Ishiuchi Maruyama is a ski area located in Minamiuonuma City, close to the border with Yuzawa Town in Niigata Prefecture.
Ishiuchi Maruyama has three base areas - the Chuo Entrance (Main on the English course map), the Kita Entrance (North in English) and the Hatsukaishi Entrance. It is connected with the Northern Area of the GALA Yuzawa ski area at the top of the mountain. GALA Yuzawa is then connected with Yuzawa Kogen ski area by a ropeway lift. A joint lift ticket valid at all three ski areas, known as Yuzawa Snow Link, is available during the main season.
There are currently 14 ski lifts at Ishiuchi Maruyama, including four quad and five triple lifts.
There have been various developments at Ishiuchi Maruyama in recent years, including the Sunrise Express hybrid gondola and six-person lift, a triple lift and a new base Ski Centre building in the Main Entrance area.
In 2023, the ski area added a new pair ski lift (called Chuo Family) which covers the lower section of the Chuo area and effectively connects it with the Kanko Base. A new Resort Center Annex facility also opened and the main car park was expanded.
The snow on a few ski runs at Ishiuchi Maruyama is left ungroomed, and there is also a (town-operated) Monster Pipe.
This ski area initially opened in 1949.
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).
There are two park areas called Main Park and Beginner Park.
The large 170m Gungho Monster Pipe is actually operated by Minamiuonuma city rather than the ski area itself. It is located in the central area of the ski area, near the top of the gondola lift. Is is normally open from 9:00am through 1:00pm on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the daytime and from 4:15pm through 7:45pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays when there are night skiing operations.
Extra charges apply for the Monster Pipe. (1,300 yen for adults and 750 yen for high school students and younger; slightly cheaper for residents of Niigata Prefecture).
The snow on a number of ski runs is left ungroomed and there also a few official tree run courses.
The area known as The Veranda Ishiuchi Maruyama features a Snow Activities area as well as a Snow Escalator and Snow Terrace featuring 'dome tents'. The Veranda Ishiuchi Maruyama is close to the top of the Sunrise Express gondola and can be accessed using a gondola return ticket. Open daily from 20th December 2024 through 6th April 2025.
The Yuki Asobi Park ('Snow Play Park') is located close to the Resort Center building by the Main Entrance. Entry to that facility is 1,000 yen (or free with a valid lift ticket). Normally open on weekends and holidays (and over New Year), from 10:00am until 4:00pm.
Various types of 'kids tickets' are available for entry into facilities as well as lifts/gondola.
Ski and snowboard lessons are available at Ishiuchi Maruyama. There are a number of independent ski and snowboard schools that cover the Yuzawa area and offer lessons in English. See our Listings section for more.
Ski and snowboard equipment & wear rental is available from various locations around base.
NOV | DEC | JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | ||||||||||||||
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Ishiuchi Maruyama is normally open from 8:30am until 5:00pm in the daytime.
The Hatsukaishi and Kita (North) base areas are open until 30th March 2025.
Night skiing is from 4:00pm until 8:00pm on the following dates:
- every day from 28th December 2024 until 1st March 2025
- Fridays, Saturdays and holidays until 29th March 2025
OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Ishiuchi 1782-2
Minamiuonuma-shi
Niigata-ken
949-6372