Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort is a vast ski resort located in Niigata Prefecture.

With a total area of 1,000 m2 (380 ha), it is the largest single ski resort in Japan.

A particular highlight is the steep slopes with a maximum gradient of 38 degrees, and there are plenty of challenging courses that even advanced skiers can enjoy.

On the other hand, the family area has a long course that stretches for 6km with a gentle slope that averages 7 degrees, making it an environment where even beginner skiers can enjoy themselves to the fullest.

Location of Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort

Niigata Prefecture, where Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort is located, is close to the Tokyo metropolitan area and faces the Sea of Japan.

Compared to ski resorts in Hokkaido and Nagano Prefecture, the altitude here is slightly lower, so even if there is a sufficient amount of snow, you are less likely to feel the bitter cold.

Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort is easily accessible from the Tokyo metropolitan area by train or car, so many Japanese people enjoy the idea of "boarding the train empty-handed, leaving the station and the slopes right in front of you."

Why Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort is popular

The reason Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort is so popular is not only because of its easy access, but also because of the variety of courses it offers.

The slopes can be enjoyed by anyone from families to advanced skiers, and are fully equipped with night skiing facilities, allowing night skiing on three slopes until 9pm.

Reason for popularity: Comprehensive courses

Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort consists of four areas and offers 22 courses.

The ski resort has an elevation difference of 817m and features an extremely complex layout.

Mother's Zone

The Mother's Zone is an area for beginners and those with small children.

The gently sloping slope in front of the official hotel is bustling with families enjoying their first skiing or playing in the snow for the first time.

This area includes a Kids' Paradise Zone where you can enjoy snow tubing, air toys, and snow athletics, as well as an area for first-time lift practice, making it ideal for children trying skiing for the first time.

Panorama Zone

The Panorama Zone, which will open in mid-December, is an area for intermediate skiers where you can enjoy the undulating terrain.

There are two courses with a maximum gradient of 30 degrees and a run length of 1,000m, and the views of the Uonuma Plain and the townscape of Tokamachi are breathtaking.

Additionally, the Panorama Family Forest Course in this area has a gentle 6,000m slope at 7 degrees that even beginners can ski down, making it a popular course that can be enjoyed by both beginners and intermediate skiers.

Active Zone

The Active Zone is a gathering place for advanced skiers from all over the world.

Some courses are certified by the Japan Ski Association, and international competitions have been held there in the past.

The extremely challenging course mentioned at the beginning, with a maximum gradient of 38 degrees, is also found in this area, where you can improve your skiing skills while taking on the challenge of ungroomed natural moguls.

Forest Zone

Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort is bustling with skiers, but the Forest Zone is the most secluded area where you can enjoy gentle skiing.

The slope faces north, so the snow quality is particularly good among all the resorts at Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort, but because it is some distance from the hotel, there are not many people, making it an environment where you can leisurely ski through the beech forest.

The most difficult run in the area has a maximum gradient of 32 degrees, making it ideal for intermediate skiers to practice.

Reason for popularity② Night game facilities

Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort is a popular ski resort among night skiing enthusiasts.

Many ski resorts in Japan do not have the facilities for night skiing, or only have one run that is suitable for night skiing, but Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort has three runs that are suitable for night skiing.

You can enjoy night skiing from 5pm to 9pm on three courses in the Mothers Area, which are easily accessible from the official hotel, so be sure to enjoy a hotel stay and night skiing.

Reason for popularity #3: Enjoy sweets on the slopes

There are eight restaurants within Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort, so you can easily enjoy a meal even during the crowded ski season.

A particular specialty of Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort is "Oshiruko."

Oshiruko is a traditional Japanese sweet made by adding mochi rice cakes and shiratama dumplings to a sweet, warm soup made from boiled red beans with sugar and water.

It has gained a reputation for its "irresistible warmth and sweetness that seeps into your body after a ski trip."

The Oshiruko Chaya in the Panorama Zone is one of the most popular spots in Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort, where you can try a variety of oshiruko, so be sure to try some oshiruko as a snack when you visit Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort.

Reason for popularity #4: A historic ski school

Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort has a ski and snowboard school with over 50 years of history.

There are several types of lessons available, and particularly popular are lessons for children from 4 years old, one-on-one private lessons, and family private lessons.

We have lessons that will satisfy not only children making their skiing debut, but also families trying skiing for the first time and skiers who want to improve their level.

Access from the airport

To get to Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort from Haneda Airport, take the monorail and train, or an express bus to Tokyo Station.

It takes about 40 minutes from Haneda Airport to Tokyo Station if you take the monorail and train, or about an hour if you take the express bus.

From Tokyo Station, you can access Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort by night bus or by taking the Shinkansen and train.

It takes about 7 hours if you take an overnight bus, and about 90 minutes if you transfer between the Shinkansen and local trains.

summary

Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort is easily accessible from the Tokyo metropolitan area and offers extensive skiing on a vast slope where you can enjoy skiing to your heart's content.

Not only is it a friendly environment for families and beginners, but there are also several challenging courses that will satisfy even advanced skiers, so there is no doubt that everyone will be satisfied.