Choei Yuda is a tiny Japanese ski resort for “solitude-seeking skiers” and fresh tracks

Japan’s biggest ski resorts are getting busier every year, making it harder to find an affordable and quiet place to ski. That’s what makes local ski hills so important. Some are run by nonprofit organisations, relying on volunteers to keep them running. A few, like Choei Yuda, are completely municipally funded and operated, ensuring that anyone in the community can access skiing and snowboarding at a low cost.

View from the bottom of the main slope at Choei Yuda. Image: Eliot Cochrane

Located in Nishiwaga, Iwate, Choei Yuda is managed by the town’s Board of Education, which operates it alongside Sawauchi Baden, a cross-country skiing facility. Nishiwaga embraces its long winters through nature tourism and local cuisine, and the Board of Education ensures that children have a place to learn the skills and values that winter sports offer. It’s rare to see a ski area fully managed by the local government, but Choei Yuda proves that such a model is vital for providing access to winter sports in a rural area with low visitor numbers.

View from the top of the main slope at Choei Yuda. Source: Eliot Cochrane

Weather and snow conditions

Situated along the Waga River and surrounded by the peaks of the Ou Mountain Range, Choei Yuda receives substantial snowfall. In years of regular snowfall, skiable coverage can last until April. However, while the snow may persist, the staff’s seasonal contracts end much earlier, resulting in the ski area’s closure in the first half of March.

The Yumoto Onsen area en route to Choei Yuda. Image: Eliot Cochrane

From December to March, wind closures are rare as lift holds can be counted on one hand. Snowfall is consistent, averaging five days per week from mid-December through early March. Even when there hasn’t been fresh snowfall, the groomed conditions remain solid and predictable.

Mountain layout

Choei Yuda features a single trail serviced by two lifts, with a vertical drop of 131 meters and a length of 820 meters.

The bottom of the drag lift (bolar lift) at Choei Yuda. Image: Eliot Cochrane

The lower drag lift, designed for beginners and children, is completely free to use. As a municipally funded area, the primary focus is to introduce kids to snow sports at no cost, allowing them to continue affordably if they develop an interest.

The double chairlift, accessible via a traditional lift ticket purchased at the lodge and restaurant near the main road, is a surprising feature for a municipally funded ski hill. While slow, it offers a perfect recovery time between runs for those who want to ski all day. However, skiers should note that the lift lacks safety bars.

Riding the double chairlift at Choei Yuda. Image: Eliot Cochrane

Years ago, another trail was open but was permanently closed following a fatal accident. Since then, it has tempted many skiers with untouched powder, though venturing into it is strictly prohibited.

Off-Piste opportunities

There is no hikeable terrain or designated tree skiing at Choei Yuda. The closed second trail looks inviting, but those who give in to the temptation run the risk of having their passes revoked. Due to insurance policies, staff strictly enforce safety rules with a no-tolerance attitude.

Local rider surfing the fresh powder at Choei Yuda. Image: Eliot Cochrane

That said, local kids often shape small jumps and explore any available side hits along the single trail. Nearly a third of the slope remains ungroomed for a few days after each snowfall from December to late February, offering knee-deep powder and, on rare occasions, even waist-deep snow. On weekdays, the slope is often empty, with only on-piste skiers and local school children learning to ski.

“On stormy days, when many locals opt to stay indoors, you can ski fresh powder all day without seeing another skier.”

Why Choei Yuda?

Choei Yuda is a small hill with just one trail. Aside from the local ski school on Sundays and morning race training sessions, it often feels like a private ski area. On stormy days, when many locals opt to stay indoors, you can ski fresh powder all day without seeing another skier. With major Tohoku ski areas drawing increasing crowds in recent years, this quiet, uncrowded experience has become a rarity.

Rest House Yunosawa parking lot in front of Choei Yuda. Image: Eliot Cochrane

If you enjoy a peaceful day on the slopes, this is the place to be. The upper section may feel a bit narrow, and the lower portion steeper than expected, but it offers just enough variety to keep skiers engaged throughout the day. The slow chairlift provides ample time to rest, check your phone, or change your playlist before heading back down again without missing a beat.

Where to stay

Furusato Ryokan

Entrance to Furusato Ryokan at night. Image: Furusato Ryokan

In the Yugawa area of Nishiwaga, ryokans line the winding road. Ranging from expensive, VIP-oriented establishments to simple, charming places that somehow stay in business despite their modest offerings. Furusato Ryokan strikes the perfect middle ground, having been recently remodeled while maintaining a warm, hospitable atmosphere.

Outdoor bath facing the Koonigase River at Furusato Ryokan. Image: Eliot Cochrane

The ryokan prides itself on seasonal cuisine yet can accommodate dietary restrictions with advance notice. A highlight of the recent renovation is the new outdoor bath, while some rooms feature private mini-onsens on exterior decks for guests seeking more privacy. With its blend of modern amenities and traditional hospitality, Furusato Ryokan hopes to leave guests with a memorable experience.

Local Cuisine – Biscuit Tempura (ビス天)

Biscuit tempura, nicknamed “bis-ten,” may not have deep historical roots in Nishiwaga, but in recent years, it has become a beloved local delicacy served at celebrations and holidays. Made by coating biscuits in a lightly sweetened tempura batter before frying them, bis-ten is best enjoyed fresh.

Popular Nishiwaga cuisine, biscuit tempura (ビス天). Image: Furusato Choice

Because it’s not widely available, only a handful of places serve it fresh. One of the easiest places to try biscuit tempura is at the Roadside Station Kinshuko on Route 107 between Kitakami and Nishiwaga. The rest stop also offers other regional foods and souvenirs. A single piece of bis-ten costs 150 yen.

Entrance to Roadside Station Kinshuko. Image: Eliot Cochrane

Getting to Choei Yuda

Road that leads to Choei Yuda. Image: Eliot Cochrane

BY CAR

Take the highway to the Yuda IC exit, then drive five minutes to the ski area. Navigation may be required, as signage is limited until you’re nearby.

BY BUS/TAXI

Buses from Hotto Yuda Station depart around 8:30 and 10:30 AM. The five-minute ride to Choei Yuda costs 100 yen. Taxis are also available at the station, costing approximately 1,200 yen, though they may not accommodate skis.

Who is Choei Yuda For?

Overlooking from the midway pitch change at Choei Yuda. Image: Eliot Cochrane

Choei Yuda isn’t for those chasing long runs or extensive terrain. Instead, it’s a small, community-driven ski hill that captures the essence of local skiing in Japan. It’s a place where kids take their first turns, local racers train in the mornings, and solitude-seeking skiers can carve tracks without the crowds. Thanks to municipal funding, it remains one of the most affordable and accessible options for local families and beginners.

For those who appreciate a laid-back skiing experience, Choei Yuda offers a level of tranquility that’s hard to find at larger resorts. While the terrain is limited, fresh snow days can transform this modest hill into an unexpected playground. The slow double chairlift provides a chance to rest, check your phone, or simply soak in the peaceful surroundings.

View from the top of the main slope at Choei Yuda. Image: Eliot Cochrane

Ski Asia’s Tiny Resorts series is a tribute to the ~85% of ski resorts in Japan with fewer than five lifts – the heart and soul of the country’s ski industry. The series was inspired by the popularity of an article we published in 2023, titled “5 tiny Japanese ski resorts that you’re guaranteed to fall in love with“.