Cupid Valley (Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture)/vol.8

2024.12.25

Slope guideskiing-ground2024ゲレ食SkiSki resortSnow board安塚Yasuzuka-WardCorridor of lights

The longest run is 4000 meters! Glide comfortably while enjoying the view of the Sea of Japan!

◆Opening period: December 21 – March 23, 2025 (scheduled)

1.Features of slopes and courses
2.Events
3.Lunch Information
4.Data

1.Features of slopes and courses

Cupid Valley is located approximately 45 minutes from the Joetsu IC and Kakizaki IC of the Hokuriku Expressway, in the Azuka district of Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture, in the Snowman Plateau “Cupid Valley. Surrounded by beautiful trees, the ski resort is located on the slopes of 1129-meter-high Hishigadake Mountain, and on a clear day, visitors can enjoy skiing while looking out over the Sea of Japan.

Cupid Valley has a total of seven well-maintained courses. The courses are mainly for beginners and intermediate skiers, but there are also non-snow areas for advanced skiers, beginner courses that even beginning skiers can enjoy, and the Smile Kids Park, which features a wide variety of areas (60% beginner, 40% intermediate).

From Cupid Valley official website

Cupid Valley’s course takes advantage of the natural terrain and is laid out with a variety of banks and waves. The courses are well managed and safe to ski. *The second quad lift is suspended for the 2024-2025 season (from December 2024) due to renewal.

The second quad lift will be out of service this season due to its replacement, and instead of skiing on the upper course, a limited CAT tour will be held starting in early January. *Advance reservations required.

For children who want to enjoy playing in the snow, we recommend the dedicated “Smile Kids Park. The area is equipped with a “snow escalator,” which is like a conveyor belt, and visitors can ride it up to the top. Snow play equipment, sleds, and tubes are also provided, so you can come empty-handed and have fun!*Smile Kids Park is open only on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays and specific days.

Under the title of “Snow Maji Generation Support Project,” lift tickets are free or half-price for those aged 18 to 22. For details, please visit the official website.

From Cupid Valley official YouTube

2.Events

Scheduled to be held on February 22, 2025 Corridor of Lights: Azuka Candle Road & Yamanoue Snow Festival
*Last year’s fireworks

Pork miso soup to commemorate the opening
■Date: Sunday, December 29
■Contents：Asuzuka Tourist Association will serve pork miso soup (Center House 2F) *Service ends when all the soup is gone.

Ski Camp for upper elementary school students (by reservation only)
■Date: Monday, December 30
*This event may be canceled due to snow conditions.
■Application period: ~December 27 (Fri.)
■Participation fee: 8,000 yen (including 1-day lift ticket, full-day lesson, lunch, and rental set)
■Capacity: 20 people (first-come-first-served)
■Application: by phone Tel 070-1253-5438 (9:00-16:00)
■Participation Target：For elementary school 5th and 6th grade students at the beginner to intermediate level

Snowboard camp for elementary school students (by reservation only)
■Date: Monday, December 30
■Application period: ~December 27 (Fri.)
■Participation fee: 8,000 yen (including 1-day lift ticket, full-day lesson, lunch, and rental set)
■Capacity: 10 (first-come, first-served)
■Application method: by phone Tel 070-1303-6937 (9:00-16:00)）

Ski Day
■Date: Sunday, January 12, 2025
■Content: “Half-price lift ticket” for next use will be given to lift ticket purchasers (first 100 arrivals)

Old Bubbly Style DAY
■Date: Sunday, February 16, 2025
■Demo run time: 12:00~.
■Meeting place: 3rd Pair Lift off-ramp
■Contents：All guests who come in old style will receive a one-day lift ticket for the day (first 100 guests). 12:00 p.m., we will gather at the 3rd Pair Lift off-ramp and all guests will demo skiing together!

Corridor of Lights Yasuzuka Candle Road & Yamanoue Snow Festival
■Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025
■Contents: Candle-lit venue full of events. The very popular fireworks display will be the finale of the event.
Parking fee: 500 yen/vehicle for those arriving by car after 17:00

Mr. Lerch Ski School
■Date: Sunday, March 2, 2025
■Reception hours: 9:00~ on the day
■Capacity: 10 people each (first-come, first-served, no advance reservations)
■Participation: For elementary school students who are skiing for the first time
■Contents: Free 2-hour lesson in the morning and free lift ticket on the same day

S-1 Grand Prix
■Date: Sunday, March 16, 2025
■Participation fee: 500 yen
■Capacity: 50 people (first-come-first-served)
■Content: Championship to determine the fastest sled king

Splash contest
■Date: Sunday, March 23, 2025
■Content: Cool! Beautiful! Funny! Stylishly! Show the judges how good you are!

3.Lunch Information

Dine at the Blanc Neige restaurant, which is sure to satisfy both adults and children. A wide range of menu items are available, from hearty bowls of rice to hot ramen noodles and sweets for dessert.

Niigata tare katsu-don: 1300 yen

The tare-katsu-don, recommended for tired bodies, is basically three pieces of pork cutlet on top of a bowl of rice.

Marbo Noodles 1000 yen

The new menu item, Marbo Noodles, is a spicy ramen recommended for cold days. It will warm you up.

4.Date

■Address: 4820 Sugawa, Azuka-ku, Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture
■Operating period: Dec. 21 – Mar. 23, 2025 (night games on Fridays, Saturdays, and days before national holidays from Jan. 3 to Mar. 8)
■Hours of operation: 8:30 – 16:30 (~20:00 on night operation days)
■Fees: Lift 1 day pass: Adults 4400 yen, Junior and senior high school students and seniors 3800 yen / Elementary school students 2800 yen *Seniors are 60 years old and over.
■Smile Kids Park admission fee: 500 yen (open free of charge on weekdays)
■Rental fee: Ski and snowboard set (1 day): Adults 4800 yen, Elementary school students and under 3800 yen
Wear set (1 day): Adults 4500 yen, elementary school students and under 3500 yen
Full set (1 day) 8000 yen for adults, 6000 yen for elementary school students and under
*Wear rental does not include accessories such as hats, goggles, and gloves.
*For hygiene reasons, goggles, gloves, and hats are not available for rental.
■Children’s Day for Skiing
・Contents：Free lift ticket
・Target: Elementary school students and younger (up to 2 children per parent)
・Dates：3rd Sunday from January to March