Kandatsu Snow Resort, often known as just Kandatsu, is a ski area located in the Kandatsu neighbourhood of Yuzawa Town in the southern region of Niigata Prefecture.
This ski area is positioned in a natural bowl to the south of the central town area and the northern-facing slopes traditionally receive heavy snowfall, particularly considering the relatively low elevation.
There are three quad lifts (1000m, 1150m, 1250m) and three pair lifts (610m, 610m, 860m) currently operating at the ski area.
Two of the pair lifts are effectively transportation lifts, taking you to the base of the main central course. (At one time, there were three such pair lifts, but in recent years, only one or two are operating. On the official course map, these lifts are collectively known as 'A Lift').
The D quad lift and the courses coming down from it on the left side (as you look from base) are usually only open on weekends and holidays.
Mountain
statistics
Top/peak (m)
1000
Vertical (m)
540
Bottom/base (m)
460
Beginner runs (%)
30
Intermediate runs (%)
40
Advanced runs (%)
30
Longest course (m)
3500
Steepest slope (°)
45
Number of courses
13
Ski lifts
6
Ropeway cable car
0
Gondola
0
Quad lift (4-person)
3
Triple lift (3-person)
0
Pair lift (2-person)
3
Single lift (1-person)
0
Surface lift
0
Information
Normal season dates
Kandatsu Snow Resort usually plans to be open from mid- to late December until mid-April. See below for the actual opening and closing dates in recent seasons.
Normal opening hours
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 D lift and courses coming down from it on the left side are only open on weekends and holidays (and closed on normal weekdays). Spring season is officially from 30th March 2026 until closing, when cheaper tickets are available.
Night skiing
The ski area is open for night skiing from 6:00pm until 2:00am the next morning on Fridays, Saturdays and nights before holidays during the period 29th December 2025 through 28th March 2026.
Snow parks
There are various snow parks at Kandatsu Snow Resort.
Families & children
There is no specific area just for children at Kandatsu.
Lessons
Ski and snowboard lessons are available. There are a number of independent ski and snowboard schools that cover the Yuzawa area and offer lessons in English.
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 (weekdays) Adult: 5,500 yen
Child: 3,500 yen
1 day (Saturdays)
Adult: 6,500 yen
Child: 4,000 yen
1 day (Sundays & holidays)
Adult: 6,000 yen
Child: 3,800 yen
4 hours (weekdays)
Adult: 4,600 yen
Child: 3,000 yen
4 hours (Saturdays)
Adult: 4,800 yen
Child: 3,500 yen
4 hours (Sundays & holidays)
Adult: 4,700 yen
Child: 3,300 yen
Night (6pm-2pm)
Adult: 3,800 yen
Child: 2,400 yen
Night (4 hours)
Adult: 3,800 yen
Child: 2,400 yen
25 hours
Adult: 22,000 yen
Season ticket
Adult: 65,000 yen
Season ticket (weekdays)
Adult: 30,000 yen
The 25 hour ticket is valid in units of 1 hour throughout the season.
The Saturday rate is valid every Saturday in the main season and also on 11th January, 11th February, 22nd February and 20th March 2026.
Ladies Day is on normal weekdays when a one day ticket and either a crepe or entry to the baths is 3,500 yen.
Children's Day is on the third Sunday of the month when elementary school age children can ride the lifts for free.
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: 13th December - 7th April (116 days)
2024-2025 season: 20th December - 13th April (115 days)
2023-2024 season: 19th December - 14th April (118 days)
2022-2023 season: 25th December - 11th April (108 days)
2021-2022 season: 19th December - 24th April (127 days)
Deepest recorded snow depth
2025-2026 season: 265cm on 30th January and 9th February
2024-2025 season: 465cm on 20th-21st February
2023-2024 season: 190cm on 22nd March
2022-2023 season: 290cm on 16th February
2021-2022 season: 435cm on 24th February
2020-2021 season: 275cm on 9th and 19th February
2019-2020 season: 185cm on 11th February
2018-2019 season: 295cm on 1st February
2017-2018 season: 290cm on 19th February
2016-2017 season: 330cm on 14th and 15th February
2015-2016 season: 180cm on 10th-12th February, 1st-3rd March
2014-2015 season: 420cm on 21st February
Resources
Daily weather & snow reporting on SnowJapan
Weather & snowfall (Japan Meteorological Agency) [links open in new window]
SnowJapan Directory: accommodation listings in the region
Hotel Yuzawa Yuzawa Denkiya (about 4.2km)
Hatago Isen (about 4.3km)
Garden Cress (about 5.7km)
Takahan (about 5.7km)
Ishiuchi Vacation Rental (about 7km)
Bears House (about 8.1km)
Belle Vue Nishiura (about 8.7km)
Yuzkyu Resort Premium Lodge (about 9km)
Maruyama Onsen Kojyokan (about 10.3km)
Maiko Kogen Hotel (about 12.6km)
Osawakan (about 16.5km)
The Kinta Naeba (about 21.7km)
Ryugon (about 21.8km)
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 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).
Kandatsu Snow Resort 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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