While Japan offers summer skiing at resorts like Kagura Ski Resort in Niigata Prefecture and Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort in Nagano Prefecture, Gassan Ski Resort in Yamagata Prefecture leads the way in early summer skiing.

Open from April to July, it sits at 1600 meters above sea level, ensuring genuine snow for spring and early summer skiing. Note that it can be challenging for non-expert skiers after mid-June.

In Japan, skiing is typically a winter activity, from December to February. But, interestingly, some places, like Gassan, maintain snow well into the summer months.

Thanks to heavy winter snowfall, Gassan Ski Resort's skiing season lasts from April to early July, providing a unique opportunity to ski when much of the country is thawing out.

The resort is fairly compact and divided into 3 categories: beginner, intermediate, and advanced.

・Beginner course: Ubazawa hut, front slope
・Intermediate course (with bumps): slope, large slope
This is a slope that opens wide. Recommended for skiers of intermediate level or above, because of the bumps in the course.
・Advanced course: cow-head course
A vast course close to the summit. 50-minute walk to get to the beginning of the slope.

Be sure to check the weather and announcements on the day you are planning to use the course, as any of them may not be available.

After skiing all day, you might want to rest and eat something.

You will find restaurants and shops at “Lift Shimoeki,” at the foot of the ski area. At the restaurants, you can taste great food like Konjaku bulb, croquettes, udon, and soba.

Gassan Ski Resort also has a directly managed hotel, Resort Inn. It’s the closest accommodation to the slopes, making it the best place to rest after a long day of skiing.

The meals are prepared with ingredients unique to Yamagata Prefecture, like Yamagata beef, and local vegetables. Local beers and local wine are also available.

Here, you will find a large public bath to soothe you after a day of skiing. This bath uses natural springs from Gassan. You can use these baths even if you are not staying overnight at the resort.

The hotel is located in the midst of nature at 1160m above sea level, surrounded by a beautiful landscape. What better place to be close to the ski slopes?

Descend from the ski resort area, and you'll discover Gassan Shizu Onsen Village.

This charming hot-spring town provides a variety of accommodations and rejuvenating hot springs for both overnight stays and shorter visits.

The hot springs in this village are well-suited for soothing tired muscles, revitalizing the skin, and recuperating from a day of skiing.

Gassan Ski Resort is accessible from Tokyo Station. Choose the transportation method that suits you: car, airplane and car, train and car, or train and bus.

The first one up is access by car.

・Tokyo → Urawa (about 35 minutes), Urawa → Murata JCT (Via Tohoku Expressway, about 3 hours and 10 minutes), Murata JCT → Nishikawa IC (Via Yamagata Expressway, about 55 minutes), Nishikawa IC → Gassan IC (Via Yamagata Expressway, about 15 minutes), Gassan IC → Gassan (About 20 minutes).

It will take you about 5 hours and 25 minutes to get there from Tokyo, but you can load your car with all your ski equipment and clothing, making it a perfect access method with groups and family.

For those heading directly to Gassan Ski Resort from the airport:

1. From Haneda Airport to Shonai Airport, it's about 1 hour, then it's about 1 hour and 20 minutes by car to Gassan.
・Total travel time: approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes. Prices start at 14,970 yen (excluding car rental fee).

2. From Haneda Airport to Yamagata Airport, it takes about 1 hour and 5 minutes. After that, it's approximately 1 hour and 12 minutes by car to Gassan.
・Total travel time: about 2 hours and 17 minutes. Prices start at 10,270 yen (excluding car rental fee).

Traveling by plane and car or bus is significantly faster than by car alone. This option is recommended if you're willing to spend a bit more for a quicker journey.

Here's a more concise version of the access information by train+car:

1. From JR Tokyo Station to Gassan: Take the Yamagata Shinkansen to Yamagata Station (about 2 hours and 50 minutes), then transfer to Sakuranbo Higashine Station via the Yamagata Shinkansen (about 16 minutes). Finally, proceed to Gassan by car (about 1 hour).
・Total travel time: about 4 hours and 6 minutes.

2. From JR Tokyo Station to Gassan: Start with the Tohoku Shinkansen to Sendai Station (about 2 hours), then transfer to Yamagata Station via the Senzan Line (about 1 hour and 20 minutes). Continue on to Samue Station using the Sazawa Line (about 30 minutes), and finally, reach Gassan by car (about 50 minutes).
・Total travel time: about 4 hours and 40 minutes.

Traveling by train involves multiple transfers, making it less suitable for families or groups. However, it's a great choice if you want to explore the attractions of Yamagata and Sendai during your journey.

For access by bus:

1. From JR Tokyo Station to Gassan:
・First, take a short train ride from JR Tokyo Station to JR Ueno Station (via JR Keihin Tohoku/Negishi Line, about 8 minutes).
・Price: 170 yen (IC 167 yen).

2. Next, board a highway bus from Ueno Station to Yamako Building Bus Terminal (about 6 hours and 53 minutes).
・Price: 6,900 yen.

3. Continue your journey by highway bus from Yamako Building Bus Terminal to Gassanguchi (about 1 hour and 2 minutes).
・Price: 1,700 yen.

4. Finally, take the Nishikawa Municipal Bus from Gassanguchi to Ubazawa (25 minutes).
・Price: 500 yen.

Total time required: about 9 hours and 30 minutes.

While the bus journey is the longest, it offers the advantage of allowing you to sleep during the trip since it operates as a night bus and covers the distance over a significant duration. Plus, there's no need to rent a car for this option.

You can enjoy your skiing in spring and summer, thanks to the nature surrounding Gassan Ski Resort. If you want to slide down slopes of natural snow in summer, go to Gassan Ski resort.