Akasawa Snow Park Closed
Official name みなかみ町営赤沢スキー場
Gunma
Open 1980–2024
Akasawa was a town-run ski area in Nagai, Minakami, on Route 17 between Sarugakyo Onsen and Mikuni Pass. The former village of Niiharu opened it in 1980 on leased national forest land to give forestry workers winter jobs. Two single chairlifts and a rope tow served a compact hill that still had a 35-degree advanced run, and it was loved by families and as a training ground for young racers; it also rented out the whole slope to groups on weekdays. Ageing facilities and a shortage of staff led the town to close it after 44 seasons, with the last day on 10 March 2024. The town plans to reuse the site for nature-based community projects.
History of Akasawa Snow Park
- Opened
- 1980
- Closed
- 2024
- Operators
- Niiharu Village (village-run, 1980-2005), Minakami Town (town-run, 2005-2024)
- Why it closed
- Ageing facilities and a shortage of staff; the original purpose (winter work for forestry workers) no longer applied.
- The site today
- The town plans to reuse the site as a place for sustainable community building in harmony with nature (environmental education under the Minakami UNESCO Eco Park idea was being considered).