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    Chubu, Japan

    Seki Onsen

    310m vertical, 14-16m annual snow, two lifts, ungroomed powder terrain. Family-run since 1917 in Myoko, Niigata Prefecture.

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    Season 2025-2026
    Opens
    5 Dec 2025
    Closes
    29 Mar 2026
    Days open
    114
    Annual snow
    12.9m
    Snow record
    1090cm
    Last winter · 2025-26
    84% of a typical winter1293cm
    Explore 14 winters of snowfall→
    The Overview
    MF
    Michael Fulton
    Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.

    Seki Onsen operates across 310 metres of vertical drop from a 900-metre base to a 1,210-metre summit. The area records 14 to 16 metres of annual snowfall and comprises four official runs serviced by two chairlifts, spanning approximately 30 hectares. The ski area sits 30 kilometres from the Sea of Japan on the northeastern slopes of Mount Myoko in Niigata Prefecture, capturing Siberian storm systems that deliver exceptional powder depth. The resort operates from early December through early May, often extending its season well beyond neighbouring areas.

    Terrain splits 30 per cent beginner, 40 per cent intermediate and 30 per cent advanced across short but steep runs. The Silver Fan Course remains ungroomed throughout the season, offering the steepest gradients and deepest powder within the Myoko mountain range. Most slopes receive minimal grooming, preserving natural snow conditions for powder skiing. The area allows unrestricted off-piste access through marked sidecountry zones and tree skiing terrain, unusual among Japanese resorts.

    Seki Onsen has operated continuously since 1917, making it one of Japan's oldest ski areas. The Inoue family has owned and managed the resort for nearly 50 years, maintaining a low-key operation with no ski patrol presence. A single on-mountain restaurant serves homemade meals, whilst the base village contains minimal facilities. The area attracts international powder skiers seeking untracked terrain and an authentic mountain experience free from modern resort infrastructure.

    The resort functions independently with no pass affiliations to neighbouring Myoko resorts. Day tickets cost ¥4,500 for adults, reflecting the minimal lift infrastructure and facilities. Seki suits advanced skiers and snowboarders comfortable navigating steep, ungroomed terrain without patrol oversight. The tiny scale means fresh snow tracks out quickly on popular powder days, typically within hours of opening.

    310m
    Vertical
    4
    Runs
    74 acres
    Skiable
    12.9m
    Annual snow
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    The Terrain

    4 runs across 74 acres skiable

    Seki Onsen is a tiny, family-run area on the north-eastern side of the Myoko range, with only four runs over just 30 hectares and a vertical of 310 metres, from 900 metres to 1,210 metres. Despite the size, the snow is the draw. The split is 20% beginner, 50% intermediate and 30% advanced, and the lift system of doubles, triples and quads simply repeats those short, steep pitches. Marked pistes matter less than ungroomed snow, so think of it as a place to ski powder rather than to tick off runs.

    The Silver Fan Course is the name to know, an advanced run left ungroomed to hold the steepest slopes and deepest snow on the mountain. Around it are tree runs and sidecountry lines, with moguls forming in spring. Facilities are minimal, with a single on-mountain restaurant and a low-key atmosphere. Seki Onsen suits strong intermediates through to advanced skiers who want a powder-first day without the crowds of larger Myoko areas. Beginners will find it limiting, and anyone heading beyond the marked terrain should carry avalanche gear and go with a guide. Check lift status before travelling, as the season runs long into spring.

    Terrain split
    4
    runs
    4 runs across 4 grades
    Beginner1 run · 20%
    Intermediate2 runs · 50%
    Advanced1 run · 30%
    Expert0 runs · 0%
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    Time it right

    When to visit Seki Onsen

    The 2025-2026 season runs from 5 December 2025 through 29 March 2026, though operations frequently extend into early May when snowpack permits. Lifts operate 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM daily. Seki regularly outlasts all other Myoko resorts due to its exceptional snow retention and north-facing aspect. The area celebrated 100 years of skiing operations in 2017.

    Annual snowfall averages 14 to 16 metres, among the highest totals in Japan. The resort's position at 1,000 metres elevation where cold Siberian air meets moisture from the Sea of Japan creates ideal powder conditions. Minimal snowmaking exists as natural accumulation proves sufficient throughout winter. Base depths regularly exceed two metres by mid-season, with the upper single chair sometimes buried during storm cycles.

    January and February deliver peak powder conditions with frequent storm cycles refreshing terrain every few days. December offers early-season depth whilst March provides longer daylight and spring corn conditions. Late-season skiing continues through April when mogul fields develop on ungroomed slopes. The area's compact size means fresh lines disappear quickly after storms, making timing critical for untracked snow.

    Mid-March onwards brings increased activity as other resorts close, with banked slalom competitions and a fireworks festival marking the late season. No night skiing operates. The resort publishes minimal advance scheduling, reflecting its owner-operated flexibility. Powder board test rides and terrain park features appear intermittently depending on conditions and staffing.

    Season 2025-2026
    5 Dec 2025
    Opens
    29 Mar 2026
    Closes
    114
    Days open
    12.9 m
    Annual snow
    The record

    Historical snowfall at Seki Onsen

    Daily snow reports at Seki Onsen go back to 2012, 14 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.

    120 cm
    Snowiest day
    25 Jan 2026
    1090 cm
    This winter · 2025-26
    so far
    1293 cm
    Typical winter
    average of complete seasons
    Explore historical snowfall →
    Winter totals
    cm
    Past wintersThis winter
    Getting there

    Getting to Seki Onsen, and where to stay

    Seki Onsen sits in Myoko city, Niigata Prefecture, on the northeastern flank of Mount Myoko, a 2,454-metre active stratovolcano. The base village rests at 900 metres elevation in a narrow valley formed by the Myoko mountain range. The Joshinetsu National Park surrounds the area, with the resort positioned 30 kilometres inland from the Sea of Japan coast. Traditional hot spring baths line the village streets, which opened in 1729 as one of Myoko's oldest onsen settlements.

    Sekiyama Station on the Myoko Haneuma Line provides the nearest rail access, 10 to 15 minutes by bus or taxi from the resort. Akakura Onsen village, the main accommodation hub for Myoko, lies 12 kilometres south and 30 minutes by road. The town of Myokokogen sits 12 kilometres southeast near the rail station. Tsubame Onsen, another hot spring village, is located 3 kilometres uphill from Seki via Prefecture Road 39.

    Road access follows Route 18 to either Myoko Kogen Interchange or Nakago Interchange on the Joshinetsu Expressway, then 15 to 20 kilometres via Prefecture Road 39. Drive times from Nagano city average one hour, whilst Tokyo lies approximately four to five hours south. Winter road conditions require caution as heavy snowfall frequently impacts Route 39. Limited parking at the resort base fills quickly on powder days.

    Tokyo's Narita and Haneda airports serve as primary international gateways, approximately 300 kilometres south. Direct shuttle buses operate from both airports to Myoko, taking five to six hours. Niigata Airport sits 160 kilometres northeast, offering limited international flights and two-hour road transfers. Train connections require the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nagano Station, then the Kita-Shinano Line 45 minutes to Myoko-Kogen Station, followed by a local train to Sekiyama.

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    Seki Onsen Trail Map

    Downloadable Seki Onsen trail map

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    Live Seki Onsen conditions, webcams & maps. Opens straight here.

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    Live Seki Onsen conditions, webcams & maps. Opens straight here.

    Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
    Seki Onsen trail map↓ Download PDF
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    Terrain split
    4
    runs
    Beginner20%
    Intermediate50%
    Advanced30%
    Expert0%
    74 acres skiable30 hectares
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    Resort Stats
    Elevation
    Base900m
    Summit1210m
    Annual snowfall
    12.9m
    Season
    2025-2026
    5 Dec 2025 - 29 Mar 2026
    Trail coverage
    4 runs
    74 acres (30 ha)
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    About Seki Onsen's trail map

    Explore Seki Onsen's full trail map with 4 runs across the mountain, colour-coded by difficulty and shown alongside the terrain split. Use it to plan a day that matches your ability, find lift-served pockets of your favourite grade, and see how the resort links together. Download the piste map (PDF) ↗

    More Seki Onsen intelligence: snow report, lift system, webcams, resort overview.