SnowJapanHistory　スノージャパン ヒストリー
A look back at ski areas from Japan’s past 過去の日本のスキー場を懐かしむ

Shiraita Kogen

Yuzawa Town, Niigata Prefecture

白板高原スキー場　新潟県湯沢町

Shiraita Kogen was a ski area located close to the central area of Yuzawa town in Niigata Prefecture. It was geographically close to Kandatsu Snow Resort, which is still operating on the other side of the hill. The abandoned single ski lift remains in place, as do remains of a rope tow lift and base buildings.

Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Opened
開設		 1970
Closed
 閉設		 Around 1990
Unconfirmed
Base elevation
標高最低		 500m
Top elevation
標高最高		 600m
Vertical
標高差		 100m
Steepest slope
最大斜度		 42°
Number of courses
コース本数		 3
Longest run
最長滑走距離		 1,000m
Skill level
初級・中級・上級		 40% beginner
40% intermediate
20% advanced
Ski / board
スキー・スノーボード		 Unconfirmed
Ski lifts
リフト本数		 2 lifts (see below)
Single 420m
Rope tow 230m
Old lift facilities remain
Night skiing
ナイター設備		 There was night skiing at one time

Photographs

Taken in April 2021
写真撮影：2021年4月

Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
shiraita-kogen-3.jpg
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）
Shiraita Kogen Ski Area（白板高原スキー場）

Further Information

  • Shiraitasan 白板山 is the name of the mountain between the Kandatsu and Mitsumata areas of Yuzawa
    　
  • Shiraita Kogen Ski Area was located to the south of central Yuzawa town, just off Route 17 on the way up to Kagura and Naeba
    　
  • The ski area featured a 42 degree gradient slope
    　
  • It was possible to ski from the top of the Yuzawa Kogen  湯沢高原スキー場  ski area over and down to the base of Shiraita Kogen
    　
  • That was not an official course of either ski area - rather, something some folk did by themselves
    　
  • The abandoned single ski lift remains in place
    　
  • There are even three chairs hanging on the displaced cable in the base area
    　
  • A ski guide book from 1973 states that there were two single lifts
    　
  • However the aerial photograph from 1977 only clearly shows one lift, and a nearby local also recalled just the one lift
    　
  • It seems unlikely that there were ever two single ski lifts (if you know any different please get in touch)
    　
  • There was definitely a simple rope tow lift in the base area - parts of that remain along with a small white hut
    　
  • Remains of what appears to be the old base building(s) can also be found by the lift
    　
  • Back in the 1970s a ride on the ski lift cost 40 yen and the rope tow cost 20 yen
    　
  • There was parking for 100 vehicles and a free bus service from Echigo Yuzawa Station
    　
  • Another guide book notes the ski season as being from early December until late April - that now seems surprisingly long  (...and unlikely!)
    　
  • Until fairly recently there was a sign mentioning the name of the ski area by the side of Route 17
    　
  • The panel with the name of the ski area has been removed, the sign now just says いらっしゃいませ  (Welcome)
    　
  • The base of Kandatsu Snow Resort  神立スノーリゾート  is on the other side of the same hill
    　
  • When Shiraita Kogen was operating, that ski area was known as Kandatsu Kogen  神立高原スキー場

Google Earth

Google Street View

Google Maps

Location
所在地

Located just off Route 17, to the south of the main central area of Yuzawa Town.
About 3.2km from the Yuzawa IC exit of the Kanetsu Expressway.
About 2.8km from Echigo Yuzawa Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen and Joetsu line.
関越自動車道　湯沢ICから的3.2km
上越新幹線　上越線　越後湯沢駅から的2.8km

Currently operating ski & snowboard resorts in the region
近隣の運営中のスキー場

NASPA Ski Garden 　NASPAスキーガーデン 　1.5km
Kandatsu Snow Resort 　神立スノーリゾート　3.2km
Yuzawa Kogen 　湯沢高原　3.4km
All currently operating ski areas in the region
All currently operating ski areas in Niigata Prefecture

This page was created in May 2020
Last updated on 11th August 2022
2020年5月 作成 　2022年8月11日 更新