[Ski area information 2023-2024] Joetsu International Ski Resort (Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture)/vol.18

2024.1.12

Slope guide 2023SkiSki resortSnow boardopen at nightJoetsu International Ski AreaMinamiuonuma City

Full weekend events! Extensive slopes with 4 areas

◆Operating period: December 2, 2023 – April 7, 2024 (tentative)

1.Features of slopes and courses
2.Events
3.data

1.Features of slopes and courses

Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort, a snow resort overlooking Minamiuonuma City in Niigata Prefecture, is located 7 minutes from the Shiozawa Ishiuchi Interchange on the Kanetsu Expressway.

From the official website of Joetsu International Ski Resort

The biggest features are the size of the slopes, which consist of four areas, and the wide variety of courses (30% beginner, 50% intermediate, and 20% advanced), 22 courses in all.

The “Mother’s Zone” stretches in front of the Hotel Green Plaza Joetsu, the symbol of Joetsu International Ski Resort, and is recommended for beginners and families.

There are also snow amusement parks such as “Kids Paradise,” “Sled Land,” and “Sponge Bob Kids Park,” where small children can enjoy playing in the snow without worries.
The “Snow Park,” equipped with various items that can be enjoyed by beginners and advanced skiers alike, is also popular.

On the north side is the Panorama Zone, an area for intermediate skiers who can enjoy the varied and undulating terrain, and on the south side is the Active Zone with challenging courses for advanced skiers who are confident in their abilities.

The “Forest Zone” is located on the Atema side of Tokamachi City, at the far end of the ski area, and is an area where you can enjoy skiing in a relaxed atmosphere in a beech forest.

Since all zones can be accessed by lift, it may be fun to take a tour and conquer the entire area.

Joetsu International Ski Area also offers night skiing until 8:30 p.m. daily.
If you purchase a “one-day admission ticket+,” you can ski in the nighttime without worrying about the time.
Enjoy the fantastic atmosphere and snow quality of the slopes, which are different from those during the daytime.

From Joetsu International Ski Resort official channel

2.Events

Joetsu International Ski Resort offers a variety of free-of-charge events on weekends.

New Year’s Eve countdown event
■Date: December 31 (Sun.) 22:30 – 24:30
■Location: Special stage on the slope in front of the hotel
■ Content: This year’s main guest will be comedian Kitsune. In addition, TV impersonators will gather.

PETIT TRIASLON
■Date: Every Saturday and Sunday from January to March, 11:00 a.m. reception
■Location: In front of the hotel in Kids Paradise
*Adults 3 years old and up to 4th grade elementary school students; Kids Paradise admission ticket required.
■ Description: Triathlon of 3 events: Swim + Run + Ride.

Fireworks over the snow in Jyokoku
■Date: Saturdays from January to March, scheduled for 8:30 p.m.
■Location：Nagamine slope
■Admission: Free

Iwappara & Jyokoku Sled Race
■Date: January 21 (Sun.), February 25 (Sun.), March 17 (Sun.) 11:00-12:00
■Location: Soliland

athletic event held on a snowy day
■Date: Saturday, February 3 and Saturday, March 9
■Location: Next to Kids Paradise
■Contents: Compete in events unique to snow. There will be prizes for each event in which you participate.

Event details are subject to change. Please check the website for details.

Following last season’s 55th anniversary, we are running a giveaway campaign this season to win cars and other luxury prizes.
Please check the website for details.

3.Lunch Information

There is a wide variety of restaurants in each zone on the slopes of Joetsu International Ski Resort.

Located at the entrance to the main slope, the Mother’s Zone includes Mont Blanc Restaurant, which offers a menu unique to Niigata, St. Moritz Restaurant, which serves ramen, rice bowls, curry, and other dishes, and Yodel Restaurant, which mainly serves pasta and other Western cuisine.

Oshiruko, a specialty of freshly baked rice cake 690 yen (tax included)

The Panorama Zone is home to the Oshiruko Teahouse, which serves the famous oshiruko as well as curry and udon noodles.

The Active Zone is home to “Tyrol,” a restaurant serving curry and ramen, while the Forest Zone is home to “Limoges,” which boasts a hearty menu, and “Horn,” a restaurant with a fireplace and an at-home atmosphere where visitors can enjoy special dishes.

4.data

■Address: 112-1 Kabanosawa, Minamiuonuma, Niigata Prefecture
■Opening period: Saturday, December 2, 2023 – Sunday, April 7, 2024 (scheduled)
*Nightly tour will be held from Saturday, December 23, 2023 to Sunday, March 24, 2024 from 5:00pm to 8:30pm.
■Opening hours: 8:00 – 20:30 (weekdays from 8:15)
■Fees: 1-day admission ticket (open – 17:00) / Adults (junior high school students and older): 5,500 yen, Juniors (3 years old – elementary school students): 3,500 yen, Masters (60 years old and older): 4,300 yen
1-day admission ticket + (open – 20:30) / Adult 5800 yen, Junior 3800 yen, Master 4600 yen
Afternoon & Night-time admission tickets / Adult 4,500 yen, Junior 2,800 yen, Master 3,500 yen
Night skiing admission ticket (17:00-20:30)/Adult 1,500 yen, Junior and Master 1,000 yen
■Rental fee: Ski set (board, boots, poles): 1 day / Adults: 4,500 yen, Children: 3,500 yen
Board set (board and boots) 1 day / Adults 4,500 yen, Children 3,500 yen
Full set (ski or board set + apparel) / Adults 8,000 yen, Children 6,000 yen