GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort opened in 1990 in the town of Yuzawa, in Niigata Prefecture. As mentioned at the beginning of this article, it is situated in a region of heavy snowfall. It is also famous for the scene of snow falling in the deep mountains, appearing in the novel Yukiguni written by Yasunari Kawabata, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Yuzawa is also famous as one of the best snow resorts in Japan, attracting many winter sports fans with its excellent snow quality and abundant snowfall.

GALA Yuzawa is a popular destination for snow enthusiasts because it offers an enjoyable experience for all skill levels. The snow park features a variety of slopes and activities that cater to both beginners and experts alike.

Foreign visitors frequent GALA Yuzawa, so the park has English- and Chinese-speaking staff available at almost all facilities. This includes the information counter, ticket counters, and restaurants, making it easy to communicate and get help.

Additionally, language barriers are not an issue at GALA Yuzawa as the official website and guide maps are available in English, traditional/simplified Chinese, and Thai. This makes it easy for visitors to navigate and plan their trip accordingly.

GALA Yuzawa has 16 slopes where beginners and advanced skiers and snowboarders alike can enjoy great snow.

Among GALA Yuzawa's trails, there are non-compacting snow courses for intermediate and advanced skiers who can fully enjoy powder snow, and forest courses that even beginners can enjoy.

The 2.6 Million Dollar Slope is said to be the most popular compacted snow course for skiers and snowboarders looking for a challenge.

In addition to enjoying snow sports, there is also a “Snow Play Park” where even small children can enjoy playing in the snow and sledding.

(Please note that early morning and night hours are unavailable.)

One of the most popular features of GALA-Yuzawa is its easy access to the ski center. Hop on the Joetsu Shinkansen from JR Tokyo Station. Seventy-five minutes later, get off at GALA-Yuzawa Station. Since the station offers ski-in and ski-out access, you are right at the slopes when you arrive.

Located just outside the Shinkansen ticket gates, the Ski Center is where you can purchase tickets, and rent clothing and accessories. Here you'll find locker rooms and other conveniences to get everything ready before hitting the slopes.

We recommend the JR TOKYO Wide PASS for foreign visitors who want to enjoy the slopes but then explore more of Niigata Prefecture. During the validity period, this discount rail pass offers unlimited rides on JR lines (including Shinkansen) in the greater Tokyo area and is available only to foreign nationals.

The pass sells for 15,000 yen for adults (12 years and older) and 7,500 yen for children (6 to 11 years). For children under 6 years old, the Shinkansen ride is free of charge if you do not reserve a reserved seat.

How good a deal is this? For instance, if you take the Joetsu Shinkansen from JR Tokyo Station to Gala-Yuzawa Station at the regular fare, the round-trip fare for adults is about 20,000 yen. You'd already save over 3,000 yen with one trip with the pass.

Since the Wide PASS allows unlimited rides, you can make the most of your sightseeing. For example, using the pass, you can enjoy the snow at GALA Yuzawa for one day and visit Kusatsu Onsen the next, or even move on to the Mt. Fuji area.

How to purchase a JR Tokyo Wide PASS
You can buy the Tokyo Wide PASS online at the link below or at JR East Ticket Centers and JR Travel Service Centers at Narita and Haneda Airports, plus at other major train stations (like Tokyo, Ikebukuro, and Shinjuku). For details see the East Japan Railway website.

Note that only foreign travelers with passports other than Japanese nationality can purchase this ticket. You will need to present your passport at the time of purchase or when redeeming.

Lift tickets are 6,500 yen (including tax) for adults and 3,000 yen (including tax) for elementary school students for a one-day in-park pass at the regular price from December 16 to April 7, when purchased on the same day. The 2-Day Pass or half-day tickets like the Morning Pass are also solid deals.

Also, if you purchase from the Web Ticket Store or use a direct-in ticket (charge your IC card lift ticket from the "Webket" Web Ticket Store) for a second time, you can save even more.

GALA Yuzawa offers a full lineup of rental clothing and ski gear, making it perfect for foreign travelers who want to keep their luggage to a minimum. You don't have to bring your own skis or board because you can rent everything you need at the resort.

Starting December 2023, GALA Yuzawa will introduce a new reservation-based rental service that is even more convenient and easy to use. The ski and snowboard rental service will be fully renewed, so you can enjoy a hassle-free experience when renting equipment.

If you plan to visit GALA Yuzawa and want to rent ski gear or clothing, be sure to check the official website for details from November onwards. The website will provide all the information you need about the new rental service and any updates on the resort.

For visitors who have never seen snow before but who want to give skiing a go, lessons are available in English. Lessons in Chinese are available in some years as well; check the official website for details.

(Note that lessons in English are conducted by a foreign instructor, while lessons in Chinese are conducted by a Japanese instructor and native staff with simultaneous interpretation.)

GALA Yuzawa also has a variety of different activities for people who want to enjoy the snow.

There is also a "Snowmobile Sled Tour" (1,000 yen per person, tax included), in which visitors board a six-person sleigh and are pulled along by a snowmobile for an exhilarating ride through the snow. (*Details not fixed, as of October 2023)

In addition, GALA Yuzawa usually holds a "Kamakura (igloo) Festival" every year. If you have a chance, you should definitely check this out.

GALA Yuzawa is a well-equipped facility that offers a variety of amenities to visitors. It has several restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat if you feel hungry after skiing or playing in the snow in the morning.

In addition, GALA Yuzawa has a spa that offers hot spring and pool facilities. Adults can access the spa for 1,300 yen including tax, while elementary school students can enjoy the same facilities for 800 yen including tax. You can also rent swimsuits for 500 yen (tax included).

Moreover, GALA Yuzawa has changing rooms and lockers. The lockers are free for in/out use on the day for 1,000 yen. Additionally, there is a free rest area where you can take a break from all the activities.

GALA Yuzawa can fulfill various wishes such as seeing snow, skiing, and walking on snow-covered mountains. If you are coming from Tokyo, we recommend using the JR TOKYO Wide PASS, which is available only for foreign tourists.

*Information at the time of publication was updated in October 2023. Please contact the facility directly for the latest information.