Travel to Ishiuchi Maruyama / GALA / Yuzawa Kogen with ski insurance from Essential Travel

Lying northwest of Tokyo in the beautiful Niigata prefecture of Central Honshu, the three ski resorts of Ishiuchi Maruyama, GALA Yuzawa and Yuzawa Kogen offer great sliding and one comprehensive ski lift ticket allows you to ski at all three resorts. The slopes are largely for beginner and intermediate skiers, with Ishiuchi Maruyama having the bulk of the terrain, while the mogul runs, snowboard park and night skiing provide additional appeal.

The ski resorts of Ishiuchi Maruyama, GALA and Yuzawa Kogen come with ski and snowboard rentals and schools, and are situated fairly near to the town of Shiozawa. The atmosphere at each resort is laid back and the slopes are not overly crowded on weekends; however, the best time to ski here is definitely during the week.

There are 10 miles of pistes at Ishiuchi Maruyama, GALA and Yuzawa Kogen ski resorts with a top elevation of over 3,000 feet and a vertical drop of 2,179 feet. The longest slope here is a modest 3,300 feet, but there are 31 trails to choose from that are suitable for all levels and fed by 36 ski lifts with a capacity to lift over 46,000 people per hour. In addition, there is a terrain park with a halfpipe and quarter pipe.

For those that are staying at the resorts of Ishiuchi Maruyama, GALA or Yuzawa Kogen, lodgings are in pensions and Japanese-style inns that are dotted along the slopes; prices are fairly reasonable. Alternatively, if you prefer to stay in the big city, the ski resorts are within road and rail commuting distance of Tokyo. Après-ski facilities here are not extensive.

If you are looking for some more slopes to slide on, nearby Iwappara is a fairly large ski destination and very popular, with its amazing views of Tanigawa-Dake and the valley from the top and the excellent main slope. Alternatively, Arai Mountain & Snow Park to the west has a cracking location and an abundance of powder.

The ski season at Ishiuchi Maruyama, GALA and Yuzawa Kogen ski resorts runs from mid-December to early April and the best snow conditions can be found in February. The most efficient method of transportation is to take the bullet train from Tokyo to Gala Yuzawa Station, from where buses go to the resorts.

Skiing in Ishiuchi Maruyama / GALA / Yuzawa Kogen

Situated in the south of the stunning Niigata prefecture, Ishiuchi Maruyama, GALA and Yuzawa Kogen ski resorts offer numerous runs for all levels of skiers and snowboarders and are ideally located within a two-hour drive of the capital, Tokyo. There is a snowboard park here as well as night skiing and accommodation is slope-side.

The 31 slopes at Ishiuchi Maruyama, GALA and Yuzawa Kogen ski resorts are divided into 40 per cent as suitable for beginners, 40 per cent for intermediates and 20 per cent for advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders. The total skiable length is 10 miles, with the longest slope being 3,300 feet, while 36 lifts provide access to the slopes.

Apart from the snowboard park that comes with a halfpipe and quarter pipe, there aren’t that many additional winter activities at Ishiuchi Maruyama, GALA and Yuzawa Kogen ski resorts. However, you will find wellness facilities such as swimming pools, Jacuzzis and saunas at the top hotels and pensions, while the après-ski is provided by on-slope restaurants and the hotels.

There are several pensions and inns that offer accommodation on the slopes and in the nearby town of Shiozawa or you can stay in Tokyo and commute to the resorts. Ski and snowboard facilities at the resorts include ski and snowboard schools and rentals, and some shops.

The Ishiuchi Maruyama, GALA and Yuzawa Kogen ski resorts’ ski season extends from the middle of December to early April, while the busiest and most expensive time to ski here is in February. Bullet trains run to Gala Yuzawa Station direct from Tokyo, the fastest and most efficient transport option from the capital. Buses then run from the train station in Yuzawa to the various resorts.

Transportation to Ishiuchi Maruyama / GALA / Yuzawa Kogen

Ishiuchi Maruyama, GALA and Yuzawa Kogen ski resorts are located in south Niigata prefecture, about 150 miles northwest of Tokyo and are accessible by train, bus and car. The most hassle-free way to get here is to take a bullet train from Tokyo to Gala Yuzawa Station and then a bus to one of the resorts.

If you are travelling by car from Tokyo to Ishiuchi Maruyama, GALA or Yuzawa Kogen ski resorts, take the Kanetsu expressway from Tokyo all the way to Yuzawa, from where each ski resort is well signposted; the journey takes around 3 hours. From Osaka, take the Chuo expressway as far as Matsumoto, from where highways 143, 144 and 145 head northeast and eventually join the Kanetsu expressway for Yuzawa.

By train, the bullet train runs to Gala Yuzawa Station throughout the day from Tokyo and the journey only takes 1 hour, 20 minutes. Buses then run on to Ishiuchi Maruyama, GALA and Yuzawa Kogen ski resorts from Gala Yuzawa Station, with a journey time of 10 minutes.

Although Niigata has an airport, flights here from Tokyo are fairly expensive and with the excellent road and rail access from Tokyo, flying here isn’t a quicker way of reaching the resorts. Tokyo’s Narita Airport receives the bulk of air traffic into Japan, including many international flights.

click here for a travel insurance uk quotation