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

Akasawa

Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture

赤沢スキー場　群馬県みなかみ町

Akasawa was a ski area close to Sarugakyo Onsen in the southern region of Minakami Town in Gunma Prefecture, near the border with Yuzawa Town in Niigata Prefecture. Initially operated by Niiharu Village, the ski area opened in 1980 and had two single lifts and one rope tow lift. Due to ageing facilities, declining number of visitors and snowfall, in December 2023, it was announced that the 2023-2024 season would be its last. The last day of operation was 10th March 2024.

Opened
開設		 1980
Closed
 閉設		 10th March 2024
Base elevation
標高最低		 800m
Top elevation
標高最高		 1,050m
Vertical
標高差		 250m
Steepest slope
最大斜度		 35°
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		 50% beginner
30% intermediate
20% advanced
Ski / board
スキー・ボード		 Unconfirmed
Ski lifts
リフト本数		 3 lifts
Single 260m
Single 545m
Rope tow 　
The lifts remain in place
Night skiing
ナイター設備		 There was no night skiing

Photographs

Taken in March 2023 and April 2024
写真撮影：2023年3月 & 2024年4月

Akasawa Ski Area (Minakami, Gunma)　赤沢スキー場（群馬県みなかみ町）
Akasawa Ski Area (Minakami, Gunma)　赤沢スキー場（群馬県みなかみ町）
Akasawa Ski Area (Minakami, Gunma)　赤沢スキー場（群馬県みなかみ町）
Akasawa Ski Area (Minakami, Gunma)　赤沢スキー場（群馬県みなかみ町）
Akasawa Ski Area (Minakami, Gunma)　赤沢スキー場（群馬県みなかみ町）
Akasawa Ski Area (Minakami, Gunma)　赤沢スキー場（群馬県みなかみ町）
Akasawa Ski Area (Minakami, Gunma)　赤沢スキー場（群馬県みなかみ町）
Akasawa Ski Area (Minakami, Gunma)　赤沢スキー場（群馬県みなかみ町）
Akasawa Ski Area (Minakami, Gunma)　赤沢スキー場（群馬県みなかみ町）
Akasawa Ski Area (Minakami, Gunma)　赤沢スキー場（群馬県みなかみ町）
Akasawa Ski Area (Minakami, Gunma)　赤沢スキー場（群馬県みなかみ町）
Akasawa Ski Area (Minakami, Gunma)　赤沢スキー場（群馬県みなかみ町）
Akasawa Ski Area (Minakami, Gunma)　赤沢スキー場（群馬県みなかみ町）
Akasawa Ski Area (Minakami, Gunma)　赤沢スキー場（群馬県みなかみ町）
Akasawa Ski Area (Minakami, Gunma)　赤沢スキー場（群馬県みなかみ町）
Akasawa Ski Area (Minakami, Gunma)　赤沢スキー場（群馬県みなかみ町）
Akasawa Ski Area (Minakami, Gunma)　赤沢スキー場（群馬県みなかみ町）
Akasawa Ski Area (Minakami, Gunma)　赤沢スキー場（群馬県みなかみ町）
Akasawa Ski Area (Minakami, Gunma)　赤沢スキー場（群馬県みなかみ町）
Akasawa Ski Area (Minakami, Gunma)　赤沢スキー場（群馬県みなかみ町）
Akasawa Ski Area (Minakami, Gunma)　赤沢スキー場（群馬県みなかみ町）

Further Information

  • Akasawa opened in 1980
    　
  • At that time, the location was part of Niiharu Village 新治村
    　
  • It is located between Sarugakyo Onsen 猿ヶ京温泉 and the Mikuni Toge 三国峠 mountain pass that continues on to Naeba 苗場 in Yuzawa Town 湯沢町
    　
  • Initially, it was known as Niiharu Sonei Ski Area 新治村営スキー場
    　
  • It was operated by the village
    　
  • Niiharu Village became part of Minakami Town みなかみ町 in October 2005, and the ski area continued to be operated by Minakami town
    　
  • Ageing equipment and a decline in the number of people visiting (as well as less reliable snowfall) were given as official reasons for the closure
    　
  • The ski area had two single lifts and one rope-tow lift
    　
  • It was popular with families and locals, and local schools used it for skiing practice
    　
  • It’s busiest period was around 1990, when about 25,000 people visited the ski area
    　
  • As the skiing population declined, the number of visitors also declined from the mid-1990s
    　
  • The ski area was only able to operate between 8th-29th January during the 2006-2007 season
    　
  • From the 2008-2009 season, the ski area was closed to the general public on weekdays, but private groups could use it by reservation
    　
  • Apparently, only about 5000 people used the ski area during the 2010 season
    　
  • In 2015, as a 'thank you gift' in the Furusato Nozei (hometown tax) scheme ふるさと納税, Minakami Town made it possible for donations of 300,000 yen or more to choose the right to rent out Akazawa ski area for one day
    　
  • In late 2023 it was announced that 2023-2024 would be the ski area's last season, and it would permanently close on 10th March 2024
    　
  • On 18th February 2024, a special commemorative event 44年間ありがとう 赤沢スキー場大感謝祭 was held at the ski area to allow regulars to celebrate 44 years of the ski area
    　
  • The 2023-2024 season was sporadic due to low snowfall, but thanks to some late-season snowfall, it managed to be open on the planned closing date
    　
  • The building at the base may be used for other purposes, perhaps part of the Minakami Unesco Eco Park (Minakami Biosphere Reserve) みなかみユネスコエコパーク project
    　
  • It is unclear what will happen to the ski lifts

Google Earth

Google Street View

Google Maps

Location
所在地

About 3km off Route 17, close to Sarugakyo Onsen and Akaya Lake.
About 22km from the Tsukiyono IC exit and 26km from the Minakami IC exit of the Kanetsu Expressway.
About 21km from Jomo Kogen Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen line.
関越自動車道　月夜野ICから的22km　水上ICから的26km
上越新幹線　上毛高原駅から的21km

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

All currently operating ski areas in Gunma Prefecture

This page was created in April 2024
Last updated on 18th April 2024
2024年4月 作成 　2024年4月18日 更新