusive charter plan." This may be the only ski resort in Japan that allows you to rent the entire resort.

With this plan, you can do whatever you want on the slopes! The video below is just one example, but you can experience a variety of activities, not just skiing and snowboarding.

■ Exclusive use of the slopes (lift fee included)

・Ski resort rental fee (1 day) 80,000 yen

・Ski resort rental fee (half day) 50,000 yen

[Note] Available days will be "Tuesdays and Wednesdays after Sunday, January 13, 2026 (negotiable)."

Snowmobile test ride: 1,000 yen for 10 minutes (with support staff)

■ Instructor 1 person 120 minutes 10,000 yen ~

Feature 2: Olympians have been produced and the course has improved the level

Yakushi Ski Resort is a small ski resort with one lift and four lanes.

However, as the slope faces north, the snow quality is good and it is perfect as a practice slope for beginners . Of course, snowboarding is also permitted on the entire slope.

In fact, Yakushi Ski Resort is where Hoshi Mizue, a member of the Japanese team at the Turin Olympics, practiced from a young age! Even now, many skiers visit the resort as a practice course.

If you hone your skills here, maybe you can become an Olympic athlete in the future?

Feature 3: Enjoy a day trip to the hot springs at the adjacent facility, Yu Park Yakushi!

After enjoying your skiing, you can wash off the sweat at the adjacent day spa facility, Yu-Park Yakushi !

You can quickly soothe your tired body after skiing.

Review of Yakushi Ski Resort

・A ski resort that can be rented exclusively. If you rent it exclusively, you can also try sledding, airboats, snowmobiles, and paragliding. You can do whatever you want.

(Quote: surf &snow )

・I've been going there several times a year for about 10 years. It's compact and there's only one short lift, but there are several courses, including steep slopes with ungroomed snow, so you can enjoy fresh and deep snow. The set meals at the restaurant are cheap, have a homemade feel, and are very delicious.

(Quote: Google )

Access to Yakushi Ski Resort

By car: Approximately 10 minutes from Uonuma IC on the Kanetsu Expressway

By train: Take the Minami Echigo Kanko Bus Koide-Tochiomata Line from JR Koide Station, get off at the Yunotani Junior High School bus stop, then walk for about 17 minutes

*For details on each access, please see here (Yakushi Ski Resort official website)

Recommended places to stay

We will introduce recommended accommodations that are convenient for accessing Yakushi Ski Resort.

1. Yakushi Onsen Shiki no Sato Yakushi Onsen Yamabikoso is within walking distance of Yakushi Ski Resort. It is a single inn located in a quiet location on a hill.

For more information on the Yakushi Onsen area, click here

2. Koide District

Conveniently located in the heart of town. At night, we recommend strolling through Koide's downtown area to eat and drink. 

For more information on accommodation in the Koide area, click here

Event Information

Yakushi Ski Resort also holds various events from time to time. For details, please visit the Yakushi Ski Resort official website .

Yakushi Ski Resort official website

Summary: A lineup that can be enjoyed by everyone from beginners to advanced skiers! Ski resorts in Uonuma City

We've introduced four ski resorts in Uonuma City. From winter to spring, you can enjoy winter sports on slopes in excellent condition throughout the season. Why not enjoy winter in Uonuma City, which also has many other attractions such as hot springs?