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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

Tsuchitaru

Yuzawa Town, Niigata Prefecture

土樽スキー場　新潟県湯沢町

Tsuchitaru was a small ski area located south of the central area of Yuzawa Town in Niigata Prefecture, by the side of the small train station of the same name. It was close to the north end of the long Kanetsu Expressway tunnel that connects Yuzawa Town with Minakami Town in Gunma Prefecture. The ski slope was just a few minutes’ walk from the station and access to the slope was through the station. Tsuchitaru closed in 2005.

Tsuchitaru Ski Area（土樽スキー場）
Opened
開設		 Unconfirmed
Skiing here since 1923
As a ski area... perhaps 1939
Closed
 閉設		 2004
Base elevation
標高最低		 603m
Top elevation
標高最高		 710m
Vertical
標高差		 107m
Steepest slope
最大斜度		 24°
Number of courses
コース本数		 2
Longest run
最長滑走距離		 600m
Skill level
初級・中級・上級		 60% beginner
40% intermediate
0% advanced
Ski / board
スキー・ボード		 91% / 9% [2001]
Ski lifts
リフト本数		 2 lifts (at one time)
Pair 375m
Rope tow 100m
The lift has been removed
Night skiing
ナイター設備		 There was no night skiing

Photographs

Taken in April 2020
写真撮影：2020年4月

Tsuchitaru Ski Area（土樽スキー場）
Tsuchitaru Ski Area（土樽スキー場）
Tsuchitaru Ski Area（土樽スキー場）
Tsuchitaru Ski Area（土樽スキー場）
Tsuchitaru Ski Area（土樽スキー場）
Tsuchitaru Ski Area（土樽スキー場）
Tsuchitaru Ski Area（土樽スキー場）
Tsuchitaru Ski Area（土樽スキー場）
Tsuchitaru Ski Area（土樽スキー場）
Tsuchitaru Ski Area（土樽スキー場）
Tsuchitaru Ski Area（土樽スキー場）
Tsuchitaru Ski Area（土樽スキー場）
Tsuchitaru Ski Area（土樽スキー場）
Tsuchitaru Ski Area（土樽スキー場）
Tsuchitaru Ski Area（土樽スキー場）

Further Information

  • It is unclear when Tsuchitaru officially opened...
    　
  • ...but apparently there were people skiing here as far back as 1923, before any lift was installed
    　
  • The pair lift was installed in December 1990
    　
  • Tsuchitaru Station on the local Joetsu train line opened to the public during the winter in 1933
    　
  • Access to the ski area was only through the small station, just off the platform
    　
  • There is still a sign that mentions Tsuchitaru Ski Area on the old train platform
    　
  • There was no large car park, just a small space for cars by the station
    　
  • In later years before closing, Tsuchitaru only opened on weekends and holidays
    　
  • Tsuchitaru was owned and operated by the Prince Group

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Location
所在地

Located to the south-east of the main central area of Yuzawa Town in Niigata Prefecture.
About 8km from the Yuzawa IC exit of the Kanetsu Expressway.
By the side of Tsuchitaru Station on the Joetsu line and 10km from Echigo Yuzawa Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen line.
関越自動車道　湯沢ICから的8km
上越線　土樽駅から的20m
上越新幹線　越後湯沢駅から的10km

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

Nakazato Snow Wood 　中里スノーウッド 　4.5km
Yuzawa Nakazato Snow Resort 　湯沢中里スノーリゾート　6km
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