Muica Snow Resort is a ski area located in the western region of Minamiuonuma City in the southern region of Niigata Prefecture.
This ski area offers generally fairly gentle slopes. The top Off-Piste Field area is left ungroomed and called a 'hike up zone' (no lift operates in that area). There is also a 'self-responsibility' course that is outside the management of the ski area. An application is required and an armband worn when using the area.
On weekdays, local schools often hold lessons at Muica Snow Resort.
This ski area has been known by a variety of names, including Minami and more recently Muikamachi Ski Resort. It has been called Muica Snow Resort since 2016.
Mountain
statistics
Top/peak (m)
748
Vertical (m)
400
Bottom/base (m)
348
Beginner runs (%)
25
Intermediate runs (%)
40
Advanced runs (%)
35
Longest course (m)
2600
Steepest slope (°)
33
Number of courses
12
Ski lifts
4
Ropeway cable car
0
Gondola
0
Quad lift (4-person)
1
Triple lift (3-person)
0
Pair lift (2-person)
3
Single lift (1-person)
0
Surface lift
0
Information
Normal season dates
Cupid Valley usually plans to be open from late December until late March. See below for the actual opening and closing dates in recent seasons.
Normal opening times
Muica Snow Resort is normally open from 8:30am until 4:00pm every day.
Night skiing
There is no night skiing at this area.
Snow Park
The Snow Park Rookie is located by the Falcon course and suitable for beginners. There is also a Smile Cross course area next to the Bluebird Course (by the top of the Number 1 quad lift) and some mogul courses.
Families & children
The Smile Kids Park area is located by the base of the ski area. Entry is free and the snow escalator costs 1,000 yen for 1 day. There is also a snow tubing course.
Lessons
Ski and snowboard lessons are available at Muica Snow Resort.
Rental
Ski and snowboard equipment & wear rental is available.
Lift ticket prices
2025-2026 season
Information for the upcoming 2026-2027 season will be added by December 2026
1 day
Adult: 5,500 yen
Child: 2,800 yen
4 hours
Adult: 4,600 yen
Child: 2,200 yen
1 lift coupon
All ages: 600 yen
5 lift coupons
Adult: 3,000 yen
Child: 3,000 yen
Snow escalator (1 day)
Adult: 1,000 yen
Child: 1,000 yen
Season ticket
Adult: 40,000 yen
Child: 16,000 yen
There is no charge for children under 6 years of age accompanied by an adult.
The season ticket also includes various benefits and discounts including access to the onsen in the base hotel and discounted group lift tickets.
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: 27th December - 29th March (93 days)
2024-2025 season: 21st December - 31st March (101 days)
2023-2024 season: 23rd December - 24th March (93 days)
2022-2023 season: 24th December - 29th March (96 days)
2021-2022 season: 24th December - 27th March (94 days)
Deepest recorded snow depth
2025-2026 season: 330cm on 31st January
2024-2025 season: 460cm on 25th February
2023-2024 season: 160cm on 28th-29th January
2022-2023 season: 260cm on 31st January - 3rd February
2021-2022 season: 360cm on 7th-8th February
2020-2021 season: 330cm on 9th-10th January
2019-2020 season: 210cm on 10th-12th February
2018-2019 season: 300cm on 27th January - 5th February
2017-2018 season: 320cm on 20th February
2016-2017 season: 300cm on 13th-16thFebruary
2015-2016 season: 170cm on 11th-13th February
2014-2015 season: 340cm on 15th-21st February
Resources
More information on Muica Snow Resort
Official website [link opens in new window]
Daily weather & snow reporting on SnowJapan
Weather & snowfall (Japan Meteorological Agency) [links open in new window]
SnowJapan Directory: accommodation listings in the region
Ryugon (about 5.1km)
Osawakan (about 12.5km)
Ishiuchi Vacation Rental (about 15.6km)
Maruyama Onsen Kojyokan (about 15.7km)
Maiko Kogen Hotel (about 16.1km)
Belle Vue Nishiura (about 16.4km)
Takahan (about 18.5km)
Hatago Isen (about 19.2km)
Bears House (about 19.3km)
Hotel Yuzawa Yuzawa Denkiya (about 24km)
Garden Cress (about 25.6km)
Yuzkyu Resort Premium Lodge (about 27.5km)
The Kinta Naeba (about 41km)
SnowJapan Directory: ski school listing in the region
Introduction to the region
Niigata Prefecture is located in the Chubu region of the main island of Honshu, and it is commonly associated with the Hokuriku subregion. The long Niigata coastline faces the Sea of Japan, and the prefecture borders Yamagata Prefecture, Fukushima Prefecture, Gunma Prefecture, Nagano Prefecture, and Toyama Prefecture.
Niigata played a significant role in the history of skiing in Japan. After Hokkaido and Nagano Prefecture, it is currently home to the third-most ski areas in Japan.
The ski areas of Niigata are scattered across the mountainous regions of the prefecture, and there is even one on Sado Island. The majority can be found in Yuzawa Town & Minamiuonuma City in the Chuetsu region and Myoko City in the Joetsu region.
Yuzawa Town and neighbouring Minamiuonuma City are currently home to 18 individual ski areas, including some of the most well-known in Japan. With easy and quick access by train and road and a wide choice in a relatively compact area, this region is one of Japan's most popular ski destinations. The region usually receives heavy, consistent snowfall each winter. Yuzawa is also known for its hot springs and as the inspiration for the Nobel Prize-winning novel Yukiguni (Snow Country).
Muica Snow Resort is one of 7 ski areas currently operating in Minamiuonuma City.
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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