Joetsu Kokusai Ski Area

上越国際スキー場
Joetsu Kokusai Ski Area map

Minamiuonuma City, Niigata

新潟県南魚沼市

Planned ski season (subject to change) [?]
Saturday 7th December 2024 until Sunday 6th April 2025

Previous ski seasons (actual dates) [?]
2023-2024: 22nd December 2023 - 31st March 2024
2022-2023: 17th December 2022 - 2nd April 2023
2021-2022: 18th December 2021 - 3rd April 2022

Introduction

Joetsu Kokusai, often known as 'Jo-koku', is a ski area located in the southwestern region of Minamiuonuma City in Niigata Prefecture.

Despite the name, it is not in the Joetsu region of the prefecture but rather in the Chuetsu region.

Joetsu Kokusai covers an extremely wide area of over 10 million square metres. In that respect, it is the largest individual ski area in Japan.

There are four interconnected official areas. The main area with the Hotel Green Plaza at the base is known as East. The other areas are the South Active Zone (often known as Osawa), the North Panorama Zone (often known as Atema) and the West Forest Zone. Due to the scale of Joetsu Kokusai, many people concentrate on one or two areas rather than try to cover them all in one day. The South (Osawa) and West (Atema) areas both have their own car parks and base areas.

Joint lift tickets and season passes valid at both Joetsu Kokusai and Iwappara in Yuzawa are available.

Joetsu Kokusai initially opened in 1968.

Note: this ski area always has a very early planned opening date in early December but often is not able due to a lack of snow at that time. Keep an eye on our daily Yuzawa Now reports in the run up to the season to keep an eye on ski area openings.

Minamiuonuma City and neighbouring Yuzawa Town are home to over 20 individual ski areas, including some of the most well-known in Japan. View the full list here. With easy and quick access by train and road and a wide choice in a relatively compact area, this region is one of Japan's most popular ski destinations. The region usually enjoys heavy and consistent snowfall each winter. The region is also known for onsen hot springs and Yuzawa as the inspiration for the famous Nobel prize-winning novel Yukiguni (Snow Country).

The Mountain

Max Elevation

1017m

Top elevation

Vertical Difference

817m

Vertical

Min Elevation

200m

Base elevation

Total Ski Courses

22

Number of courses

Longest Course

6000m

Longest course

Steepest Slope

38°

Steepest course

30%

Beginner

50%

Intermediate

20%

Advanced

19

Total ski lifts

ropeways 0

0

Ropeways

gondolas 0

0

Gondolas

quad lifts

3

Quad lifts

triple lifts

3

Triple lifts

pair lifts

13

Pair lifts

single lifts 0

0

Single lifts

other lifts 0

0

Other lifts

Skiers

60%

Snowboarders

40%

Skiing and snowboarding are both allowed at Joetsu Kokusai Ski Area
Joetsu Kokusai Ski Area course map small
The above image has been created by SnowJapan to show the position of ski lifts at Joetsu Kokusai Ski Area.

Joetsu Kokusai Ski Area facilities

park facilities

Park, off-piste & other activities

The Snow Park is in the Nakamine area and features a half-pipe.

children facilities

Families & children

The Yuki no Yuenchi area, in front of the main hotel at the base of the ski runs, is open from 9:00am until 4:00pm and the entry charge is 500 yen per day.

The Sori Land sledging area, also in front of the hotel, and the Spongebob Kids Park on the Nagamine run, are both free to use.

Lessons

Lessons

Ski and snowboard lessons are available at Joetsu Kokusai.

There are a number of independent ski and snowboard schools that cover the Yuzawa area and offer lessons in English. Please see the Listings section.

Rental

Rental & other facilities

Ski and snowboard equipment & wear rental is available along with other facilities in the main base hotel.

Joetsu Kokusai Ski Area opening information

Opening time

Typical season

NOVDECJANFEBMARAPRMAY
                     

Joetsu Kokusai is normally open from 8:00am until 5:00pm every day in the daytime.

Note that not all lifts and/or sections open at the same time and sometimes depend on the day - check with the ski area for up-to-date details.

Night skiing is in the main area in front of the base hotel until 9:00pm, scheduled for every day of the season from 21st December 2024 (until 23rd March 2025).

Joetsu Kokusai Ski Area address & further information

address

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Kabanosawa 112-1
Minamiuonuma-shi
Niigata-ken
949-6431

Telephone: 025-782-1028