What other travelers are saying about GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort
Excellent place to enjoy the snow and snow activity with your family. We visited during the new year holidays so there was rush. Luckily it was snowing during our visit so we enjoyed the snowfall.
I highly recommend
to book all the tickets online to skip the queue and waiting time. Also you get some discount with online booking.
You must need Gandola tickets in order enjoy the snow area. Rest of the activities are optional.
There is JR train station in the Gala so you can reach directly there via Shinkansen. If you have train till Echigo Yuzava station and take the Gala Shuttle bus as well to reach Gala. I highly recommend to buy Tokyo Wide Pass if you planning for daily trip and couldn’t find place to stay there.
Overall Good place to spend winter vacation.
When visiting Gala Yuzawa, you should wear appropriate winter sports attire if you plan to ski or snowboard. This includes thermal layers, a waterproof ski jacket, ski pants, gloves, a hat, and goggles. If you're not engaging in winter sports, warm winter clothing is still recommended due to the cold temperatures. Don't forget good-quality snow boots for walking around the resort.
Yes, Gala Yuzawa is accessible using the JR Pass, which is a convenient option for international travelers. The JR Pass covers the Shinkansen (bullet train) ride from Tokyo to the Gala-Yuzawa station, making it a straightforward and cost-effective way to reach the ski resort.
To reach Gala-Yuzawa from Tokyo, you can take the Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo Station directly to Gala-Yuzawa Station. The station is unique as it's directly connected to the ski resort, making it exceptionally convenient for visitors. The train ride takes about 75 to 90 minutes, depending on the specific service.
The cost of a train ticket from Tokyo to Gala-Yuzawa varies depending on the type of train service (ordinary or reserved seating) and the time of purchase. Generally, a one-way ticket costs around 6,000 to 7,000 yen. Prices can fluctuate based on the season and demand, so it's advisable to check the latest fares closer to your travel date.
Took my son to see the snow for the first time. GALA was just an hour outside of Tokyo on the bullet train. The resort is pretty basic but served its purpose. We had a steaming hot bowl of ramen, hot tea and a beer. I posted videos of most of the areas. It was snowing heavily so we didn't go to the hotsprings. It as the perfect day trip to get away from the controlled chaos of one of my favorite Asian cities.
Had a good experience for a family, we weren’t coming for skiing but we got other options to do here, playing snows, had a lunch with beautiful white snow views up in the mountain and others.
This place is like a dream! About one hour away from Tokyo. Winter gears are available for rental. My kids really enjoyed the slopes. And we love the food too! We wish to come back🥹🥹
There was a heavy snow when we went there yesterday (Jan. 8, 2026). Nevertheless, still enjoyed my first snow and snowboard experience. 😌 My friends and I availed the 1-day shinkansen pass with gondola and chairlift.
