Gunma Minakami Hodaigi Ski Resort is closing out the 2025–2026 season with a "Grand Gratitude Festival" on March 28 (Saturday) and 29 (Sunday), 2026. Three events are set to run simultaneously: a 1 million yen treasure hunt across the slopes, a special snowboard course showcase called "Free To Ride," and a curry speed-eating contest.
3rd Annual Treasure Hunt: 1 Million Yen in Prizes Hidden on the Slopes
For the third year in a row, "treasure wooden tags" will be hidden throughout the ski runs and around the Kids Land area. Each tag can be exchanged for prizes worth a combined total of 1 million yen, including next season's all-day season passes, single-day lift tickets, and overnight stays at Gunma Minakami Hodaigi Campground. The event has drawn enthusiastic crowds in both of its previous editions.
"Free To Ride" — A Special Snowboard Course Designed by Incoming Staff
On the final day of March 29 (Sunday), a specially designed course event called "Free To Ride" will be held at the main park in the Family Slope. The project was born from a presentation by OpenHouse Group's incoming hires and features a course shaped by fresh, student-led ideas. Professional snowboarder Atsushi Ishikawa of SCLOVER — active across media production and park supervision — collaborated on the course design to bring the concept to life.
"Curry Is a Drink" — Speed-Eating Contest on March 28
On March 28 (Saturday), a curry speed-eating contest will be held on the terrace in front of Hodaigi Shokudo, the resort's dining hall. The competition uses an original curry recipe developed especially for the event, designed to quickly recharge skiers and snowboarders after a day on the slopes. The winner takes home a grand prize.
About Gunma Minakami Hodaigi Ski Resort
Located about 2 hours and 30 minutes by car from central Tokyo (19 km, approximately 30 minutes from Minakami IC on the Kan-etsu Expressway), or roughly 2 hours from Tokyo Station by Shinkansen and connecting bus, the resort sits at a maximum elevation of 1,400 meters and is known for world-class powder snow. The slopes range from a 40-degree advanced course to gentle family-friendly terrain.
Recent additions include the "Earthboat Minakami Hodaigi," a private sauna-equipped outdoor hotel within the ski area where pets are welcome, a new tree-run area through the forest, and a renovated Snow Park supervised by Atsushi Ishikawa and his team SCLOVER. This season also saw the opening of a Dog Field, allowing guests to enjoy the resort alongside their dogs — over 1,000 dogs visited within the first two months alone.
Gunma Minakami Hodaigi Ski Resort
Website: https://hodaigi.jp/
Address: 3839-1 Fujiwara, Minakami-machi, Tone-gun, Gunma Prefecture 379-1721
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hodaigi.ski
