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

Oana

Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture

大穴スキー場　群馬県みなかみ町

Oana was a ski area to the north of central Minakami Town in the northern region of Gunma Prefecture. It was by the side of Route 291 heading north out of the town towards Tanigawadake. From 1949 until 1963, a special winter-only train station on the Joetsu line opened near the current Yubiso Station - just for skiers wanting to alight near Oana. Yubiso Station itself opened in 1967. After nearly 90 years of operation, Oana closed on 10th March 2019.

Oana Ski Area（大穴スキー場）
Opened
開設		 1931
Closed
 閉設		 10th March 2019
Base elevation
標高最低		 About 550m
Top elevation
標高最高		 About 700m
Vertical
標高差		 About 150m
Steepest slope
最大斜度		 42°
Number of courses
コース本数		 4
Longest run
最長滑走距離		 700m
Skill level
初級・中級・上級		 40% beginner
30% intermediate
30% advanced
Ski / board
スキー・ボード		 50% / 50% [2001]
Ski lifts
リフト本数		 4 lifts (at one time)
Pair 231m
Single 340m
Single 340m
Single 502m
Rope tow 　
Lifts remain in place
Night skiing
ナイター設備		 There was night skiing at one time

Photographs

Taken in April 2020
写真撮影：2020年4月

Oana Ski Area（大穴スキー場）
Oana Ski Area（大穴スキー場）
Oana Ski Area（大穴スキー場）
Oana Ski Area（大穴スキー場）
Oana Ski Area（大穴スキー場）
Oana Ski Area（大穴スキー場）
Oana Ski Area（大穴スキー場）
Oana Ski Area（大穴スキー場）
Oana Ski Area（大穴スキー場）
Oana Ski Area（大穴スキー場）
Oana Ski Area（大穴スキー場）
Oana Ski Area（大穴スキー場）
Oana Ski Area（大穴スキー場）
Oana Ski Area（大穴スキー場）
Oana Ski Area（大穴スキー場）

Further Information

  • Oana is pronounced as 'oh-anna'
    　
  • The pair lift was installed in 1996
    　
  • The two 340m single lifts ran in parallel
    　
  • The steepest gradient used to be 42°
    　
  • That steep course was available only when the Number 1 single lift was in operation
    　
  • The Number 1 single lift was installed in 1974 and operated until the 2016-2017 season
    　
  • For the last few seasons just the one pair lift and one single lift were operating
    　
  • Oana planned to close on 21st March 2019 but due to lack of snow had to cut that short and the last day of operation was 10th March 2019
    　
  • There was a large ski jump close by
    　
  • A special winter-only train station close to Oana was open from 1949 until 1963
    　
  • Local competitions and events were often held at Oana
    　
  • Solar panels are planned for the base area

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  • Located by the side of Route 291 to the north of the central area of Minakami Town in Gunma Prefecture

  • About 7km from the Minakami IC exit of the Kanetsu Expressway

  • About 1.5m from Yubiso Station and 3.5km from Minakami Station on the Joetsu line

  • 関越自動車道　水上ICから的7km

  • 上越線　湯檜曽駅から的1.5km　水上駅から的3.5km

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