Five ski resorts in Niigata Prefecture operated by Smile Resort Co., Ltd., a group company of Hospitality Operations Co., Ltd., have started selling early-bird lift tickets at lower than regular prices ahead of the 2026-2027 winter season. The tickets are sold through the official online service Smile Ticket and cover Maiko Snow Resort and Muika Snow Resort in Minamiuonuma City, Yuzawa Nakazato Snow Resort in Minamiuonuma District, Cupid Valley in Joetsu City, and Ninox Snow Park in Shibata City.
How Smile Ticket Works
With Smile Ticket, lift tickets can be purchased online from a smartphone. After purchase, a QR code is issued, and it can be used to pick up the lift ticket at locations such as the automatic ticket machines at each resort. Buying in advance saves the trouble of purchasing a ticket on the day, so skiers can head straight to the slopes. Because the early-bird prices are lower than the regular prices, they are also a good option for anyone planning a winter outing or ski trip on a budget.
The operating dates for the 2026-2027 season have also been set. Each of the five resorts has its own appeal, from varied courses and mountain scenery to slopes the whole family can enjoy.
Early-Bird Lift Ticket Prices
Maiko Snow Resort (Minamiuonuma City)
Early-bird sale period: Through December 18, 2026 (Fri)
- 1-Day Pass, Adult: regular ¥7,300 → early-bird ¥4,600
- 1-Day Pass, Elementary school student: regular ¥3,600 → early-bird ¥2,800
Official Website: https://www.maiko-resort.com/winter/
Yuzawa Nakazato Snow Resort (Minamiuonuma District)
Early-bird sale period: Through December 18, 2026 (Fri)
- 1-Day Ticket, Adult: regular ¥6,700 → early-bird ¥4,300
- 1-Day Ticket, Elementary school student: regular ¥3,400 → early-bird ¥2,000
Official Website: https://www.yuzawa-nakazato.com/winter/
Muika Snow Resort (Minamiuonuma City)
Early-bird sale period: Through December 23, 2026 (Wed)
- 1-Day Ticket, Adult: regular ¥5,600 → early-bird ¥3,900
- 1-Day Ticket, Elementary school student: regular ¥2,900 → early-bird ¥1,900
Official Website: https://www.muikamachi.com/ski/
Cupid Valley (Joetsu City)
Early-bird sale period: Through December 18, 2026 (Fri)
- 1-Day Ticket, Adult: regular ¥5,700 → early-bird ¥3,600
- 1-Day Ticket, Junior and senior high school student: regular ¥4,200 → early-bird ¥3,600
Official Website: https://www.yukidaruma-kogen.com/winter.html
Ninox Snow Park (Shibata City)
Early-bird sale period: Through December 16, 2026 (Wed)
- 1-Day Ticket, Adult: regular ¥5,200 → early-bird ¥3,200
- 1-Day Ticket, Elementary and junior high school student: regular ¥3,200 → early-bird ¥2,200
- Night Ticket: regular ¥3,000 → early-bird ¥2,000 (same price for adults and elementary and junior high school students)
Official Website: https://www.ninox.co.jp/
2026-2027 Season Operating Dates
- Maiko Snow Resort: December 19, 2026 (Sat) to March 28, 2027 (Sun)
- Yuzawa Nakazato Snow Resort: December 19, 2026 (Sat) to March 28, 2027 (Sun)
- Muika Snow Resort: December 24, 2026 (Thu) to March 28, 2027 (Sun)
- Cupid Valley: December 19, 2026 (Sat) to March 28, 2027 (Sun). Closed from March 23 (Tue) to March 26 (Fri), 2027.
- Ninox Snow Park: December 17, 2026 (Thu) to March 22, 2027 (Mon, holiday)
