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

Oyu Onsen

Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture

大湯温泉スキー場　新潟県魚沼市

Oyu Onsen was a ski area located in what used to be Yunotani Village, now part of Uonuma City in Niigata Prefecture. The onsen hot springs of the same name are close by. Oyu Onsen was last open on 31st January 2021 after struggling with declining visitors and snowfall in recent years. Since closing, the ski lift has been removed, and it now operates at the nearby Yakushi Ski Area. Meanwhile, in 2024, nature is quickly taking over the old Oyu Onsen ski slopes.

Oyu Onsen Ski Area（大湯温泉スキー場）
snowjapanhistory-oyu-onsen-1976.jpg
Opened
開設		 1960
Closed
 閉設		 31st January 2021
Base elevation
標高最低		 310m
Top elevation
標高最高		 455m
Vertical
標高差		 145m
Steepest slope
最大斜度		 30°
Number of courses
コース本数		 4
Longest run
最長滑走距離		 800m
Skill level
初級・中級・上級		 20% beginner
50% intermediate
30% advanced
Ski / board
スキー・ボード		 Unknown
Ski lifts
リフト本数		 1 lift
Pair 463m
The lift was removed after 2021
It is now used at the nearby Yakushi Ski Area
Night skiing
ナイター設備		 There was no night skiing

Photographs

Taken in April 2021
写真撮影：2021年4月

Oyu Onsen（大湯温泉スキー場）
Oyu Onsen（大湯温泉スキー場）
Oyu Onsen（大湯温泉スキー場）
Oyu Onsen（大湯温泉スキー場）
Oyu Onsen（大湯温泉スキー場）
Oyu Onsen（大湯温泉スキー場）
Oyu Onsen（大湯温泉スキー場）
Oyu Onsen（大湯温泉スキー場）
Oyu Onsen（大湯温泉スキー場）
Oyu Onsen（大湯温泉スキー場）
Oyu Onsen（大湯温泉スキー場）
Oyu Onsen（大湯温泉スキー場）
Oyu Onsen（大湯温泉スキー場）
Oyu Onsen（大湯温泉スキー場）
Oyu Onsen（大湯温泉スキー場）
Oyu Onsen（大湯温泉スキー場）
Oyu Onsen（大湯温泉スキー場）
Oyu Onsen（大湯温泉スキー場）
Oyu Onsen（大湯温泉スキー場）
Oyu Onsen（大湯温泉スキー場）
Oyu Onsen（大湯温泉スキー場）
Oyu Onsen（大湯温泉スキー場）
Oyu Onsen（大湯温泉スキー場）
Oyu Onsen（大湯温泉スキー場）
Oyu Onsen（大湯温泉スキー場）
Oyu Onsen（大湯温泉スキー場）
Oyu Onsen（大湯温泉スキー場）

Photographs

Taken in September 2024
写真撮影：2024年9月

Oyu Onsen Ski Area (Uonuma, Niigata)　大湯温泉スキー場（新潟県魚沼市）
Oyu Onsen Ski Area (Uonuma, Niigata)　大湯温泉スキー場（新潟県魚沼市）
Oyu Onsen Ski Area (Uonuma, Niigata)　大湯温泉スキー場（新潟県魚沼市）
Oyu Onsen Ski Area (Uonuma, Niigata)　大湯温泉スキー場（新潟県魚沼市）
Oyu Onsen Ski Area (Uonuma, Niigata)　大湯温泉スキー場（新潟県魚沼市）
Oyu Onsen Ski Area (Uonuma, Niigata)　大湯温泉スキー場（新潟県魚沼市）

Photographs

The below photographs are of the old Oyu Onsen ski lift, now installed at the nearby Yakushi Ski Area
Taken in September 2024
写真撮影：2024年9月

oyu-onsen-yakushi-lift-1.jpg
oyu-onsen-yakushi-lift-2.jpg
oyu-onsen-yakushi-lift-3.jpg

Further Information

  • Oyu Onsen Ski Area was just a short walk from the ryokan and hotels in the onsen hot spring area of the same name
    　
  • This area of Uonuma City used to be known as Yunotani Village  湯之谷村
    　
  • Yunotani Village became part of Uonuma City  魚沼市  in November 2004
    　
  • For at least most of  its time in operation, there was one pair ski lift at Oyu Onsen
    　
  • In a 1973 ski guide book Oyu Onsen is listed as having one 330m - presumably single - ski lift and two rope tow lifts
    　
  • The aerial photo from 1976 (above) does appear to show a configuration different from just one pair lift
    　
  • Further details of a possible earlier lift configuration cannot be confirmed
    　
  • The ski area traditionally held a Ski Carnival event in late February, featuring kamakura (Japanese style igloos)
    　
  • For the 2020-2021 season, Oyu Onsen was only open on weekends until the end of January
    　
  • The last day of operation as a ski area was 31st January 2021
    　
  • Reasons for closure were a declining number of visitors along with a lack of snow in recent seasons
    　
  • On the evening of 13th February 2021 a special 'Thank You' festival was held at the ski area
    　
  • It included a torchlight skiing display and fireworks
    　
  • The company operating the ski area announced that from the 2021-2022 season, the area will be open as a 'Snow Park'
    　
  • Plans include snow shoe experiences and activities including making kamakura igloos and snow sculptures
    　
  • There are no plans to use the ski lift again
    　
  • September 2024 update:
    　
  • The ski lift was removed sometimes after the visit in 2021
    　
  • It is now used at the nearby Yakushi ski area in Uonuma City (see photos above)
    　
  • In the short time since it was removed, the area seems to be very overgrown.... and unused
    　
  • There was some construction work happening on a building by the roadside, and it was impossible to fully enter the old base of the ski area
    　
  • No records can be found of any 'Snow Park' or other activities taking place at the location
    　
  • More information on Yakushi Ski Area on SnowJapan

Google Earth

Google Street View

Google Maps

  • By the side of Prefecture Road 299, about 1km off Route 352 in the Oyu Onsen area of Uonuma City

  • About 12km from the Koide IC exit of the Kanetsu Expressway

  • About 13km from Koide Station on the Joetsu line

  • 関越自動車道　小出ICから的12km

  • 上越線　小出駅から的13km

This page was created in April 2021
Last updated on 24th September 2024
2021年3月 作成 　2024年9月24日 更新