Tier 1
Naeba
Naeba, first-timer's edition. Flight to Narita / Haneda, lift pass ~¥7,500/day, real powder. Where to stay and…
Open guide →Areas
Yuzawa: which resort should you actually pick?
If you've decided on Yuzawa but can't pick between the 7 resorts on offer, this page is for you. Some share lifts and passes, others are quieter or steeper. Below: a quick side-by-side, then the detailed guide for each.
Comparing Yuzawa resorts side by side
Tier 1
Kagura
Skiing Kagura — what it costs, what to expect on the slopes, and where to crash near the lifts. Honest notes f…
Open guide →Tier 1
GALA Yuzawa
GALA Yuzawa (Niigata) opens late Nov to early May. Lift passes, rentals, hotels near the lifts, plus the easie…
Open guide →Tier 2
Ishiuchi Maruyama
Ishiuchi Maruyama, first-timer's edition. Flight to Narita / Haneda, lift pass ~¥7,500/day, real powder. Where…
Open guide →Tier 2
Iwappara
Iwappara (Niigata) opens late Nov to early May. Lift passes, rentals, hotels near the lifts, plus the easiest …
Open guide →Tier 2
Yuzawa Kogen
Yuzawa Kogen, first-timer's edition. Flight to Narita / Haneda, lift pass ~¥7,500/day, real powder. Where to s…
Open guide →Tier 3
Kandatsu
Kandatsu, first-timer's edition. Flight to Narita / Haneda, lift pass ~¥7,500/day, real powder. Where to stay …
Open guide →Which Yuzawa resort suits you best?
Each resort in Yuzawa has its own personality — some are beginner-friendly (wide groomed runs, cheaper passes), some are powder magnets (steep terrain, tree runs), some sit right by the train station, others need a bus connection. Open each card for the deep dive.
Best month to ski Yuzawa
Yuzawa opens roughly late November and runs to early May. Best powder lands mid-January to mid-February — crowds and hotel rates peak the same window. Flexible? Early March still skis well at noticeably lower prices.