GALA YUZAWA SNOW RESORT (0257) 85-6543 Dec. 16 - May 6
Yuzawa, Niigata
www.galaresort.jp/winter/english 8:00 - 17:00
Adults Kids
1 DAY TICKET
¥4,600 ¥2,300
Park
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 Lifts
By Train: 77 minutes from Tokyo Station to GALA Yuzawa Beginner Station Intermediate Gondola By Car: 5 minutes from Yuzawa I.C. (Kanetsu Expressway)Lifts
16
Advanced Descent Course
courses
IWAPPARA 1 DAY TICKET
Adults Kids
¥4,000 ¥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 (10 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.
Longest Course: 2,500m Top Elevation: 1,181m Base Elevation: 358m
25% 3
Park
40% 2
Beginner Lifts
40% 2
NASPA SKI GARDEN ¥4,200 ¥3,200
40% 7
20%
20
courses
Longest Course: 4,000m Top Elevation: 985m Base Elevation: 400m
Longest Course: 4,000m Top Elevation: 985m Base Elevation: 400m
JOETSU KOKUSAI SKI RESORT
38% 2
Park
Beginner Lifts
38% 2
Intermediate Gondola
Advanced
37% 1
25% 2
37% 1
25% 2
Longest Course: 2.2km Top Elevation: 690m Base Elevation: 430m
8
courses
Longest Course: 2.2km Top Elevation: 690m Base Elevation: 430m
8 Beginner Station Intermediate By Train and Free Shuttle Bus: Joetsu Shinkansen to Echigo Yuzawa (77 Advanced courses Lifts Gondola minutes) then free shuttle bus to NASPA Ski Garden (5 minutes)
Minamiuonuma, Niigata Adults Kids
1 DAY TICKET
¥4,000 ¥2,500
To the north of Yuzawa Town is a 634-room, Europeanstyle 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
30% 3 Park
Beginner Lifts
30% 3
Park
By Train and Bus: Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo to minutes) then train to Joetsu Kokusai (15 minutes)
Advanced
20%
Park
Park
(025) 782-1028 www.jkokusai.co.jp Dec. 9 - Apr. 8 8:00 - 21:00 (17:00 - 21:00)
Intermediate Gondola
40% 7
Yuzawa, Niigata Adults Kids
1 DAY TICKET
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.
ACCESS
25% 3
Longest Course: 2,500m Top Elevation: 1,181m Base Elevation: 358m
20 By Train and Shuttle Bus: 77 minutes from Tokyo Station toBeginner EchigoIntermediate Yuzawa Advanced courses Lifts Gondola Station then shuttle bus from Echigo Yuzawa Station (10 minutes)
(025) 780-6888 www.naspaskigarden.com Dec. 22 - Apr. 1 8:30 - 17:00
ACCESS
40% 1 4
16
courses
40% 1 4
Yuzawa, Niigata
(025) 787-3211 www.iwa-ppara.com Dec. 9 - Apr. 8 8:00 - 20:00 (17:00 - 20:00) (Saturdays: 8:00 - 21:00)
ACCESS
Intermediate Advanced Descent Course Gondola
35% 1 2
Park
ACCESS
35% 1 2
Intermediate Advanced EchigoBeginner Yuzawa Station (77 Lifts Gondola
22
courses
Intermediate Gondola
Advanced
50% 4
20% 18
Longest Course: 6,000m Top Elevation: 1,017m Base Elevation: 200m
More information online at www.outdoorjapan.com/snow WINTER 2018
49
22
courses
50% 4
20% 18
Longest Course: 6,000m Top Elevation: 1,017m Base Elevation: 200m