GALA YUZAWA MOUNTAIN FIELD, often known as GALA Yuzawa or just GALA, is a ski area located close to the central town area of Yuzawa Town in the southern region of Niigata Prefecture.
This ski area was originally known as GALA Yuzawa, but in recent years has been known as GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort. The name changed to the current name in summer 2026, partly to reflect increased operations outside of the winter season.
GALA YUZAWA MOUNTAIN FIELD is the only ski area with its own Shinkansen (bullet) train station. The station and gondola lift to the ski slopes (along with various other facilities) are within the same building. Such convenience makes it extremely popular for day trips from Tokyo. In recent years, the ski area has also become very popular with skiers and snowboarders visiting from overseas.
There are two main areas at GALA - the Central Area and Northern Area. The Falcon downhill course going down to the base begins in the Northern Area. This popular course is quite narrow and steep in places, and beginners should avoid it.
At a relatively high altitude, the ski area enjoys a long season and generally some of the best snow conditions in the region. The Northern Area features an ungroomed course (Super Swan).
Mountain
statistics
Top/peak (m)
1181
Vertical (m)
823
Bottom/base (m)
358
Beginner runs (%)
35
Intermediate runs (%)
45
Advanced runs (%)
20
Longest course (m)
4120
Steepest slope (°)
33
Number of courses
16
Ski lifts
11
Ropeway cable car
1
Gondola
1
Quad lift (4-person)
3
Triple lift (3-person)
2
Pair lift (2-person)
4
Single lift (1-person)
0
Surface lift
0
Information
Normal season dates
GALA YUZAWA MOUNTAIN FIELD usually plans to be open from mid- to late December until early May. See below for the actual opening and closing dates in recent seasons.
Sightseeing early opening The gondola and sightseeing lift will be open from Saturday 12th December until Friday 18th December. Note that even if there is enough snow, skiing and snowboarding will not be allowed during this period. The planned first day of the ski season is Saturday 19th December 2026.
Normal opening times
The town-level Ski Center 'Cowabunga' (home to the Shinkansen Station and Gondola base) is normally open from 7:00am (until 7:15pm) in the main season, and from 7:30am during the spring season.
The gondola opens at 8:00am with other lifts opening after that. The Phaeton pair lift usually opens at 8:10am and the Sociable quad lift usually opens at 8:30am. Other areas open at 9:00am and 9:30am. The trails are usually open until 4:30pm in the main season and until 4:00pm in the spring season.
Night skiing
There was night skiing on a few dates during the 2025-2026 season. Unconfirmed for the 2026-2027 season but if there are any planned this will be updated.
Families & children
The Snow Enjoyment Park area 'Yuki Asobi Park' is next to the Barouche quad lift at base of the ski runs in the Central Area. It is free to use (though you need to get up there via the Gondola, which is charged). Usually open from 8:30am until 4:00pm during the main season and until 3:00pm during the spring season.
Observation decks
There are two observation decks at the ski area. The 'Bell of Love Observatory' is near the top of the Barouche quad lift. Visitors who are not skiing or snowboarding can buy a special ticket to use the gondola and Barouche lift to get to the observatory for excellent views of Yuzawa and the surrounding mountains. The 'Yuki no Kane Observatory' is at the top of the Chariot pair lift in the Northern Area.
Lessons
Ski and snowboard lessons are available at this ski area, with lessons in English and Chinese available directly at the ski area.
Rental
A wide variety of services are available in the base Ski Center 'Cowabunga', including ski and snowboard equipment and wear rental.
Restaurants
There are a variety of places to eat in both in the base Shinkansen & gondola station (Ski Center 'Cowabunga') and in the top gondola station (Rest House 'Cheers'). There is also a restaurant in the Northern Area.
Lift ticket prices
2026-2027 season (The main lift ticket information below may not include all available ticket options)
1 day (Gondola + lifts)
Adult: 8,000 yen
Child: 4,000 yen
1 day (Gondola + lifts) Web price
Adult: 7,500 yen
Child: 3,500 yen
4 hours (Gondola + lifts)
Adult: 7,500 yen
Child: 3,500 yen
4 hours (Gondola + lifts) Web price
Adult: 7,000 yen
Child: 3,000 yen
1 day (Gondola & Barouche quad)
Adult: 6,500 yen
Child: 3,500 yen
1 day (Gondola & Barouche quad) Web price
Adult: 5,500 yen
Child: 3,000 yen
Pre-school children can ride the lifts for free (up to 2 children with one adult).
The gondola and quad lift ticket is valid for unlimited rides on the gondola during the valid day plus one return ride on the Barouche quad lift.
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 - 17th April (119 days)
2024-2025 season: 13th December - 5th May (144 days)
2023-2024 season: 20th December - 21st April (124 days)
2022-2023 season: 20th December - 23rd April (125 days)
2021-2022 season: 19th December - 5th May (138 days)
Deepest recorded snow depth
2025-2026 season: 300cm on 31st January - 2nd February, 4th-5th and 11th February
2024-2025 season: 480cm on 22nd February
2023-2024 season: 210cm on 15th March and 24th March
2022-2023 season: 310cm on 22nd February
2021-2022 season: 480cm on 25th and 27th February
2020-2021 season: 380cm on 20th and 26th February
2019-2020 season: 250cm on 10th February
2018-2019 season: 380cm on 2nd February
2017-2018 season: 370cm on 22nd February
2016-2017 season: 410cm on 14th, 16th and 17th February
2015-2016 season: 210cm on 12th and 13th February
2014-2015 season: 490cm on 16th, 21st and 22nd February
Resources
More information on GALA YUZAWA MOUNTAIN FIELD
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
Takahan (about 0.6km)
Hatago Isen (about 2km)
Ishiuchi Vacation Rental (about 1.8km)
Bears House (about 2.8km)
Belle Vue Nishiura (about 3.5km)
Maruyama Onsen Kojyokan (about 5.1km)
Hotel Yuzawa Yuzawa Denkiya (about 5.8km)
Garden Cress (about 7.8km)
Maiko Kogen Hotel (about 7.4km)
Yuzkyu Resort Premium Lodge (about 11km)
Osawakan (about 11km)
Ryugon (about 16.8km)
The Kinta Naeba (about 23.5km)
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 and 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).
GALA Yuzawa is one of 11 ski areas currently operating in Yuzawa 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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