Gorin Kogen Ski Area Closed
Official name 湯田中渋温泉ごりん高原スキー場
Nagano
Open 1987–2007
Gorin Kogen was a Prince Hotels (formerly Kokudo) ski area on the slopes of Mt. Gorin behind Yudanaka Onsen in Yamanouchi, Nagano. Opened in 1987, it was known for a 3 km-plus ropeway that ran straight from the hot-spring town up to the slopes, where a gondola served runs of up to 3.2 km. Competition from nearby Shiga Kogen, falling skier numbers and limited parking kept it unprofitable, and when Seibu Holdings could not find a buyer during its restructuring the resort closed after the 2006-07 season. The ropeway and lifts have since been removed.
History of Gorin Kogen Ski Area
- Opened
- 1987
- Closed
- 2007
- Operators
- Kokudo / Prince Hotels (1987-2007)
- Why it closed
- Continuing losses (competition from Shiga Kogen, fewer skiers, small car park); Seibu Holdings could not find a buyer during its restructuring.
- The site today
- Ropeway, gondola and lift removed; a local newspaper reported plans to return the slopes to forest.