Katashina Kogen Ski Resort is located in Katashina Village, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture, and is known as the only ski resort in the Kanto region exclusively dedicated to skiers.
Snowboarding is not permitted, creating a calm and focused environment for skiing. This makes the resort particularly suitable for beginners, families with young children, and senior skiers returning to the sport after a long break.
The resort has a vertical difference of approximately 300 meters and a longest run of approximately 2,500 meters. While the ski area is mainly designed for beginner and intermediate skiers, it also offers steeper slopes and mogul terrain for more experienced skiers.
The Kaede Course is a popular intermediate run featuring a relatively gentle gradient and a wide slope. Its spacious layout allows skiers to enjoy relaxed, uninterrupted cruising.
The Mokusei Course features a series of mogul sections, making it a good choice for skiers who want to challenge themselves and improve their technique.
From the Chigusa Course, skiers can enjoy panoramic views from near the upper part of the mountain. The combination of skiing and mountain scenery is one of the resort’s attractions.
A paid permanent course with slalom poles is also available. Except on days when competitions are being held, it can generally be used without an advance reservation, making it popular with racers and skiers interested in competition training.
Katashina Kogen Ski Resort is also widely known as Japan’s only official Miffy ski resort.
Miffy decorations and photo spots can be found throughout the resort, creating a cheerful atmosphere that is especially popular with families. The gentle, family-oriented environment also makes the resort a welcoming place for children experiencing skiing for the first time.
The snow-play area known as Miffy Adventure Park offers activities such as sledding, playing in the snow, and campfire experiences.
The area is designed so that young children can participate without needing to bring special equipment, allowing even family members who do not ski to enjoy a winter day together.
A snow escalator and Snow Strider Park are also available, providing additional opportunities for children to safely experience the snow.
The resort operates three triple chairlifts and three pair lifts, allowing visitors to move efficiently around the ski area.
The No. 6 Pair Lift is approximately 1,047 meters long and provides access toward the upper slopes. An artificial snowmaking system is installed beside the No. 5 Lift, helping maintain stable skiing conditions at the beginning and end of the season.
The slopes are carefully groomed, and the resort has developed a reputation for providing a particularly welcoming environment for beginners.
Several restaurants and cafés are available within the resort, offering a selection of meals and drinks for skiers and families.
At venues such as Country Child, Miffy Terrace, and Snow Child, visitors can enjoy distinctive menu items including rice cooked with locally produced maitake mushrooms, freshly roasted coffee, and homemade tiramisu.
For families with young children, the resort also provides services such as the free Kinder Room, a dedicated rest area for children and their families.
Membership programs are also available, with discount options designed for different groups, including families, senior skiers, and racers.
Independent cottages known as Child Lodge are located partway up the ski area. Guests can be transported to the lodges by snow vehicle, providing a convenient way to stay close to the slopes.
At the foot of the access road, Katashina Kogen Hotel offers another accommodation option for visitors who want to enjoy a more relaxed multi-day stay.
By car, the resort is approximately 33 kilometers from the Numata Interchange on the Kan-Etsu Expressway, taking around 50 minutes.
Visitors can also reach the resort from JR Numata Station by bus or taxi. Parking is available, and parking is free on weekdays.
Katashina Kogen Ski Resort opened in 1967 and has continued to develop through improvements to its lifts and other facilities.
In 1996, Miffy was adopted as the resort’s image character, helping establish the family-oriented atmosphere that remains one of its defining features today.
Katashina Kogen Ski Resort is more than simply a place to practice winter sports. With its skier-only policy, varied courses, Miffy-themed facilities, children’s snow activities, comfortable accommodation, and family-friendly services, it offers a wide range of ways to enjoy the winter mountains.
From children taking their first steps on skis to experienced skiers working on their technique, visitors can enjoy the snow in an environment designed around skiing and family recreation.
For travelers looking for a relaxed winter experience in the mountains of Gunma, Katashina Kogen offers an opportunity to enjoy skiing, snow play, and the natural beauty of the Japanese winter landscape.