Yuzawa Ski Resort Comparisons

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 ski resort statistics table on the Yuzawa overview page to compare the general size of the resort and the elevation. You can also look at our Honshu 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, and Naeba and Maiko are OK too.

For lift-accessed backcountry and backcountry touring, Kagura and Naeba are good.

Best Snow of the Yuzawa Ski Resorts

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 is mostly north facing (or northeast to northwest), Ishiuchi has a northeasterly orientation, and Maiko also has an orientation conducive to great snow.

You can see the Niigata snow stats to compare the Yuzawa ski resorts for elevation and aspect, as well as other Niigata ski resorts.

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 (unless you’re on a toboggan) considering it’s tiny and just has a magic carpet.

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 in the main part of the season.

Skiers Only

Note that Naspa Ski Garden is for two plankers only - no snowboarders allowed. 

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.

	Opening	Closing
Chateau Shizozawa	late Dec	late March
Gala Yuzawa	mid Dec	early May
Ipponsugi	late Dec	early April
Ishiuchi Maruyama	late Dec	early April
Iwappara	late Dec	late March
Joetsu Kokusai	mid Dec	early April
Kagura	late Nov	mid May
Kandatsu	late Dec	mid April
Ludens Yuzawa	closed
Maiko	late Dec	early April
Mt Granview	closed
Muikamachi Hakkaisan	late Dec	late March
Naeba	mid Dec	early Apr
Nakazato Snow Wood	late Dec	late March
Naspa	late Dec	late Mar
Yuzawa Kogen	late Dec	early April
Yuzawa Nakazato	late Dec	late Mar
Yuzawa Park	late Dec	late Mar