Ski areas from Japan’s past 過去の日本のスキー場を懐かしむ

Yuzawa

Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture

湯沢スキー場　秋田県湯沢市

Yuzawa was a ski area close to the centre of Yuzawa City in Akita Prefecture. The name ‘Yuzawa’ is famous for the town and associated ski areas in Niigata Prefecture. Interestingly, the only ski area simply known as ‘Yuzawa’ was this one, a long way to the north. Yuzawa had one single lift and some rope tow lifts. It opened in 1962 and closed in 2017 due to declining numbers and ageing facilities.

Opened
開設		 1963
Closed
 閉設		 2017
Base elevation
標高最低		 250m
Top elevation
標高最高		 370m
Vertical
標高差		 120m
Steepest slope
最大斜度		 30°
Number of courses
コース本数		 4
Longest run
最長滑走距離		 1200m
Skill level
初級・中級・上級		 50% beginner
40% intermediate
10% advanced
Ski / board
スキー・ボード		 70% / 30% [2016]
Ski lifts
リフト本数		 1 lift and 3 rope tows
Single 434m
Rope tow 　
Rope tow 　
Rope tow 　
It appears that the lift has now been removed
Night skiing
ナイター設備		 At one time there was night skiing at Yuzawa

Further Information

  • Yuzawa Ski Area was located close to the centre of Yuzawa City 湯沢市 in Akita Prefecture
    　
  • It is not to be confused with the much more well-known Yuzawa Town 湯沢町 (and the ski areas in that town) in Niigata Prefecture
    　
  • Yuzawa had one single lift and three rope tow lifts
    　
  • One of the rope tow lifts was by the lower section of the single lift
    　
  • The other two rope tows were on the left-hand side of the slope
    　
  • There was night skiing at one time on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
    　
  • Many local schools held ski lessons on weekdays at Yuzawa
    　
  • The single lift and one of the rope tow lifts closed sometime before the ski area closed (around 2014)
    　
  • Near the end, the ski area was closed on Wednesdays
    　
  • In an official town report from 2016, it showed that 1,758 people used the ski area (presumably in the most recent season)
    　
  • With ageing facilities and low usage numbers, it was decided that it would be closed
    　
  • The ski area eventually permanently closed in 2017
    　
  • Since then, it appears that the single lift has been removed

Google Earth

Google Street View

Google Maps

  • Less than 1km off Route 398 just to the east of central Yuzawa City

  • Less than 4km from the Yuzawa IC exit of the Tohoku Chuo Expressway

  • About 3.5km from Yuzawa Station on the Ou Honsen line

  • 東北中央自動車道 湯沢ICから的4km

  • 奥羽本線 湯沢駅から的3.5km

This page was created in August 2022
Last updated on 11th January 2023
2022年8月 作成 　2023年1月11日 更新