I’m not much of a thrill-seeker, but even I got to recommend hitting the slopes at GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort in Niigata – you won’t regret it!
Taking the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Niigata was a totally unplanned experience during my family Japan trip back in 2014, yet it remains one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had in Japan. With just a day left to use our JR Pass, we thought we’d make the most of it and go on a long-distance trip to the snowy mountains. That’s when we discovered the GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort in the city of Yuzawa in Niigata Prefecture.
Choose Your Weapon!
The GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort was super accommodating, providing us with winter jackets, trousers, gloves, and ski boots before sending us up the freezing cold snowy mountains. We also got to choose our ski boards and sticks, or if you’ve got the skill, you could opt for snowboarding instead. Despite being located in a relatively non-touristy area, the ski resort itself attracted many international visitors from around the world, and so the staff was quite well-versed in English to accommodate.
Cable Cars Up The Mountain!
Once you’re all geared up, the friendly staff will guide you to the GALA cable cars to take you up the mountain.
You can opt to be placed at different points on the mountain with varying distances from the base (don’t go to the top if you’re scared of heights!).
Well, I should take my own advice as someone who is scared of heights, because I soldiered through to the highest point and started my skiing journey from the top!
Unbelievable Views of Niigata!
Motivated by the desire to see the view from the top, I chose to be dropped off at the highest point of the ski slope. The views from the cable car were absolutely breathtaking, getting better and better with each ascent. Mesmerizing scenery of snowy mountains above the clouds had me feeling like a bird soaring through the winter skies of Niigata.
Skiing Down The Mountain!
Naturally, I couldn’t take photos while skiing down the slopes (not trying to die here!), but I did capture some shots of the winding slopes from the cable car. Thankfully, we were taught enough techniques to know how to slow down and stop as needed, so controlling my speed down the slope was pretty easy, and you best believe I took things slow. Besides, when the views are that spectacular, what’s the rush to get to the bottom, right?
Cozy Restaurant & Cafe Area
Nothing like a nice hot cocoa after freezing your butt off in the coldest regions of Japan during the peak of winter. GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort has a warm and cozy communal area featuring cafes and restaurants serving up hot food and drinks like pizza, pasta, hot chips, coffee, and tea. There are also restrooms and souvenir stores, as well as a large window looking out into the snowy mountains, a view you could gaze at for hours!
Thrills, Tranquility, and Amazing Memories!
The awesome thing about GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort is that there’s something for everyone! My mother had absolutely no desire to hit the slopes, but still had an equally memorable time going up and down the cable cars and enjoying a hot coffee with a window view. Indeed, GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort is a place where you can experience both thrills and tranquility – either way, you’ll make unforgettable memories!
To learn more about life in Japan, check out my book: The Japanese Pursuit of Perfection. This book features my most profound observations of Japanese culture and society as a foreign resident. Available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover. Grab your copy today!