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 Wide PASS offers great value, covering the Kanto area served by JR East. It allows unlimited travel on reserved seats for Shinkansen and limited express trains over three consecutive days. The cost is 15,000 yen for adults (12 and older) and 7,500 yen for children (6–11 years old). Children under 6 do not need a pass if they do not require a reserved seat.

For comparison, a round-trip reserved seat on the Joetsu Shinkansen from JR Tokyo Station to Gala Yuzawa Station costs around 21,000 yen for adults. If traveling from Haneda or Narita airports, additional costs to JR Tokyo Station apply. With the Wide PASS, you get unlimited rides for a much lower price, plus the flexibility to explore various tourist destinations, making it an excellent deal.

You could spend a day enjoying snow activities at Gala Yuzawa, then visit places like Kusatsu Onsen, Mt. Fuji (a UNESCO World Heritage site), or Nikko Toshogu Shrine over the next two days. The pass also covers travel to and from Haneda and Narita airports, making it a convenient option for traveling throughout Japan.

Lift ticket prices for regular admission from December 13, 2024, to April 6, 2025 are as follows:
・1-Day Pass: 6,800 yen (tax included) for adults / 3,000 yen (tax included) for elementary school students.

The 4-Hour Pass offers a more affordable option. Additionally, purchasing tickets through the WEB Ticket Store or charging your IC card lift ticket via the "Webket" service after your second visit can provide further savings. Be sure to check for these special offers.

Gala Yuzawa offers a wide range of rental equipment, including ski gear and clothing, making it easy to enjoy your visit without bringing everything with you. It's perfect for foreign travelers looking to minimize their luggage.

A new, convenient, fully reservation-based rental service called "PICK UP BOX" has also been launched. By completing your reservation and payment via smartphone before arrival, you can shorten your waiting time on-site through the "WEB Application" service.

For those who are experiencing snow for the first time but want to try skiing, ski lessons are available in multiple languages. Classes are offered in English, Thai, and Chinese.

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 2024)

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

In addition, the resort offers a variety of facilities such as restaurants, a spa (from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, 1,300 yen tax included for adults, 800 yen tax included for elementary school students), changing rooms, and lockers (1,000 yen for unlimited access on the day). There is also a free rest area available.

For example, you can enjoy skiing or snow activities in the morning, head to the restaurant when you're hungry, and then relax in the hot springs or pool afterward! Swimwear is also available for rental (500 yen, tax included).

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 December 2024. Please contact the facility directly for the latest information.)