Echo Valley is located to the north west of Lake Shirakaba in Nagawa town in the central eastern region of Nagano Prefecture. It has been operating since 1981.
There are a number of ski and snowboard resorts scattered around the mountainous area that stretches from Kirigamine highland and Kurumayama to the north, over to Lake Shirakaba and Mt Tateshina a little further to the east and then Mt Yokodake and the Yatsugatake mountain range further south. This region usually gets a relatively large amount of clearer weather conditions and does not usually receive as much snow as other highland areas. The region is part of the Yatsugatake Chushin Kogen Quasi-National Park and is a popular tourist destination throughout the year. The famous Venus Line sightseeing road runs through the area.
Nagano Prefecture is located in the Chubu region of the main island of Honshu. Most of the Northern Alps, Central Alps and Southern Alps are located within Nagano (along with neighbouring prefectures). Nagano has the second highest number of ski and snowboard resorts in all of Japan and they are spread around the whole prefecture. Nagano city and many of the major ski resorts are located in the northern region.
Ski and snowboard lessons are available at Echo Valley.
Equipment Rental
Ski Rental:
Available
Snowboard Rental:
Available
Ski and snowboard equipment rental is available. Ski and snowboard wear rental is also available.
Children's facilities
There is a beginners area that can be used before riding the lifts. On weekends and holidays the 'Slow Area' by the Number 2 triple lift is open.
Park information
Echo Valley Season & Opening Times
Typical season is from Early December until Late March
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
Daytime
Weekends and holidays
Normally open from 8:30am until 4:30pm
Weekdays
Normally open from 9:00am until 4:30pm
'Nighta' (night skiing)
Weekends and holidays
Sometimes
Weekdays
No
Opening information
Echo Valley is open from 9:00am until 4:00pm on weekdays and from 8:30am until 4:30pm during the daytime.
Nighta is from 5:00pm until 9:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays between late December 2017 and mid March 2018.
Echo Valley Lift Ticket Charges
Adults
Child
Elementary School age
Senior
55 years & over
1 Day
3,600 yen
2,000 yen
3,200 yen
1 Day (weekdays)
3,000 yen
2,000 yen
2,600 yen
1.5 Days
4,500 yen
3,000 yen
4,300 yen
2 Days
6,000 yen
3,700 yen
5,000 yen
Half Day
2,500 yen
2,000 yen
2,500 yen
Nighta additional fee
500 yen
300 yen
500 yen
Season Ticket
36,000 yen
25,000 yen
33,000 yen
The 1 Day and 2 Day tickets are valid from opening until daytime closing (4:00pm on weekdays and 4:30pm on weekends and holidays).
Nighta is on Fridays and Saturdays from late December 2017 until mid March 2018.
Kodomo-no-hi (Children's Day) is on the third Sunday of the month. On those days, children of elementary school age and under can ride the lifts for free.
Senior Day is every Tuesday. On those days a 1 day ticket for seniors is half price (1,500 yen).
Ladies Day is every Thursday (except 29th December 2016). On those days a 1 day ticket for ladies is half price (2,000 yen).
Mens Day is every Friday (except 23rd and 30th December 2016). On those days men buying a 1 day lift ticket get an 800 yen lunch voucher.
Getting to Echo Valley
By public transport
Train
41.3km from Sakudaira Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line
24.6km from Chino Station on the Chuo Honsen line
Information
Echo Valley is under 25km from Chino Station on the Chuo Honsen line.
Sakudaira Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line is about 41km from Echo Valley.
26.8km from the Suwa IC on the Chuo Expressway
29.8km from the Suwa Minami IC on the Chuo Expressway
39.4km from the Saku Minami IC on the Chubu Odan Expressway
Nearest national route: Route 152 (2.3km away)
Direction
Echo Valley is located to the north west of Shirakaba lake and just over 2km off Route 152, otherwise known as Daimon Highway.
From the Suwa IC exit on the Chuo Expressway, turn right onto Route 20 and just over 1.3km later turn left onto Route 152. Follow this road up to and past Lake Shirakaba and follow the signs to the resort which is signposted off Route 152 to the north of the lake.
As the 2018-2019 winter season approaches, we will gradually be updating the information for every ski resort in Japan.
Many ski resorts in Japan do not update their own information until the autumn months and so our process of updating information will be ongoing until November.
Resorts usually open and close around the same time each season - if the 2017-2018 planned season dates are still displayed on this page, they can be used as a good indication of the season length.
For more details and explanations about the information presented on this page,
please read this.
It is very important to us that the information presented on SnowJapan is correct and up-to-date. Checks and updates are made throughout the year. If you find information that you feel needs checking and updating, please let us know by contacting us. We appreciate your support.
Ropeways
Gondolas
Quad lifts
Triple lifts
Pair lifts
Single lifts
Other
