Yuzawa Now: Saturday 31st January 2026
- Jan 31
- 4 min read
Updated: 10 hours ago
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Yuzawa & Minamiuonuma region of Niigata
New snowfall at base 29cm
Snowfall at base this seas 751cm
Posted on Saturday 31st January 2026 This is an archived report. The latest Yuzawa Now report can be found here.
Good morning from Yuzawa.
It is still snowing! A bit windy too with the snow being blown around when I was out just earlier. Webcams show a rather mid-winter picture, too.
Up at our measuring point in Minamiuonuma, just north of Yuzawa, there has been well over 50cm more snow since yesterday. As has been the dominant pattern this season, that is more than we have actually received in Yuzawa (where the measurement for this report comes from).
Todays Yuzawa snowfall number takes the observed snowfall for January 2026 to 595cm.
Mad.
And such a contrast with what we got in December!
Tashiro Area of Kagura is closed this morning due to the wind, but the Mitsumata Ropeway base going up to Kagura is going to be open (up to Kagura Number 1 pair lift).
The official snow depth at Maiko Snow Resort is now up to 330cm. Kagura and Ishiuchi at both at 310cm.
Yuzawa Kogen and GALA Yuzawa are both reporting a snow depth of 300cm. Southern Area of GALA opening coming soon? (That is based on no official information whatsoever... more a hope!)
We're now probably at the point where ski areas actually hope for the snow to stop, with just regular manageable installments of fresh snow from now onwards. Too much snow puts lots of people off; not to mention transportation issues.
When is it going to stop?
Well, perhaps there'll be less snow today, but there is some more expected tomorrow. Looking at various forecasts, it does look like we are probably past the peak of this particular significant delivery of snow. We might even get some sunshine days by mid-week.
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GALA Yuzawa
Official snow depth (reported by ski area):
260cm
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):
310cm
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):
200cm
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):
270cm
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: 310cm
Base: 280cm
Notes:
Only the Mitsumata Area is open today
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Kandatsu Snow Resort
Official snow depth:
265cm
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:
330cm
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: 350cm
Base: 230cm
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Naeba
Official snow depth:
Top: 230cm
Base: 190cm
Notes:
Daily floodlit night skiing until 21st March (until 8:30pm)
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NASPA Ski Garden
Official snow depth:
280cm
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Yuzawa Kogen
Official snow depth:
Top: 300cm
Base: 160cm
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:
200cm
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Yuzawa Park
Official snow depth:
240cm
Yuzawa Now2025-2026 season |
Data as of Saturday 31st January 2026 Total snowfall at base so far 751cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 33 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 68cm (on 25th January) November 2025 snowfall 12cm reported on 1 day December 2025 snowfall 144cm reported on 9 days January 2026 snowfall 595cm reported on 23 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.