Yuzawa Now: Friday 23rd January 2026
- Jan 23
- 3 min read
Updated: 10 hours ago
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Yuzawa & Minamiuonuma region of Niigata
New snowfall at base 14cm
Snowfall at base this seas 523cm
Posted on Friday 23rd January 2026 This is an archived report. The latest Yuzawa Now report can be found here.
Good morning.
Curious weather the last day or so.
We have received more snow in Yuzawa, but less than we expected and actually much less than just to the north in Minamiounuma and Uonuma... and Nagaoka. (Hey, those guys don't need snow, bring it down here!)
In SJHQ garden, just outside of Yuzawa and north of Ishiuchi, there has been over 45cm of snow since yesterday morning!
In contrast, at our measuring point in Yuzawa (and the number on this report), it's been less than 15cm.
It's not often that there is such a big difference; the numbers are usually similar. Still, all snow is, of course, always welcome.
From ski areas, Kagura ski area is reporting about 30cm of fresh and Yuzawa Kogen is reporting 20cm.
It looks like the top lift at Iwappara will not be opening this morning due to the worry about avalanche. They are probably more sensitive about that than usual due to what happened there last year. Other lifts opening as normal over there.
It has still been snowing early morning but has eased off now in Yuzawa while it is still snowing to the north.
In Yuzawa there is even some limited blue sky to see in places as I post this report but that might well be temporary. There is still more snow on the way today and over the next few days. Possibly heavy snow at times over the weekend.
Like I said, rather curious.
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GALA Yuzawa
Official snow depth (reported by ski area):
200cm
Notes:
The Central Area and Northern Area (including the downhill course and connection with Ishiuchi Maruyama) are open
The Southern Area and Ropeway connection with Yuzawa Kogen are not yet open
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Ishiuchi Maruyama
Official snow depth (reported by ski area):
185cm
Notes:
The top connection with the Northern Area of GALA Yuzawa is now open
Daily floodlit night skiing until 28th February and then Fridays and Saturdays until 28th March (until 8:00pm)
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Iwappara
Official snow depth (reported by ski area):
115cm
Notes:
Daily floodlit night skiing until 28th March (until 7:00pm on weekdays and Sundays, until 8:00pm on Saturdays and nights before holidays)
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Joetsu Kokusai
Official snow depth (reported by ski area):
170icm
Notes:
Daily floodlit night skiing until 22nd March (until 9:00pm)
The Atema and Osawa base car parks (and associated runs) are scheduled to be open on weekends only
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Kagura
Official snow depth:
Top: 220cm
Base: 170cm
Notes:
Both Mitsumata and Tashiro Ropeway bases are open
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Kandatsu Snow Resort
Official snow depth:
150cm
Notes:
Floodlit night skiing on Fridays, Saturdays and nights before holidays until 28th March (until 2:00am the next morning)
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Maiko Snow Resort
Official snow depth:
170cm
Notes:
Floodlit night skiing on Saturdays and Sundays until 14th March (until 8:00pm on Saturdays and 7:00pm on Sundays)
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Muikamachi Hakkaisan
Official snow depth:
Top: 250cm
Base: 120cm
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Naeba
Official snow depth:
Top: 180cm
Base: 150cm
Notes:
Daily floodlit night skiing until 21st March (until 8:30pm)
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NASPA Ski Garden
Official snow depth:
170cm
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Yuzawa Kogen
Official snow depth:
Top: 170cm
Base: 70cm
Notes:
The upper Kogen area and base area are both open
The Ropeway connection with the Southern Area of GALA Yuzawa is not yet open
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Yuzawa Nakazato Snow Resort
Official snow depth:
100cm
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Yuzawa Park
Official snow depth:
140cm
Yuzawa Now2025-2026 season |
Data as of Friday 23rd January 2026 Total snowfall at base so far 523cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 25 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 58cm (on 12th and 22nd January) November 2025 snowfall 12cm reported on 1 day December 2025 snowfall 144cm reported on 9 days January 2026 snowfall 367cm reported on 15 days |
All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Yuzawa. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report.