There are lots of Yuzawa ski resort options so it can become a little overwhelming to choose which resort/s you want to ski or snowboard at. As a starting point you can look at the
Yuzawa ski resort statistics table below to compare the general size of the resort and the elevation. You can also look at our
Japan ski resort ratings to see how we rate some of the Yuzawa ski resorts versus others in Japan.
Best Yuzawa Ski Resort for Beginners
Lots of the ski resorts have great beginner terrain. Top picks would be
Iwappara,
Kagura and
Maiko.
Best Skiing in Yuzawa for Intermediates
Similarly lots of the Yuzawa resorts are great for intermediates. Good choices would include
Joetsu Kokusai,
Naeba and
Gala Yuzawa (along with neighbouring
Ishiuchi Maruyama and
Yuzawa Kogen).
Best Yuzawa Ski Resort for Powder Hounds
Several of the Yuzawa ski resorts are not particularly great for advanced skiers and snowboarders wanting to chase the powder, either because the mountain is not steep enough, off-piste skiing is banned (and strictly policed) or opportunities are limited. Those resorts that are great for powder hounds include
Kagura,
Hakkaisan, and
Kandatsu Kogen, and Maiko is OK too.
Best Snow
In some respects the typical length of the
Yuzawa ski season (see table) for each resort is partially indicative of the general snow quality. The top elevation as outlined in the Yuzawa ski resort statistics table is also somewhat indicative of the best snow quality. So as to be expected, the upper parts of
Naeba and Kagura typically have good snow quality.
Kagura is the top pick as it tends to get bigger dumps of snow compared to Naeba.
Of course aspect also has a part to play with respect to good snow.
Kandatsu Kogen is mostly north facing (or northeast to northwest),
Ishiuchi has a northeasterly orientation, and
Maiko also has an orientation conducive to great snow.
Easy Access
Gala Yuzawa takes the cake for having the best access from Tokyo considering it has its own shinkansen station at the base of the gondola.
For access from the town of Yuzawa, Ipponsugi is the closest considering it sits just above the town, only 250 metres from the train station. However most people won’t want to ride at Ipponsugi considering it’s tiny and they charge a lot for the privilege of riding just one lift.
Yuzawa Kogen is also very easy to access from the centre of town being only 500 metres from the Echigo-Yuzawa train station. With a tri-area pass you can then also ski over to Gala Yuzawa and Ishiuchi Maruyama.
Skiers Only
Note that Naspa Ski Garden and Ipponsugi are for two plankers only - no snowboarders allowed.
Yuzawa Ski Resort Statistics Comparison
ChateauShizozawa |
579 |
210 |
7 |
4 |
40 |
40 |
20 |
37 |
Gala Yuzawa |
1181 |
381 |
17 |
11 |
35 |
45 |
20 |
33 |
Ipponsugi |
470 |
30 |
1 |
1 |
80 |
20 |
0 |
12 |
Ishiuchi Maruyama |
920 |
664 |
23 |
16 |
40 |
40 |
20 |
35 |
Iwappara |
985 |
585 |
10 |
8 |
40 |
40 |
20 |
35 |
JoetsuKokusai |
1017 |
817 |
22 |
25 |
30 |
50 |
20 |
38 |
Kagura |
1845 |
1225 |
23 |
22 |
45 |
35 |
20 |
32 |
KandatsuKogen |
1000 |
540 |
13 |
7 |
30 |
40 |
30 |
45 |
Ludens Yuzawa |
680 |
230 |
5 |
1 |
40 |
40 |
20 |
29 |
Maiko |
920 |
660 |
26 |
11 |
40 |
40 |
20 |
32 |
Mt Granview |
620 |
370 |
7 |
3 |
30 |
40 |
30 |
30 |
Hakkaisan |
1170 |
815 |
15 |
4 |
30 |
40 |
30 |
38 |
Naeba |
1789 |
889 |
22 |
13 |
30 |
40 |
30 |
32 |
NakazatoSnowWood |
670 |
183 |
3 |
2 |
50 |
30 |
20 |
31 |
Naspa |
690 |
260 |
8 |
5 |
30 |
40 |
30 |
38 |
YuzawaKogen |
1170 |
840 |
7 |
6 |
40 |
40 |
20 |
30 |
YuzawaNakazato |
702 |
244 |
16 |
8 |
40 |
30 |
30 |
32 |
Yuzawa Park |
650 |
210 |
11 |
6 |
40 |
40 |
20 |
31 |
You can also see our Japan
ski
resort
statistics to see how the Yuzawa ski resorts compare to others in Japan.
Yuzawa Ski Season
Here are the typical opening and closing dates of the resorts. Of course, the exact Yuzawa ski season at the different resorts will be dependent on snow conditions at the time.
Chateau Shizozawa |
late Dec |
late March |
Gala Yuzawa |
mid Dec |
early May |
Ipponsugi |
late Dec |
early April |
Ishiuchi Maruyama |
mid Dec |
early April |
Iwappara |
early Dec |
early April |
Joetsu Kokusai |
early Dec |
early April |
Kagura |
mid Nov |
late May |
Kandatsu Kogen |
mid Dec |
late April |
Ludens Yuzawa |
late Dec |
early April |
Maiko |
mid Dec |
mid April |
Mt Granview |
late Dec |
late March |
Muikamachi Hakkaisan |
mid Dec |
mid March |
Naeba |
mid Dec |
early May |
Nakazato Snow Wood |
mid Dec |
late March |
Naspa |
mid Dec |
mid April |
Yuzawa Kogen |
mid Dec |
early April |
Yuzawa Nakazato |
mid Dec |
early April |
Yuzawa Park |
mid Dec |
early April |