Cupid Valley

Alternative to more well-known (and crowded) ski areas

Cupid Valley is a great alternative to some of the more well-known (and thus, more crowded) ski areas in Niigata, particularly if you're a beginner. They have a number of beginner-friendly slopes through to intermediate level, so if you're an advanced winter sports aficionado you might find this all a bit easy. If you're visiting with kids they have a nice kids areas too where they can just enjoy tubing and snow play. A one-day adult ticket is 4400 yen which is really reasonable IMO, especially compared to what ski places cost in my home country! Also, you can just visit the kids snow area if you want, and that's only 500 yen admission.