Dec 25, 2012 - 1 min read

GALA Yuzawa

JR's super-convenient ski resort in Yuzawa

By Rufus Starbuck

Community writer

The base building, just outside Yuzawa is a bullet train station too. You can see it as you drive past Yuzawa on the Kanetsu Expressway.

A bullet train then gondola ride gets you from the city to the snow in no time. Skiing, boarding, sledding or snowballs at the top.

The season lasts from late December to early May so plenty of time to enjoy the snow.

Roll off the bullet train into the cavernous base building right next to the ticket counters, locker rooms and rental department. Once your are set it is up the gondola to the snow.

For the non-skiers there is a hot spring spa and swimming pool to lounge around in at the base building. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes both in the base building and up at the top of the gondola.

The gondola ride up is an experience in itself. Just under 10 minutes with great views over Yuzawa and up the valley, and often local wildlife underneath.

There is a 2.5km run from top to bottom running underneath the gondola. A great way to get to the bottom at the end of the day if your legs can handle it.

There are 9 lifts and 16 courses at the top of the gondola at GALA, so something for everyone. It is a popular destination for day trippers from Tokyo many of whom are taking advantage of the great day return packages which you can get from many travel ag

Notice

Ski season is dependent on each year's snowfall rate, its best to check in advance on the resort's opening hours.

Latest on GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort

GALA Yuzawa is often mentioned when talking about skiing in Japan - "that resort that has a bullet train station." It's a pretty amazing set-up and really accessible if you are looking to get up to the snow in a hurry - just over an hour away from Tokyo. It is really foreigner friendly too, with foreign language assistance at the ticket counter, rental department and ski school. It links up to two other ski resorts (Yuzawa Kogen and Ishiuchi Maruyama) which can be covered by the same 3 Mountain Pass, making it into one of the biggest ski areas in the region. Whether you are looking for some challenging slopes or just a chance to ride the gondola for the views and some snow play, GALA Yuzawa is a great option.