Muikamachi Hakkaisan is a ski area located on the western slopes of Mt Hakkai, in the northern region of Minamiuonuma City in the southern region of Niigata Prefecture.
This ski area features a selection of long, challenging mogul courses and some smoother intermediate cruising style courses.
Beginners prefer to stay near the base, though there is also a more accessible winding course down from the peak for those wanting to enjoy the views from the top and avoid the steeper top areas.
The 81-person 2,217m Ropeway is the only way to get to the top of the ski area. Still, it regularly makes the journey and it moves very quickly! There are also three pair lifts (652m, 906m and 969m) with one up in the top area.
In autumn, the Ropeway is busy with people enjoying the beautiful autumn colours and views of nearby Mt Hakkai.
Mountain
statistics
Top/peak (m)
1147
Vertical (m)
792
Bottom/base (m)
355
Beginner runs (%)
30
Intermediate runs (%)
40
Advanced runs (%)
30
Longest course (m)
5500
Steepest slope (°)
38
Number of courses
15
Ski lifts
4
Ropeway cable car
1
Gondola
0
Quad lift (4-person)
0
Triple lift (3-person)
0
Pair lift (2-person)
3
Single lift (1-person)
0
Surface lift
0
Information
Normal season dates
Muikamachi Hakkaisan 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
Muikamachi Hakkaisan is normally open from 8:30am until 4:00pm. The last Ropeway is at 3:30pm.
Night skiing
There is no night skiing at Muikamachi Hakkaisan.
Snow Park
There is no snow park, but usually a long banked wave course area on the lower part of the ski area.
Families & children
There is a Chibbiko 'kids trail' area for young children by the base area.
Lessons
Ski and snowboard lessons are available at Muikamachi Hakkaisan.
Rental
Ski and snowboard equipment & wear rental is available at the Base Camp building.
Lift ticket prices
2025-2026 season
Information for the upcoming 2026-2027 season will be added by December 2026
1 day
Adult: 6,000 yen
Morning
Adult: 5,300 yen
Afternoon
Adult: 5,000 yen
Ropeway (1-way)
Adult: 2,000 yen
Ropeway (return)
Adult: 3,000 yen
Children up to elementary school age can ride the lifts for free (though a ticket is required).
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 - 29th March (100 days)
2024-2025 season: 21st December - 30th March (100 days)
2023-2024 season: 23rd December - 31st March (100 days)
2022-2023 season: 24th December - 26th March (93 days)
2021-2022 season: 25th December - 21st March (87 days)
Deepest recorded snow depth
2025-2026 season: 370cm on 27th January and 31st January - 2nd February
2024-2025 season: 530cm on 11th-14th February
2023-2024 season: 280cm on 28th January
2022-2023 season: 280cm on 29th January - 18th February
2021-2022 season: 400cm on 24th-28th February
2020-2021 season: 350cm on 3rd March
2019-2020 season: 220cm on 9th-13th February
2018-2019 season: 320cm on 29th January - 21st February
2017-2018 season: 370cm on 18th-28th February
2016-2017 season: 380cm on 13th-17th, 19th-20th February
2015-2016 season: 180cm on 12th-14th, 16th-21st February, 26th February - 3rd March
2014-2015 season: 550cm on 15th February
Resources
More information
Ski area spotlight (Minamiuonuma City)
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 12.7km)
Osawakan (about 23km)
Maruyama Onsen Kojyokan (about 24km)
Belle Vue Nishiura (about 24.8km)
Maiko Kogen Hotel (about 24.8km)
Bears House (about 27.1km)
Ishiuchi Vacation Rental (about 29km)
Takahan (about 31.1km)
Hatago Isen (about 32.3km)
Hotel Yuzawa Yuzawa Denkiya (about 34km)
Garden Cress (about 35.4km)
Yuzkyu Resort Premium Lodge (about 39km)
The Kinta Naeba (about 52.2km)
SnowJapan Directory: ski school listing in the region This is a regional listing; the ski school may not offer lessons at this particular ski area. Please check directly with the ski school.
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).
Muikamachi Hakkaisan 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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