Mt.T by Hoshino Resorts, or perhaps just Mt.T, is the new name of this ski well-known ski area in Minakami Town in northern Gunma Prefecture.
Until late 2024 (and for most of its long existence), this ski area was known as Tanigawadake Tenjindaira (or just Tenjindaira or Tenjin).
The 2,400m Ropeway takes people from the car park to the ski area's base at an elevation of 1319m in about 15 minutes. From there, there are four pair lifts (428m, 256m, 405m and 346m).
The ski area itself is fairly small and compact. However, it is most well-known for backcountry hiking and riding beyond the main ski area courses, and various local outdoor companies offer related services. The peak of Mt Tanigawa is about 2.5km from the ski area. On a clear day, the mountain scenery from this ski area and beyond is spectacular. (The Ropeway operates throughout the year for sightseeing and is particularly popular in the peak autumn foliage season).
There is a long downhill course going back down to the lower ropeway station, but that is not always open. (Always best to check about that on any given day).
Mountain
statistics
Top/peak (m)
1500
Vertical (m)
750
Bottom/base (m)
750
Beginner runs (%)
30
Intermediate runs (%)
40
Advanced runs (%)
30
Longest course (m)
4000
Steepest slope (°)
34
Number of courses
10
Ski lifts
5
Ropeway cable car
1
Gondola
0
Quad lift (4-person)
0
Triple lift (3-person)
0
Pair lift (2-person)
4
Single lift (1-person)
0
Surface lift
0
Information
Normal season dates
This ski area usually plans to be open from mid- to late December until early April. See below for the actual opening and closing dates in recent seasons.
Normal opening times
Mt.T is normally open from 8:30am until 4:00pm. The lifts close at 3:00pm.
Night skiing
There is no night skiing at this ski area.
Backcountry
This ski area is most well-known for backcountry hiking and riding, and various outdoor companies in Minakami Town offer related services. The peak of Mt Tanigawa is about 2.5km from the ski area boundary.
The downhill course back to the bottom ropeway station is also left ungroomed, though it is not always open.
Lessons
Various local ski schools offer lessons and tours at Mt.T.
Rental
Ski, snowboard equipment, snow shoe & wear rental is available.
Lift ticket prices
2025-2026 season
Information for the upcoming 2026-2027 season will be added by December 2026
Ultimate 1 day
Adult: 13,000 yen
PM ticket
Adult: 6,000 yen
A unique pricing plan for this ski area; and somewhat complicated sounding.
There were 150 season tickets on sale, and they sold out quickly.
The ski area is offering 150 'Ultimate 1 Day' passes between 10th January 2025 and 28th February 2026. But the number is limited to 150 and reservations are required.
Between 20th December and 9th January and also between 1st and 9th March, a '1 Day Pass' is available for 9,000 yen.
Definitely check with the ski area before going!
Historical snow depth data
The following ski season and official snow depth data have been independently compiled by SnowJapan for publication on this website. Where available, the data is updated annually after each ski season.
First and last dates of recent seasons
2025-2026 season: 20th December - 5th April (107 days)
2024-2025 season: 21st December - 6th April (107 days)
2023-2024 season: 23rd December - 7th April (107 days)
2022-2023 season: 24th December - 16th April (114 days)
2021-2022 season: 1st December - 10th April (131 days)
Deepest recorded snow depth
2025-2026 season: 330cm on 31st January
2024-2025 season: 652cm on 21st February
2023-2024 season: 290cm on 22nd March
2022-2023 season: 340cm on 27th February
2021-2022 season: 690cm on 24th February
2020-2021 season: 370cm on 9th-10th February
2019-2020 season: 250cm on 6th-7th March
2018-2019 season: 390cm on 3rd April
2017-2018 season: 350cm on 18th-19th February
2016-2017 season: 500cm on 29th March
2015-2016 season: 210cm on 10th-11th February
2014-2015 season: 500cm on 15th February
Resources
Weather & snowfall (Japan Meteorological Agency) [open in new window]
SnowJapan Directory: accommodation listings in the region
Tenjin Lodge Minakami (about 0.9km)
Hoshi Onsen Chojukan (about 41km)
Introduction to the region
Gunma Prefecture is located in the northwestern part of the Kanto region on the main island of Honshu. It is one of eight landlocked prefectures in Japan. Gunma is surrounded by Niigata Prefecture and Fukushima Prefecture to the north, Nagano Prefecture to the west, Tochigi Prefecture to the east, and Saitama Prefecture to the south.
The ski areas of Gunma are largely found in the northern region (Minakami Town, Kawaba Village and Katashina Village) and the western region (Kusatsu Town and Tsumagoi Village).
Minakami Town is the most northerly town in Gunma, with Yuzawa Town in Niigata Prefecture to the north, separated by the Tanigawa mountain range. Minakami is a popular year-round destination offering a wide range of outdoor sports, activities and onsen hot springs.
Mt.T by Hoshino Resorts i is one of 7 ski areas currently operating in Minakami Town.
About the information on this page
SnowJapan independently researches, checks and updates the information on this page at least once each year, in the lead-up to every ski season. We also update it whenever we become aware of other changes. The information published on SnowJapan is based on independent research using official Japanese-language sources and is not supplied by ski areas. If you are planning to visit a ski area, we recommend checking the official ski area website for the latest operational information. We take great care to keep the information on SnowJapan accurate and up to date. However, SnowJapan accepts no responsibility for decisions made based on information published on this website.
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