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

Types of Lift Tickets
Lift tickets are available at two different prices: the on-site price (when purchased at the ticket counter on the day) and the web price (when purchased online through the ticket store “Webket”). Prices also vary depending on the length of time you use the lifts.

For example, for a standard 1-day pass, the on-site price is 7,300 yen for adults and 3,000 yen for children, while the web price is 6,800 yen for adults and 2,800 yen for children.

For more details, please refer to the official website: https://gala.co.jp/winter/charges/.

How to Save Money When Buying Tickets
In addition to the online discount prices available through the ticket store “Webket,” there are other ways to purchase lift tickets at a reduced rate. For example, Asoview! offers an early-bird discount plan with 2,800 yen off, and SURF&SNOW provides a ticketless discount option. Note that some services are available only in Japanese, so they may not be convenient for international visitors.

Combo plans that combine several services are often more practical. Examples of such plans offered by various travel agencies include:
1. Shinkansen + Lift Ticket Set
2. Lift Ticket + Rental + Meal Coupon Set
3. Lift Ticket + Hot Spring Admission Set

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.

Group Lessons vs. Private Lessons
Group lessons for skiing and snowboarding are reasonably priced at 7,000 yen for a two-hour session.
On the other hand, private lessons are considerably more expensive. The price varies depending on the number of participants — 1 person, 2–3 people, 4–6 people, or 7–10 people — and there is also a family private lesson option for groups of up to 5 people.

For detailed pricing information, please refer to the official website: https://gala.co.jp/en/winter/school/.

GALA Yuzawa features the popular GALA Kids School, a ski school designed especially for families with children. It caters to kids up to 12 years old, with classes divided according to age and skill level. The school offers finely tailored programs, such as the “Rabbit Class” for beginners, the “Ezo Red Fox Class” for intermediate skiers, and the “Wolf Class” for advanced learners, allowing children to progress naturally and safely at their own pace.

Lesson options include a half-day course (about 2 hours, either in the morning or afternoon) or a full-day course (about 4 hours), making it easy for families to choose according to their child’s stamina and travel schedule. The fees are 8,500 yen for a half-day and 15,000 yen for a full day.

Reservations can be made in advance through the official website (gala-kidsschool.com), ensuring a smooth booking process even during busy periods. Some instructors can communicate in English, making the school welcoming and convenient for international families as well.

Gala Yuzawa does not offer childcare services.

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.

Tubing, Sledding & Snow Play Areas

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

There is also a "Snowmobile Sled Tour" Adults 3,500 yen, Children (4 years and older) 3,000 yen, 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 November 2025)

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, changing rooms, and lockers. 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!

At GALA Yuzawa, there is Spa Gala no Yu, a hot spring facility located inside the Kawabanga Ski Center, which is directly connected to GALA Yuzawa Station. It is popular among day-trip visitors and frequently used.

Bath Types

Spa Gala no Yu features both a hot spring area and a pool area. The pool area requires swimsuits and is mixed-gender. Swimsuits are, of course, available for rent for 500 yen (tax included).

The facility offers a wide variety of baths, including indoor baths, a mixed-gender open-air bath requiring swimsuits, bubble baths, jet baths, jacuzzis, cascade showers, reclining baths, saunas, cold baths, and a swimsuit-required fitness pool.

The admission fee, which covers both the hot spring and pool areas, is 1,500 yen for adults and 900 yen for children (as of November 2025).

A tent-style sauna is also available during the winter season only. However, an additional fee (price undecided as of November 2025) is required for its use.

Resort Tattoo Policy
Entry is not permitted for individuals with tattoos.

In the Uonuma region of Niigata, hegi soba is famous. This is a type of soba noodle made with funori, a kind of seaweed, as a binding ingredient. Located near Echigo-Yuzawa station, Soba-dokoro Nakanoya Yuzawa Honten is a popular soba restaurant known for its refined Japanese-style interior with tatami seating. In addition to hegi soba, the restaurant serves a variety of dishes such as homemade tofu and oden. It’s an excellent place to enjoy local cuisine.

Niigata Prefecture, known as Japan’s premier rice-producing region, is also famous for its sake. Inside Echigo-Yuzawa Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen line, there is a unique sake museum called Ponshukan, where visitors can enjoy sake tasting.

For 500 yen at the entrance, you receive five tokens and a small ochoko (sake cup). With around 100 varieties of sake available, you can use the tokens to sample whichever ones you like.

If you find a sake you particularly enjoy, you can purchase it as a souvenir.

In addition, Ponshukan offers other Niigata-style experiences, including a salt-tasting corner, “bakudan” rice balls, koji-based drinks and sweets, and even a sake-infused bath.

One of the reasons for GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort’s popularity is its excellent accessibility. It takes as little as 75 minutes from JR Tokyo Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen, and once you get off at GALA Yuzawa Station, which is directly connected to the resort, you’re already at the ski center.

Right outside the Shinkansen ticket gate, you’ll find the ski center, where everything you need before hitting the slopes is conveniently located: lift ticket counters, rental services for wear and accessories, locker rooms, and more.

Access From Tokyo Station
・Route: Tokyo Station → (Joetsu Shinkansen) → GALA Yuzawa Station
・Travel time: Approx. 75–90 minutes
・Fare: 7,020 yen one way

Access From Echigo-Yuzawa Station (Free Shuttle Bus)
・Route: Echigo-Yuzawa Station → (Bus) → GALA Yuzawa Station (operates only during the winter season)
・Travel time: Approx. 10 minutes
・Fare: Free

Access From Echigo-Yuzawa Station (JR)
・Route: Echigo-Yuzawa Station → (JR Joetsu Line) → GALA Yuzawa Station (service available only during GALA Yuzawa’s operating period)
・Travel time: Approx. 2 minutes
・Fare: 250 yen one way

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 select 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 15,500 yen for adults (12 and older) and 7,750 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 14,000 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.

Delivery Services
When traveling for skiing or snowboarding, heavy and bulky luggage can be a hassle. At GALA Yuzawa, you can take advantage of a convenient delivery service that allows you to ship your gear in advance and pick it up at the resort on your skiing day—making your Shinkansen trip much easier.

There is a delivery counter on the 3rd floor of the “Kawabanga” Ski Center, so be sure to make good use of it. For details, please refer to the official page: https://gala.co.jp/winter/facilities/.

Here are some sightseeing spots around GALA Yuzawa where you can enjoy yourself beyond skiing — perfect for adding variety to your travel itinerary.

Located near Echigo-Yuzawa Station, this unique hot spring is attached to Ponshukan and features baths infused with Japanese sake. It’s said to promote blood circulation and relaxation — an ideal way to unwind after playing in the snow.

One of the world’s largest ropeways, capable of carrying up to 166 passengers, takes you to an altitude of about 1,000 meters. From the top, you can enjoy sweeping views of the snow-covered mountains and the town of Yuzawa — a truly breathtaking winter landscape.

A short trip from GALA Yuzawa brings you to Kiyotsu Gorge, where a 750-meter-long tunnel walkway allows you to explore the dramatic, snow-covered canyon. Strolling through this serene winter landscape offers a uniquely atmospheric experience.

Here are some recommended accommodation options around GALA Yuzawa.