NIIGATA

One day in 1986, the good people of Joetsu, a coastal city in Niigata, were deluged by 232 centimeters of snow—in one day. That’s roughly enough to bury a one-story building. Although this sort of thing doesn’t happen every day, Niigata gets some of the heaviest snowfalls in Japan. The town of Yuzawa was where Yasunari Kawabata penned his awardwinning novel “Snow Country” (Yukiguni). It is also Niigata’s most popular of winter sports areas, due to the easy access from Tokyo (77 minutes) and the variety of ski resorts a snowball’s throw from the station. Just over the border from Nagano Prefecture, in the southeastern part of Niigata, the Myoko Kogen area is one of Japan’s best-kept secrets. This scenic, mountainous area stretches all the way to the Sea of Japan coast and features some great resorts in its own right.

GALA YUZAWA SNOW RESORT

YUZAWA KOGEN

NAEBA

NASPA SKI GARDEN

KANDATSU KOGEN

LUDENS YUZAWA SKI

YUZAWA PARK SKI

YUZAWA NAKAZATO

NAKAZATO SNOW WOOD

(0257) 89-4117 http://www.princehotels.com/en/ski/naeba/index.html

Dec. 17 - Apr. 9 8:00 - 17:00 (16:00 - 20:30)

Mt. Naeba calls itself "The St. Moritz of the East" and is a popular choice for Kanto trendsetters wishing to get away for a convenient ski weekend. The crescent-shaped Prince Hotel cuts an imposing figure at the base of this classic ski-in/ski-out resort and features all the trappings you would expect from a Prince-managed resort hotel. Off the mountain, there are children’s services, shops and other amenities and, on the mountain, a terrain park, kids park, family snow park and more. Naeba is connected to Kagura, Tashiro, and Mitsumata ski areas via the "Dragondola," which travels 5.5 kilometers in just 20 minutes, so there are 55 trails explore if you have the time.

These three connecting ski areas form one big resort. If you count Naeba, the total rideable area is 303 hectares. From Naeba, you’ll be lifted above Lake Tashiro to wider and less crowded slopes and better snow quality, but the area closes at 4 p.m. and the lift line back to Naeba can be long, so beware. A better option is to access the Tashiro Ropeway on Route 17. You can then traverse across Tashiro in about 40 minutes to Kagura, a popular backcountry zone and a great option for early and late season skiing. The Mitsumata area has a small boarder's park, a few jumps and two good slopes for learning. Accessible by the Mitsumata Ropeway on Route 17.

Gala Yuzawa Snow Resort

(0257) 85-6543 https://gala.co.jp/winter/english/

Dec. 17 - May 7 8:00 - 17:00

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 center. 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.

ACCESS By Train: 75 minutes from Tokyo Station to GALA Yuzawa Station By Car: 5 minutes from Yuzawa I.C. (Kanetsu Expressway)

Iwappara

(025) 787-3211 www.iwa-ppara.com

Dec. 17 - Late Mar.

8:00 19:00 (17:00 19:00) (Saturdays: 8:00 - 20:00)

Iwappara is one of the more popular resorts in the Yuzawa area. It is extremely 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.

Naspa New Otani

(025) 780-6888 www.naspanewotani.com

Dec. 23 - Apr. 2 8:30 - 17:00

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.

Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort

(025) 782-1028 www.jkokusai.co.jp

Dec. 3 - Apr. 2 8:00 - 21:00 (17:00 - 21:00)

One of the largest ski resorts in Japan, Joetsu Kokusai boasts four zones catering to different levels that satisfied a wide range of skiers and snowboarders. There is a kids park right outside the hotel, rentals and ski school programs for beginners. Enjoy soaking in an onsen and dining on local cuisine after a day on the slopes. There are also free events held throughout the season.

ACCESS By Train: Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo to Echigo Yuzawa Station (77 minutes) then train to Joetsu Kokusai (12 minutes)

Myoko Suginohara

(0255) 86-6211 www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/myoko

Dec. 24 - Mar. 26 8:30 16:30

Myoko Kogen is simply one of the naturally prettiest ski areas in Japan. Suginohara is part of Prince Hotels (although there is no hotel here), and the facilities are well maintained. The runs above the gondola are where advanced skiers and powder hounds will have the most fun. The resort has 17 trails, a terrain park, kids sledding area (ask about kids skiing free) and six onhill restaurants. Suginohara also boasts one of Japan’s longest top-to-bottom, an 8.5-kilometer thigh burner that will test anyone’s meddle if left for the last run of the day. The stunning view of Lake Nojiri below from the gondola makes it worth the trip alone.

By Train: 120 minutes from Tokyo Station to Myoko Kogen Station By Car: 180 minutes from Tokyo

(0255) 87-2125 www.akakura-ski.com

Dec. 10 - Apr. 2 8:30 - 22:00 (17:00 - 22:00)

1 DAY TICKET Adults ¥6,000 Kids ¥1,000

Akakura Ski Resort is located at the bottom of Mt. Myoko and is the largest resort in the Myoko Heights area. The resort has a nice variety of courses as well as powder stashes and some challenging courses on the old “Champions” side of the mountain. The town’s hot springs date back to 1814, and there is no better way to finish off a day on the mountain. The Akakura Resort & Spa sits majestically on the slopes. It’s a great place to stay if you want ski in/ski out luxury. The area averages about 13 meters of snow annually, so there is plenty of fluffy stuff, and it has a pleasant natural beauty. Akakura has a nice variety of courses, but the most challenging runs are on the old “Champions” side of the mountain.

Seki Onsen

(0255) 82-2316 www.sekionsen.com

Mid Dec. - early May 9:00 - 17:00

1 DAY TICKET Adults ¥3,800 Kids ¥2,800

Seki is the highest ski area in the Myoko Kogen area and, even though there are just two lifts, there is access to many powder runs. This is a locals mountain, and they check the weather reports and know when the storms will hit, sometimes dropping one or two meters of new snow overnight. It pays to get up early if you want first tracks. Don’t expect groomers; this is natural terrain and free riding at its finest: tree runs, natural pipes and some good hits.

Charmant Hiuchi

(025) 568-2244 http://charmant-hiuchi.jp Dec. 16 - early May 8:30 - 16:30

1 DAY TICKET

Adults ¥4,100

Kids ¥3,050

Charmant is a locally owned and operated ski resort most of your friends do not know about but may wish they did. The resort is literally right on the Japan Sea (you can see it from the top lifts) and gets some of the heaviest snow dumps around. It is also a healthy drive from Tokyo (four hours), but is worth the trip if you enjoy short lift lines and uncrowded slopes. There are lots of ungroomed areas and advanced terrain including a 1,000-meter powder course. The proximity to the sea means there is some excellent seafood nearby as well, and you can ski straight through Golden Week.