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    Chubu, Japan

    Myoko Suginohara

    1,124m vertical drop, 16 runs, 15m annual snowfall. Myoko Suginohara claims Japan's longest ski run at 8.5km in Niigata.

    Season 2025-2026
    Opens
    5 Dec 2025
    Closes
    29 Mar 2026
    Days open
    114
    Annual snow
    15m
    The Overview
    MF
    Michael Fulton
    Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.

    Myoko Suginohara operates across 1,124 metres of vertical drop between 731 and 1,855 metres elevation, with 16 runs covering terrain suitable for all abilities. The resort claims Japan's longest continuous ski run at 8.5 kilometres from summit to base. Annual snowfall averages 13 to 15 metres, driven by storms crossing the Sea of Japan that collide with the mountain's high-elevation terrain. Myoko Suginohara joined the Ikon Pass network for the 2025-26 season, offering passholders access to one of nine ski areas in the broader Myoko Kogen region.

    Terrain divides into two zones: the Suginohara Zone at lower elevations and the Mitahara Zone reaching the 1,855-metre summit. Beginner and intermediate runs account for 80 per cent of the resort's 16 marked trails, with wide groomers dominating the lower mountain. The upper Mitahara Zone holds steeper pitches and tree skiing between widely spaced birch and beech, offering off-piste options when fresh snow arrives. A terrain park operates on the lower mountain with jumps, boxes and rollers.

    The base village of Suginosawa Onsen retains traditional Japanese character, with family-run lodges, onsen bathhouses and limited evening dining. Weekday lift queues rarely exceed two minutes, though the gondola may queue 10 to 30 minutes on weekends and public holidays. The resort offers free lift access for children under 13 and discounted tickets for seniors aged 55 and above. On-mountain restaurants serve regional specialities including roast pork with ginger sauce and local soba noodles.

    Myoko Suginohara operates as part of the Mt Myoko All Mountain Pass system, which grants access to Akakura Onsen, Akakura Kanko and Ikenotaira resorts within the Myoko Kogen area. The 2025-26 season runs from 5 December 2025 to 29 March 2026. The resort suits intermediate cruisers seeking long fall-line runs, families with mixed abilities benefiting from free children's passes, and advanced riders looking for accessible tree skiing and sidecountry terrain between storm cycles.

    1124m
    Vertical
    16
    Runs
    222 acres
    Skiable
    15m
    Annual snow
    The Terrain

    16 runs across 222 acres skiable

    Myoko Suginohara spreads 16 runs across 222 acres skiable of terrain. It leans beginner at 40%, with 6 beginner runs to find your feet and 3 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.

    Terrain split
    16
    runs
    16 runs across 4 grades
    Beginner6 runs · 40%
    Intermediate6 runs · 40%
    Advanced3 runs · 20%
    Expert0 runs · 0%
    Time it right

    When to visit Myoko Suginohara

    The 2025-26 season spans 5 December 2025 to 29 March 2026, delivering approximately 115 operating days across mid-December to late March. Myoko Kogen typically opens lifts in early December following initial snowpack establishment, with full terrain access by mid-month. Spring operations extend into late March, when lower elevation runs transition to corn snow and upper mountain terrain holds winter conditions. Lifts operate from 8.30am to 4.30pm on weekdays and 8am to 4.30pm on weekends and holidays.

    Annual snowfall averages between 13 and 15 metres, placing Myoko Suginohara among Japan's snowiest ski areas. The resort's 1,855-metre summit elevation exceeds both Hakuba Happo One and Nozawa Onsen, providing a 600-metre elevation advantage over coastal lowlands where storms originate. Moisture-laden systems from the Sea of Japan collide with the mountain, producing frequent dumps of light, dry powder. Snowmaking equipment supplements natural snowfall on lower runs, though the resort relies predominantly on natural accumulation given the region's consistent storm cycles.

    January and February deliver peak powder conditions, with the second week of January historically recording the heaviest snowfall averaging 74 centimetres across a typical week. Early season conditions in December offer uncrowded slopes with developing base depths, whilst March provides longer daylight hours and stable spring snow on sun-exposed aspects. Visibility during active storms can limit upper mountain skiing, pushing traffic into tree zones where spatial reference remains clearer. Weekday visits avoid domestic crowds that concentrate on weekends and Japanese public holidays.

    The resort does not operate night skiing or floodlit terrain. Snowmobile tours operate as an additional activity during winter months. Children under 13 ski free throughout the season, making school holiday periods particularly busy with Japanese families. No major international competitions or festivals anchor the calendar, though local events occasionally take place at the base area. The season's timing aligns with other Myoko Kogen resorts, allowing multi-resort exploration under the Mt Myoko All Mountain Pass.

    Season 2025-2026
    5 Dec 2025
    Opens
    29 Mar 2026
    Closes
    114
    Days open
    15 m
    Annual snow
    Getting there

    Getting to Myoko Suginohara, and where to stay

    Myoko Suginohara sits in southwestern Niigata Prefecture on the eastern slopes of 2,454-metre Mount Myoko, part of the Myoko-Togakushi Renzan National Park. The resort occupies a north-south ridgeline within the broader Myoko Kogen highland plateau, which stretches between 600 and 1,300 metres elevation. The base village of Suginosawa Onsen lies at 731 metres, approximately 5 kilometres south of the larger Akakura Onsen village. Niigata Prefecture borders Nagano Prefecture immediately to the south, placing Myoko Kogen at the intersection of two major snow belts.

    Myoko-Kogen Station, the nearest rail hub, sits 10 to 15 minutes by taxi from the resort base, serving the Shinano Railway Kita-Shinano Line. Nagano city lies 30 kilometres to the south, connected by a 40-minute train journey on the Shinano Railway. The larger city of Joetsu sits 20 kilometres north. The Myoko region merged from the historic city of Arai and surrounding mountain towns in 2005, creating the modern municipality of Myoko City with a population near 31,000 spread across 445 square kilometres.

    The Joshinetsu Expressway provides primary road access, with the Myoko Kogen Interchange located 5 minutes from Suginohara's base area. From Tokyo, the drive covers approximately 285 kilometres and requires 3.5 hours via the expressway through mountainous terrain. From Nagano city, the journey north takes one hour by car on Route 18 and connecting mountain roads. Overnight highway buses operate from Tokyo, arriving at Myoko Kogen in approximately 4.5 to 5 hours depending on road conditions and stops.

    Tokyo Narita Airport sits 280 kilometres southeast, whilst Tokyo Haneda Airport lies slightly closer at 260 kilometres. Both airports connect to Myoko Kogen via Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nagano Station, followed by the Shinano Railway to Myoko-Kogen Station, totalling 3 to 5 hours including transfers. Niigata Airport, 160 kilometres northeast, offers domestic and limited international flights, with onward bus or car travel required. Direct airport shuttle buses operate from both Tokyo airports to Myoko Kogen, eliminating transfers and delivering passengers to resort doorsteps in approximately 5 hours. Train travellers use JR East services to Nagano, then switch to the Echigo Tokimeki Railway for the final leg to Myoko-Kogen Station.

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    Myoko Suginohara Snow Report

    Snow Report
    Awaiting live data
    1855m
    summit
    +0cm
    new snow · last 24 hours
    -°C / -°C · - -
    Snowfall
    24 hours
    0cm
    48 hours
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    7 days
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    Base depth
    -
    Season total
    -
    Total lifts5

    Live open status isn’t available right now.

    5 Dec 2025 - 29 Mar 2026

    Hour by Hour

    Next 45 hours· Updated Sep 3, 2026 at 5:02 AM
    ThuNow9a10a11a12p1p2p3p4p5p6p7p8p9p10p11pFri12a1a2a3a4a5a6a7a8a9a10a11a12p1p2p3p4p5p6p7p8p9p10p11pSat12a1a2a3a4a
    Conditions
    Temp°C · feels
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    109
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    Snowfallcm
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    Precip chance%
    84%
    90%
    94%
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    18%
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    Precipmm0.10.31.51.91.53.49.14.82.70.70.50.30.40.40.30.30.30.10.20.100.20.2000000.31.50.60.90.10000.10.10000000
    Wind / gustkm/h
    2G22
    2G25
    3G30
    2G30
    3G25
    2G27
    7G31
    9G37
    6G39
    5G30
    6G20
    3G19
    4G16
    3G18
    5G19
    5G19
    5G19
    5G23
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    5G31
    5G33
    4G34
    3G27
    3G27
    3G29
    2G26
    1G23
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    2G19
    3G19
    4G18
    4G23
    4G24
    5G21
    4G17
    6G14
    7G13
    8G14
    7G13
    7G13
    6G13
    6G15
    5G16
    6G16
    5G16

    Scroll for the full outlook · Open-Meteo

    7-Day Outlook

    1,855 mUpdated Sep 3, 2026 at 5:02 AMOpen-Meteo

    Days 1–7

    0.0cm

    Days 8–14

    0.0cm

    Unlock days 8–14

    Free account required

    Thu, Sept 3

    Heavy Rain
    Temp16° / 13°°C
    Snow0.0cm(100%)
    Wind9 km/h W

    Live snow from the resort feed; forecast from Open-Meteo, via Supabase.

    Understanding the Myoko Suginohara snow report

    Track current conditions at Myoko Suginohara in Chubu. This report covers snowfall totals, base and summit depth, and the forecast across 16 runs.

    Snow measurements

    Base depth, summit depth, and recent snowfall are the core numbers to watch. At Myoko Suginohara, summit conditions (1855m) can differ noticeably from the base, so we break both out separately rather than showing a single average.

    Weather conditions

    Snow quality tracks closely with temperature and wind. We surface both alongside the snowfall data so you can judge whether conditions at Myoko Suginohara are holding up or starting to soften.

    Data sources

    Myoko Suginohara snow data is collected through a combination of on-mountain reports and weather forecasting services, giving you both official resort updates and independent forecast data in one place. The mountain is served by 5 lifts, including 2 quad chairlifts and a gondola.

    When to check

    Conditions can change overnight, so mornings and late afternoons are the best times to check back on Myoko Suginohara.