Gozu Kogen Ski Area Closed
Official name 五頭高原スキー場
Niigata
Open 1975–1991
Gozu Kogen Ski Area was a village-run hill on the western slopes of Mt. Gozu in the former village of Sasakami, now part of Agano, about 30 km from central Niigata. It opened in 1975 with four single chairlifts and six runs over about 270 m of vertical. Poor snow, falling visitor numbers and competition from a newer ski area nearby left it struggling, and it last operated around 1990 before formally closing about a year later. The lifts and buildings were later removed and beech trees have been planted on the old slopes; a hiking route up Mt. Gozu now passes through the former ski area.
History of Gozu Kogen Ski Area
- Opened
- 1975
- Closed
- 1991
- Operators
- Sasakami Village (village-run)
- Why it closed
- Poor snowfall, visitors falling from about 60,000 (1980) to 35,000 (1984), and competition from a newer ski area nearby; the last season did not open for lack of snow.
- The site today
- Lifts and base buildings removed after 2010; beech planting on the site since 2008; a hiking route to Mt. Gozu (旧スキー場コース) crosses it.