Kandatsu Snow Resort (the new name for 2019-2020 – see below) is a popular resort located in the Kandatsu area of Yuzawa Town in Niigata Prefecture. The resort is positioned in a natural bowl area to the south of the central town area and often enjoys heavy snowfall and good conditions, particularly considering the relatively low elevation. The entrance is just over 1km from the Yuzawa IC exit of the Kanetsu Expressway and there are also regular shuttle buses from Echigo Yuzawa Station to the resort. It is particularly popular for day-trips and long nighta operations, when it is open until 2:00am.
Kandatsu Snow Resort first opened in 1986 and was originally known as ‘Kandatsu Kogen’. Over the years this resort has had a bunch of different names and ownership changes, as well as a bit of drama. In 2004 it was known as ‘Pine Ridge Resorts Kandatsu’ but reverted back to being just Kandatsu Kogen again from 2009 (though the yellow logo used to have the plural 'Kandatsu Kogen Ski Resorts' in English on it - which was a bit confusing). There was drama in 2013 when it was announced that it would be closed for the whole of the 2013-2014 season, which was a bit of a shock to everyone. Things have seemed to be smoother since then and from late 2019 it is once again re-branding – this time to the shiny new name ‘Kandatsu Snow Resort’. It's not all just about branding though... for the 2019-2020 season there is a new tree run course besides the existing 'Hercules' course and the base building has had various renovations.
Yuzawa town and neighbouring Minamiuonuma city - located around 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 Kandatsu 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
The main 'Kids Park' is in front of the restaurant building at the base of the main resort area. There is also an area for playing in the snow near the base car parks.
Park information
The are a few park areas at Kandatsu Kogen - 'Sclover Park', 'Hike Up Area' for beginners, 'SPICA' and 'Banked Slalom'.
Kandatsu Snow Resort Season & Opening Times
Typical season is from Mid December until Mid April
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
Daytime
Weekends and holidays
Normally open from 7:00am until 4:30pm
Weekdays
Normally open from 8:00am until 4:30pm
'Nighta' (night skiing)
Weekends and holidays
Sometimes
Weekdays
No
Opening information
Kandatsu Snow Resort is normally open from 8:00am until 4:30pm on weekdays and from 7:00am until 4:30pm on weekends and holidays.
The resort is open for nighta from 6:00pm until 2:00am the next morning on Saturdays and nights before holidays during the period 27th December 2019 through 4th April 2020.
'Spring season' opening is from 8:00am until 4:00pm from 30th March 2020.
Kandatsu Snow Resort Lift Ticket Charges
Adults
Child
Child (6-12 years)
Senior
Senior (over 55 years)
1 Day (open-4:30pm)
4,700 yen
3,400 yen
4,200 yen
2 Days (no nighta)
8,300 yen
5,700 yen
7,300 yen
PM & Nighta (12pm-2am)
6,000 yen
4,500 yen
5,000 yen
Nighta (6pm-2am)
3,500 yen
2,600 yen
3,000 yen
4 Hours
3,900 yen
2,800 yen
3,500 yen
Nighta 4 Hours
2,600 yen
2,000 yen
2,200 yen
1 Lift Coupon
500 yen
500 yen
500 yen
Season (all)
38,000 yen
28,000 yen
36,000 yen
Season (weekdays only)
16,000 yen
16,000 yen
16,000 yen
Season (nighta only)
15,000 yen
11,000 yen
13,000 yen
2019-2020 Season Lift Tickets
Season tickets include various extra stuff - for example, cheaper tickets to enter onsen hot springs and lift tickets at other ski resorts, discounts at a local gasoline stand.
Getting to Kandatsu Snow Resort
By public transport
Train
4.1km from Echigo Yuzawa Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen line
4.1km from Echigo Yuzawa Station on the Joetsu Line
4.1km from Echigo Yuzawa Station on the Hokuhoku Line
Information
Kandatsu Snow Resort is just over 4km from Echigo Yuzawa Station which is serviced by the local Joetsu line and the Joetsu Shinkansen bullet train line. Connections to the Hokuhoku line are also available at Echigo Yuzawa Station.
A regular free shuttle bus service to Kandatsu Snow Resort is available from the West Exit of Echigo Yuzawa Station. The journey takes about 7 minutes.
A taxi journey costs around 1,500 yen.
By Car
2.5km from the Yuzawa IC on the Kanetsu Expressway
11.4km from the Shiozawa Ishiuchi IC on the Kanetsu Expressway
Nearest national route: Route 17 (1.1km away)
Direction
From Yuzawa IC turn left onto Route 17, through some traffic lights and go past the 7-11 convenience store on the left hand side. The approach road to Kandatsu Kogen resort is signposted soon after on the left hand side (and just 1.3km from the IC exit). The car park and resort base is a about another 1km or so along the narrow approach road.
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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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