Maiko Snow Resort is located in Minamiuonuma city, close to the Shiozawa Ishiuchi IC exit on the Kanetsu Expressway and about ten minutes from the central area of Yuzawa town. The resort has two main bases (Maiko and Nagamine) and three main areas (Maiko, Nagamine and Okusoechi). Part of what is now the Maiko area originally opened in 1959 and the resort has changed names a number of times over the years. The Maiko area is home to gentler slopes, snow parks and Maiko Kogen Hotel. The Nagamine area features the main Day Centre and Maiko Gondola which goes up to the popular slopes of the Okusoechi bowl area of the resort. The best snow conditions can usually be found at Okusoechi as well as some fine mountainous scenery.
For the 2019-2020 season, Maiko area opening up two official tree run courses - one on either side of the top Okusoechi course. Registration will be required to enter the areas.
Minamiuonuma city and neighbouring Yuzawa town - located just over 200km to the north north-west of the Tokyo region in Niigata Prefecture - are together home to over 20 individual ski and snowboard resorts, including some of the most well-known ski resorts in Japan. With easy and quick access by both train and road and a wide choice in a relatively compact area, this region is one of the most popular ski destinations in Japan. The region usually enjoys very heavy and consistent snowfall each winter and with Yuzawa town also being the inspiration and setting of the famous Nobel prize-winning novel Yukiguni (Snow Country), it can certainly lay claim to being the original 'Snow Country'.
Niigata Prefecture is located in the central region of Honshu to the north of Tokyo and has a 250km long coastline facing the Sea of Japan. Convenient transportation links make Niigata very easy to get to from Tokyo and other surrounding regions. Most of the larger ski and snowboard resorts in Niigata Prefecture are concentrated in the southern regions around Yuzawa town, Minamiuonuma city and Myoko city.
Ski and snowboard lessons are available at Maiko Snow Resort. There are a number of independent ski and snowboard schools that cover the Yuzawa area and offer lessons in English - please check the Lessons in English section for current listings on SnowJapan.
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 are two 'Smile Kids Parks' at Maiko Snow Resort - one by the Day Ski Centre and the other in the Maiko Area. Each are 800 yen to enter.
'Maiko Snow Land' is a 400m sledging course next to the Maiko Family lift in the Maiko Area. Entry is free and the area is open 10:00am-4:00pm on Saturdays and 10:00am-3:00pm on Sundays and holidays. Sledge rental is available.
Banana Boat rides and Snow Mobile Experience rides are also available in the Maiko Area.
There is a 'Kids Room' (child car) on the 2nd Floor of the gondola base building. Charges are 1,200 yen per hour, available for children ages 2-6.
Park information
There are few snow park areas at Maiko Snow Resort including the Maiko Snow Park 'Garden', 'Bank Yard' and the 'Electric Step Up Park' - located in the Maiko Area of the resort. There is also an ungroomed 'Peak Performance Off-Piste Zone' in the Nagamine Area, which opens depending on snow conditions. For the 2019-2020 season there will be two new official tree run courses by the top course in the Okusoechi area.
Maiko Snow Resort Season & Opening Times
Typical season is from Mid December until Early April
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
Daytime
Weekends and holidays
Normally open from 8:00am until 5:00pm
Weekdays
Normally open from 8:30am until 5:00pm
'Nighta' (night skiing)
Weekends and holidays
Yes
Weekdays
Yes
Opening information
Maiko Snow Resort is normally open from 8:30am until 5:00pm on weekdays and from 8:00am until 5:00pm on weekends during the daytime.
Nighta is scheduled for from 4:00pm until 8:00pm in part of the Maiko Area during the main season, from Saturday 28th December 2019 until Saturday 14th March 2020.
Maiko Snow Resort Lift Ticket Charges
Adults
Child
Elementary School age
Older Child
High School age
Senior
55 years & over
1 Day
5,000 yen
3,000 yen
4,500 yen
4,500 yen
2 Days
8,700 yen
5,400 yen
7,800 yen
7,800 yen
3 Days
12,200 yen
7,600 yen
10,900 yen
10,900 yen
4 Days
15,500 yen
9,600 yen
13,800 yen
13,800 yen
5 Days
18,600 yen
11,400 yen
16,500 yen
16,500 yen
6 Days
21,500 yen
13,000 yen
19,000 yen
19,000 yen
7 Days
24,200 yen
14,400 yen
21,300 yen
21,300 yen
5 Hours
4,500 yen
2,700 yen
4,000 yen
4,000 yen
Nighta
1,000 yen
500 yen
800 yen
800 yen
Sanroku
2,400 yen
2,400 yen
2,400 yen
2,400 yen
1 Lift Coupon
500 yen
500 yen
500 yen
500 yen
Gondola (1 time)
1,200 yen
700 yen
900 yen
900 yen
The 5 Hour ticket is valid for 5 hours from the time of purchase.
The full day lift ticket passes include access to nighta.
The 'Sanroku Ticket' is valid on the Number 1, Number 2 and Family ski lifts in the Maiko Area of the resort for the whole day.
Children's Day: Third Sunday of the month - 1 day pass for elementary school children is free
Women's Day: Every Wednesday (except 1st January 2020) - 1 day pass for men is 3,800 yen (other extras included)
Men's Day: Every Thursday (except 2nd January) - 1 day pass for men is 3,800 yen
Getting to Maiko Snow Resort
By public transport
Train
8.8km from Echigo Yuzawa Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen line
2.7km from Ishiuchi Station on the Joetsu Line
8.8km from Echigo Yuzawa Station on the Hokuhoku Line
Information
Maiko Snow Resort is less than 3km from the small local Ishiuchi Station. However, most people arriving by train use the free shuttle bus from the East Exit of Echigo Yuzawa Station which is just under 9km from Maiko Snow Resort.
Echigo Yuzawa Station is serviced by the local Joetsu line and the Joetsu Shinkansen bullet train line and connections to the Hokuhoku line are also available.
A free shuttle bus is available from the East Exit of Echigo Yuzawa Station to Maiko Snow Resort. The journey takes about 30 minutes.
A taxi journey from Echigo Yuzawa Station to the Maiko Area costs around 2,900 yen and to the Day Centre area costs around 3,400 yen.
By Car
0.6km from the Shiozawa Ishiuchi IC on the Kanetsu Expressway
9.6km from the Yuzawa IC on the Kanetsu Expressway
13km from the Muikamachi IC on the Kanetsu Expressway
Nearest national route: Route 17 (1.7km away)
Nearest prefecture road: Prefecture Road 28
Direction
There are two bases at Maiko Snow Resort.
The Maiko Area is less than 1km from the Shiozawa Ishiuchi IC exit of the Kanetsu Expressway. At the IC exit, go straight ahead and follow the road up to the main parking area on the right hand side.
The Nagamine Area is where the main Day Centre and Gondola is located and for many this is considered the main base of Maiko. At the Shiozawa Ishiuchi IC exit traffic lights, turn left and after just over 1km follow the signs by turning right to head up to the resort car park.
If you are interested in ski areas from Japan's past, please check the new SnowJapanHistory
2020-2021 season ski area information on SnowJapan will be checked & updated through November. In the meantime, unless otherwise noted, information is from the 2019-2020 season.
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Ropeways
Gondolas
Quad lifts
Triple lifts
Pair lifts
Single lifts
Other
