What other travelers are saying about GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort
Went for a day trip from Tokyo during the start-of-spring public holiday. Quite a few trains were nearly complete but could reserve still a place a day in advance. Once at the last stop of Gala, all was very well organised. Bought ski pass in 5 minutes, despite a full train decending just upstairs from the train station. Then ordered online at a kiosk my skis and boots, paid with credit card. Highlighted expert skier but think that related to the settings of the ski bindings, not the skis itself - they were very basic Fischer skis, felt plastic with no stability of edges. Better check for advanced skis if available... Then able to book a cheap locker at another kiosk and drop all stuff and normal shoes. And then take the gondola up, ski sticks you take yourself at exit of top gondola. Very easy all in all! Over 3m of snow, there was a new dump the day before, excellent sun, everything open, the black slopes were not groomed. Very nice for a day!!
If you’re around Tokyo, if you can squeeze it in on your itinerary, please do.
This is an amazing place! Winter Wonderland indeed. We went there around February this year.
Be prepared with winter clothes. There are rental gears inside, but you can also bring your own. 🤍
This snow/ski resort, is accessible for everyone even you are not doing ski.
The ticket price for gondola, not too pricey.
But, if you only want to play snow, maybe this is not for you.
In fact, you can play snow outside the door near the rental area, with barely no one there. (No need to ride the gondola).
There were too many people, and it can be dangerous if you are not aware of the ski-people.
Even the parking space was full, and we need to find ourselves a parking spot, 15 minutes walking from the entrance.
But still, there are many things to do other than skiing that you can choose.
We were so lucky to have a snowfalls!
But still, it was a good experience for all of us, especially me, who loves Japan the most.
Great ski/snowboard resort for beginners to intermediates. Access from Tokyo’s amazing (walk right off the Shinkansen to the resort, pick up your rental gear, then walk to life and go!)
Views are beautiful and slopes are not so crowded on weekdays. Try to cafe which is on the edge of the slopes and is a great spot to take a break.
GALA is easily accessible via shuttle from Echigo Yuzawa Station at Platform 5 (take the orange line). If you are not a local, don't worry because everything would be available in various languages as well.
For example, if you are there to rent anything, forget the fear of being unable to communicate with the staff on what you want including your sizes etc. They have self-selection stations that allows you to pick and choose what you'd like to rent from sets to ala carte if you happen to bring some of your own gear eg. snowboarding wear etc.
Prices are very friendly as well, with the snowboarding board, boots and helmet at a friendly 8500 yen, and a half-day, one-day lift ticket at 6500 yen.
Be prepared to be greeted by powder snow with a variety of narrow and wide slopes. I was here on a Saturday in January but in the peak afternoon it wasn't that crowded at all on the wide slopes and you could still snowboard comfortably. Be wary though, the slopes may be a little steep for first-timers so do find an area to grasp the basics first.
Love the big space, friendly prices and fast services. Cheers GALA!
When visiting Gala Yuzawa, you should wear appropriate winter sports attire if you plan to ski or snowboard. This includes thermal layers, a waterproof ski jacket, ski pants, gloves, a hat, and goggles. If you're not engaging in winter sports, warm winter clothing is still recommended due to the cold temperatures. Don't forget good-quality snow boots for walking around the resort.
Yes, Gala Yuzawa is accessible using the JR Pass, which is a convenient option for international travelers. The JR Pass covers the Shinkansen (bullet train) ride from Tokyo to the Gala-Yuzawa station, making it a straightforward and cost-effective way to reach the ski resort.
To reach Gala-Yuzawa from Tokyo, you can take the Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo Station directly to Gala-Yuzawa Station. The station is unique as it's directly connected to the ski resort, making it exceptionally convenient for visitors. The train ride takes about 75 to 90 minutes, depending on the specific service.
The cost of a train ticket from Tokyo to Gala-Yuzawa varies depending on the type of train service (ordinary or reserved seating) and the time of purchase. Generally, a one-way ticket costs around 6,000 to 7,000 yen. Prices can fluctuate based on the season and demand, so it's advisable to check the latest fares closer to your travel date.
