Lotte Arai Ski Resort + Luxury Ski Resort Japan

Lotte Arai Ski Ski Resort, aka Arai Snow Resort, is a luxury ski resort Japan that offers offers deep powder snow, extensive freeride terrain, and soothing hot springs.

Lotte Arai Ski Resort

Arai Snow Resort | Luxury Ski Resort Japan

Arai Snow Resort is one of Japan’s most legendary deep-snow destinations, renowned for its extraordinary annual snowfall of up to 18 meters. Rising to a summit elevation of 1,280 meters, the resort offers a vast and dramatic mountain landscape anchored by a longest continuous run of 7.0 km, delivering long, uninterrupted descents through some of the country’s most consistent powder conditions. 

Lotte Arai Ski Resort, Luxury Ski Resort Japan, Arai Snow Resort

Arai Snow Resort Information

Lotte Arai Ski Resort, Luxury Ski Resort Japan, Arai Snow Resort

Lotte Arai Ski Resort

Spanning a scale so expansive it could comfortably contain four Tokyo Disneylands, Lotte Arai Ski Resort feels more like a backcountry wilderness than a typical ski resort. Its layout is uniquely designed for exploration, with terrain that drops deep into natural valleys and forested slopes.

The resort features 14 diverse courses, ranging from steep advanced runs and rolling groomed sections to long scenic descents. For freeride enthusiasts, Arai is especially exceptional: 10 designated freeride zones offer access to controlled natural terrain, while approximately 84% of the mountain remains ungroomed, preserving the deep powder experience the resort is famous for.

With its combination of massive snowfall, varied terrain, and a strong emphasis on natural riding conditions, Arai Snow Resort stands as a premier destination for skiers and snowboarders seeking true powder adventure in Japan.

What’s different about Arai Snow Resort?

The goal of Lotte Arai Ski Resort is to be the premium mountain resort in Asia. The Lotte Arai Ski Resort was re-opened in 2017 after extensive refurbishment and updating. So if you are a budget skier, or someone used to cheaper prices at older resorts in Japan, then you may want to consider your total trip budget when doing your planning.

Lotte Arai Ski Resort is a genuine class above other Myoko ski resorts, and other Japan ski areas. Arai Snow Resort is a “Genuine Luxury Mountain Resort” in Japan, internationally recognized as one of Asia’s top-tier ski destinations. It was named Japan’s Best Ski Resort at the World Ski Awards 2020, highlighting its world-class facilities and experience.

Lotte Arai Ski Resort Stats

Ski Trails
Lifts / Gondolas
Freeride Zones
Steepest Slope
20 °
Longest run
2400 m

Arai Snow Resort: Weather Forecast

Lotte Arai Ski Resort: Ski Lift Prices

Type of ticketAdults

Child

Elementary School age

Older Child

Junior High age

Senior

60 years & over
1 Day
    
2 Days
    
3 Days
    
4 Hours
    
1 Lift Coupon
    
5 Lift Coupons
    
Season Ticket
    

Book Private Arai Transfer

Private van (up to 7 people)
¥ 60000

Lotte Arai Ski Accommodation & Area

There are a number of accommodation options in and near to Arai Snow Resort.  Arai resort itself is almost fully self contained with restaurants, activities, onsen hotsprings, gym and a small convenience store.

Outside the resort is a bucolic rural Japan setting with a choice of minpaku style accommodation such as Mahora or Arai Villa, but with little services so a car is required. There are accommodation options around the nearby Arai Road Station (including Soboku Hotel), which also houses many restaurants and convenience store, plus a farmer and seafood markets.

Visitors can also choose to stay in the well populated Arai township, at one of the numerous options surrounding JoetsuMyoko Station (like Toyoko Inn), or in Joetsu City itself, such as Ski Sea Japan House

 

Recommended Accommodation

Toyoko Inn JoetsuMyoko

Toyoko Inn JM

Toyoko Inn JoetsuMyoko is conveniently situated only one minute by foot from the east exit of Joetsu Myoko station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train line. It provides a perfect hub for skiing at Arai Resort (10-15 minutes by taxi or rental car) and other resort areas, as well as local tourist sites.

hotel soboku arai

Hotel Soboku

Hotel Soboku Arai is a modern, nature-focused accommodation in Arai, Niigata Prefecture, Japan. It features private cottage-style rooms with kitchens, terraces, and mountain views. Each unit includes a private sauna, offering a relaxing, “stay-and-unwind” experience close to ski areas and other attractions.

Snowy mountain ski resort at dusk with illuminated slopes and buildings in the foreground.

Arai Resort Hotel

Lotte Arai Resort Hotel offer elegant, upmarket ski accommodation with high-end service and friendly English speaking staff. Arai Resort features a large resort hotel complex with stylish western style accommodation set at the base of Arai ski and snowboard area with a full range of services.

Arai Ski Resort Videos

Getting to Lotte Arai

The resort at Arai is located 15 kilometres from JoetsuMyoko Station – about two hours from Tokyo on the bullet train. From JoetsuMyoko Station you can catch one of the free shuttles or a taxi.

For groups of 5+ there are private transfers available from Tokyo/airports which takes rough 5 hours inc. comfort stops and costs 130,000 one way. You can request a booking here.

If you are staying in the Myoko Kogen resorts area a Myoko-Arai shuttle service is available twice a day between Akakura Onsen / Arai Resort and takes roughly 60 minutes. Some Myoko accommodation providers offer a shuttle service. Ask when booking.

Rental cars are available from JoetsuMyoko Station if you are staying in nearby Arai accommodation rather than at the resort.

Arai Snow Resort Zipline

Arai Zipline at Lotte Arai Resort is one of Japan’s longest zipline experiences, stretching across dramatic mountain valleys at Arai Myoko. Riders glide high above forests, rivers, and ski slopes, enjoying panoramic alpine views. It operates seasonally and offers an adrenaline-filled experience that complements skiing, snowboarding, and other resort adventure activities.

Lotte Arai Ski School

Arai Snow Resort Ski School

Myoko Snowsports Arai offer a variety of private lessons and children’s group programs at this Joetsu-Myoko ski school to match your snow holiday experience. All programs are run in English by qualified instructors.

Lotte Arai Ski Rentals

Ski school, Lotte Arai Ski Resort, Luxury Ski Resort Japan, Arai Snow Resort

Ski equipment rentals for Lotte Resort are available at Salomon Station at the gondola base. In addition to a great range of Salomon products there is also various other high-end brands and models offered. Open 8.00Am – 8.00PM

Maps

Area and Piste maps for Arai Snow Resort

Ski Trail Map
Lotte Arai Rules

Reviews of Arai Snow Resort

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