GALA YUZAWA SNOW RESORT
Yuzawa, Niigata
(0257) 85-6543 www.galaresort.jp/winter/english Dec. 21 - May 6 8:00 - 17:00
1 DAY Adults ¥4,500 TICKET Kids ¥2,200
If you want a quick, convenient day-trip from Tokyo, you can’t get any easier than GALA Yuzawa. The ski resort has its very own bullet train and train station that doubles as the ski lodge. The amazing efficiency means you won’t be alone on the hill. However, get up to the mountain, get in a few runs with friends and be back in time to buy your favorite designer goods in Harajuku. The resort is geared toward recreation and families with kids, but it does connect to other resorts, so there are more options for serious skiers. And if you just want to have fun in the snow for a day with friends, you can’t beat the convenience. Park
Beginner Station Intermediate ACCESS By Train: 77 minutes from Tokyo Station to GALA Yuzawa Lifts Gondola By Car: 5 minutes from Yuzawa I.C. (Kanetsu Expressway)
Advanced Descent Course
Park
35% 1 2
Park
Beginner Lifts
Intermediate Advanced Descent Course Gondola
35% 1 2
16
courses
45% 1 3
16
courses
45% 1 3
20% 4
Longest Course: 2,350m Top Elevation: 1,181m Base Elevation: 358m
20% 4
Longest Course: 2,350m Top Elevation: 1,181m Base Elevation: 358m
IWAPPARA
Yuzawa, Niigata
(0257) 87-3211 www.iwa-ppara.com Dec. 7 - Apr. 6 8:00 - 21:00 (17:00 - 21:00)
1 DAY Adults ¥4,000 TICKET Kids ¥2,500
Although Iwappara looks like a relic of Japan’s bubble era, with big pink apartments along the course, it is still one of the more popular resorts in the Yuzawa area. It’s super convenient from the station (seven minutes) by shuttle bus, so it is quite possible to do a day trip from Tokyo. The main course is very wide open, making it a great place for beginners to practice their turns without fear of being run over by a speedy skier (or vice versa). The views from the top are nice, and the village area around the ski area has a nice selection of restaurants.
Beginnerto Echigo Intermediate Advanced Yuzawa ACCESS By Train and Shuttle Bus: 77 minutes from Tokyo Station Lifts(7 minutes) Gondola Station then shuttle bus from Echigo Yuzawa Station
Park
40% 2
Beginner Lifts
40% 2
Intermediate Gondola
Advanced
40% 6
11
courses
Snow-Country
20%
Super Pass
Yuzawa, Niigata 1 DAY Adults ¥4,000 TICKET Kids ¥3,000
NASPA is a relatively new ski resort (opened in 1992) whose claim to fame is being one of the last skiers-only resorts left in Japan. The ski hill is behind the deluxe New Otani Hotel. The resort definitely caters toward families who ski and want to stay in luxury. Guests can enjoy the excellent hot springs, Jacuzzis, a swimming pool, fitness center and a selection of restaurants. Its location near the station makes for a quick, convenient ski weekend from Tokyo, if you want to get in a few turns (on skis) with the family. Park
(025) 782-1028 www.jkokusai.co.jp Dec. 7 - Apr. 6 8:00 - 21:00 (17:00 - 21:00)
38% 2
Park
38% 2
8 BeginnerYuzawa Intermediate StationAdvanced (77 courses ACCESS By Train and Free Shuttle Bus: Joetsu Shinkansen to Echigo minutes) then free shuttle bus to NASPA Ski Garden (5Lifts minutes)Gondola
JOETSU KOKUSAI SKI RESORT
YUZAWA;
Park
Beginner Lifts
Intermediate Gondola
37% 1
Advanced
20%
Longest Course: 4,000m Top Elevation: 985m Base Elevation: 400m
Longest Course: 4,000m 11 Top Elevation: 985m courses Base Elevation: 400m
NASPA SKI GARDEN (025) 780-6222 www.naspa.co.jp/ski/ Dec. 21 - Apr. 6 8:30 - 17:00 (17:00 - 19:00)
40% 6
8
courses
25% 2
01. NAEBA 01. NAEBA-ASAGAI 02. KAGURA 03. LUDENS YUZAWA 04. NAKAZATO SNOW WOOD 05. YUZAWA NAKAZATO 06. YUZAWA PARK 07. IWAPPARA 08. NASPA SKI GARDEN Longest Course: 2.2km 09. IPPONSUGI Top 10. Elevation: 690mKOGEN YUZAWA Base 11. Elevation: GALA430m YUZAWA 12. MAIKO
37% 1
25% 2
MINAKAMI; 13. NORN
MUIKAMACHI; 14. MUIKAMACHI 15. HAKKAISAN
TOKAMACHI; 16. MATSUNOYAMA-ONSEN
SAKAE VILLAGE; 17. SAKAE CLUB
Longest Course: 2.2km Top Elevation: 690m Base Elevation: 430m
Minamiuonuma, Niigata 1 DAY Adults ¥4,000 TICKET Kids ¥2,500
To the north of Yuzawa Town is a 634-room, European-style hotel that anchors the Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort. The runs are relatively short here, but there is a long 6K trail and a 38-degree “Daibetto Slope” that will challenge anyone’s courage. The resort also has an extensive terrain park and two half-pipes; one used for the World Cup, and regularly hosts events such as the Nippon Freeskiing Competition. It’s also a great place for kids featuring the Kids Paradise areas with snow tubing and air slides, Sori Land (Sled Land), the Sponge Bob Kids Park and a “day nursery.” Park
Beginner Intermediate Echigo Yuzawa ACCESS By Train and Bus: Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo toLifts Gondola Station (77 minutes) then train to Joetsu Kokusai (15 minutes)
Advanced
Park
30% 3 Park
Beginner Lifts
30% 3
Intermediate Gondola
50% 4
Advanced
22
courses
50% 4
20% 18
Longest Course: 6,000m Top Elevation: 1,017m Base Elevation: 200m
20% 18
Longest Course: 6,000m Top Elevation: 1,017m courses Base Elevation: 200m
22
More information online at www.outdoorjapan.com/snow WINTER 2014
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