GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort opens for the 2021-2022 winter season
GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort, the only ski resort in the world with its own shinkansen station, is finally open for the 2021-2022 season today! A lack of snow had delayed the opening, which was initially slated for 11 December. The ski resort officially opens today, 19 December 2021 (Sunday), starting with the “Melody” and “Entertainment” courses in the Central Area.
Courses at GALA Yuzawa. (Image credit: GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort)
With 16 courses of varying levels of difficulties, and located less than 75 minutes by direct bullet train from Tokyo, GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort is a convenient winter getaway, especially for visitors coming from Tokyo.
The resort also offers a huge variety of rental gear and equipment, so customers can come empty-handed without having to worry about bringing along extra clothes. Every year, GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort has new models of skis and snowboards for rental, and customers can rest assured that all equipment is in good condition.
Enjoy fun snow activities at GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort. (Image credit: GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort (top) and JAPAN RAIL CAFE (bottom))
Other than skiing and snowboarding, GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort also offers an assortment of fun snow activities, such as sledding, snowmobile sleigh tours, kanjiki snowshoe walks, and more.
Even if you don’t ski or snowboard, you can still have a fabulous time at GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort. However, we highly recommend trying out skiing and snowboarding, as most beginners should be able to get the basics down with just a day or two of lessons.
Echigo Yuzawa is home to relaxing onsen with great scenery, as well as tasty sake. (Image credit: ホテル双葉, GALA Yuzawa / Ishii, JR East / Carissa Loh)
GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort is located in Yuzawa Town, and the nearby Echigo Yuzawa is home to delicious sake, relaxing hot springs, and beautiful snowy mountain views. If you’d like to know more about how to enjoy a trip to GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort and Echigo Yuzawa, check out this article.
What’s new?
Renovated restrooms
Renovated restrooms. (Image credit: GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort)
An upgrade at GALA Yuzawa this season happened at the restrooms, which have undergone renovations to become newer and more comfortable for customers. A wheelchair-accessible restroom has also been added, for the convenience of customers in wheelchairs.
JR SKISKI’s 30th Anniversary
This season, JR SKISKI celebrates its 30th anniversary. JR SKISKI is a special package deal by JR East that comprises shinkansen tickets and lift tickets, so if you’re thinking of visiting GALA Yuzawa this season, keep a lookout for the JR SKISKI packages.
Getting there
Ticket gates at JR GALA Yuzawa Station. (Image credit: GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort)
GALA Yuzawa is the only ski resort in the world with its own shinkansen station—JR GALA Yuzawa Station (ガーラ湯沢駅)—and it takes less than 75 minutes by direct bullet train from Tokyo. Right after exiting the ticket gate, you are facing the GALA Yuzawa ticketing counter, where you can purchase lift passes to go up the slopes. Isn’t that convenient?
JR TOKYO Wide Pass
The JR TOKYO Wide Pass and usage area. (Image credit: JR East)
If you are a foreign passport holder (including foreigners living in Japan), check out the JR TOKYO Wide Pass, a 3-day pass offering unlimited rides in the valid area, including the shinkansen to GALA Yuzawa. This rail pass also lets you enjoy special discounts for lift tickets and equipment rental at GALA Yuzawa.
(Video credit: GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort)
Check out GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort’s promotional video for the 2021–2022 season above.
Header image credit: GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort
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Carissa Loh
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