Norn Minakami Ski Resort - Gunma Prefecture ski resort famous for being the easiest to access from Tokyo

Very easy to get to, at only 95 minutes away from Tokyo

Norn Minakami Ski Resort is known for being a day-trip resort, and the closest ski resort to Tokyo metropolitan area in Gunma Prefecture. True to its reputation, it’s very easy to get to. Located about 3 kilometers and 5 minutes away from the Highway Interchange, it’s the #1 most convenient ski resort, even compared with other day-trip resorts.

However, we recommend you equip your car for snowy roads if you’re getting there by car. Though the distance itself is short, there are a lot of hills, and people who have never navigated these types of roads before may feel anxious without stud-less snow tires. If arriving by train, there’s a direct bus from the nearest station that can take you there in about 20 minutes.

There’s also nighttime skiing until late, so you can ski for about half a day even if you head out of Tokyo in the morning. This is a ski resort popular for its convenience, with many people even coming to ski after work by car.

Slopes made to be easy to go down

The ski resort itself is quite compact, with only five courses. It is, however, known for its optimized ski lift system, which makes it very easy to get around, highly variable courses with tons of entertainment value, and extremely convenient equipment and facilities. These slopes were designed with the visitors in mind, and indeed, there are many people that are very impressed by these slopes despite their small overall size.

Our #1 recommended course for beginners is the C Course, with its gentle slope. The beginning of the course is highly variable, with a steep slope. However, it only takes a bit of practice for even beginners to be able to go down this course with ease.

This is one of the most popular courses at Norn Minakami Ski Resort, especially since if you go straight down onto the D Course, you can enjoy a non-stop, 2,000-meter run.

Some of you may be concerned about the quality of the snow, seeing as it’s so close to the Highway Interchange. However, the maximum elevation is actually surprisingly high at 1,220 meters. The snow quality is good, as the elevation is about the same as ski resorts in the Yuzawa Area, and is definitely adequate for those looking to experience Japanese snow for the first time.

There are many courses for intermediate-level skiers, meaning some courses will be difficult for first-time skiers. There are also many beginner’s classes held in the flat base area, so if you’re not confident in your ability, you should try one of these classes first. On the other hand, skiers who are used to the snow will be able to ski to their heart’s content on all of the courses.

Snow Land, packed with fun for adults and children alike

Snow Land is packed full of various activities for the whole family. It’s made to be like a snow park, so feel free to have some light-hearted fun.

There are all kinds of activities for you to try, including the 40-meter mini-slope, which you can go down on a sled, the snow-slider with its race-like feel, the trampoline corner, and more.

There are many group-oriented activities as well, from snowball fights to snow trekking, so it might be fun to stop by on a group trip as well. You’ll have to tell the ski resort the number of people in your group and the times you want to reserve, so we recommend you get a reservation in advance if you want to enjoy these activities.

They also offer a full assortment of rental gear, so you can come empty-handed and enjoy the full experience. This is a must-visit spot if you’re ever at Norn Minakami Ski Resort!

Operating Period: December 26 - March 31
Opening Hours: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Nighttime skiing can be open until midnight!

Norn Minakami is also known for its great nighttime skiing experiences. There are two nighttime courses - D Course and E Course. Neither of them have very steep slopes, meaning even beginners can ride down without fear. Of course, there are also areas of high variability, making these courses great for those who want to practice their carves and turns as well.

Nighttime skiing usually goes until 10:00 pm, but on Fridays/Saturdays from January 8 to March 20, it goes until midnight. Because it’s so convenient to get to, many people often come to this ski resort by car after work.

The nighttime courses at Norn Minakami Ski Resort have a distinctly different feel than the courses during the day. Why not go down the slopes at night, if you have time to spare?

Compact, yet sophisticated courses

Norn Minakami Ski Resort is a revolutionary kind of ski resort that combines convenience with ultra-accessibility. The coordination between the courses, the location of the ski lifts, the convenience of the facilities, the quality of service - all of these have been optimized to make life as easy as possible for the modern skier.

These are the perfect slopes for some day-trip skiing. There are also many hot springs around the ski resort, so we recommend you head to one of those after you ski.

Head to Norn Minakami Ski Resort for some casual skiing in the Gunma area.

Pricing information and schedule may not be up to date and are subject to change without notice. Please check before your trip.