No Skis? No Problem: Alternative Winter Activities in Gunma

Gunma’s ski resorts aren’t only for skiers and snowboarders. Many also offer snow-play areas where families and those who’d rather skip the slopes can enjoy the snow in safe, playful ways.

At Tambara Ski Park, there are gentle slopes where kids and adults alike can try snow tubing and sledding. Children who are more comfortable on bikes can hop on a Snow Strider—an easy-to-use snow bike for two- to five-year-olds with skis under its wheels. Kusatsu Onsen Ski Resort sits right beside one of Japan’s most famous hot spring towns. In winter, visitors can enjoy a soak in the steaming baths in town after a day of fun on the slopes. The Tenguyama Kids’ Park section of the resort offers tubing, sledding, and inflatable castles with slides for little ones. For bigger thrills, the 500-meter BanZip TENGU zipline and 10-meter-high SKY-SWING let riders soar through the air, with views over Kusatsu Onsen town and the mountains beyond—including Mt. Fuji on clear days.

Families with younger children can head to Katashina Ogna Hotaka Snow Resort, which has a Kid’s Park near the entrance that offers a convenient and safe environment suitable for a child’s first time playing in the snow. The Rock’n Kids area of Oze-Iwakura Ski Resort offers tubing, sledding, and Snow Striders. Both resorts provide space for simple snow play—like building snowmen or rolling in the snow—and feature snow escalators to make it easier for little ones to get uphill. For a more relaxing outing, Fujiwara Snow & Spa Resort combines gentle snow play with the chance to unwind in a public hot spring at the base hotel. Minakami Kogen Ski Resort also has a kid-friendly area with many age-appropriate activities.

All resorts provide on-site rentals for sleds, inflatables, helmets, and winter gear, with staff on hand to ensure proper fitting. Activities can be booked online or on the day on-site. Some places require advance reservations, so make sure to check such details before you go. Many resorts offer package deals that combine lift tickets with snow play access, ensuring every member of the family can join in the fun.

Gunma’s mountains take on a new magic in winter, when snow transforms them into breathtaking white landscapes. Ropeways and gondolas make these views accessible without strenuous exercise, offering a chance for everyone to enjoy the scenery.

Rising above the hot spring town of Minakami in northern Gunma, Mt. Tanigawa (1,977 m) affords fantastic views of the region. The Tanigawadake Joch ropeway whisks visitors partway up the mountain at 1,300 meters. Near the ropeway station, the restaurant View Terrace Tenjin serves hot drinks and seasonal foods to warm up with. From there, it’s another short lift ride to around 1,500 meters for sweeping vistas of the surrounding peaks and winter landscape. For those who like to snack while they travel, the Tanigawadake Joch ropeway operates a reservable meal car during the winter months in which seasonal menus are served. Please note that the ropeways and lifts operate seasonally and might not be available to use for reasons such as the weather, so it is best to check beforehand.

Also in northern Gunma, the Mt. Nikko-Shirane Ropeway at Marunuma Kogen carries passengers 2,000 meters up the slopes of Mt. Nikko-Shirane (2,578 m), one of the highest peaks in the Kanto region. The ride reveals snow-covered ridgelines and Lake Marunuma shimmering below.

Another ride with lake views can be found in the outskirts of the city of Takasaki. From the shores of Lake Haruna, the Harunasan Ropeway by Hoshino Resorts ascends to the summit of Mt. Haruna (1,449 m). From the gondola, visitors can see the frozen lake, the Kanto Plain, and distant snow-dusted peaks. At the summit station, walking paths and an observation deck provide snowy panoramas, while the retro lakeside town on the western shore of the lake below has eateries and shops to explore.

For a truly unique experience, the Sunrise Gondola at Palcall Tsumagoi Resort runs early on select mornings (Wednesdays, weekends, and national holidays), with a 15-minute ride carrying passengers above fresh powder to witness the first light of day. At the top, riders can step off and watch the snowy landscape glow gold and pink as the sun rises. The experience is complimentary for hotel guests, while non-staying visitors can join for 3,000 yen.

Mountain weather can change quickly in winter, and ropeway operations may be suspended during high winds, heavy snowfall, or poor visibility. It is best to check the operating status before traveling, with updates available on each ropeway’s website. Summit stations are also much colder than the base, so warm, layered clothing is essential for a visit.

Minakami Kogen Ski Resort offers one of Gunma’s most adventurous lineups. Few winter experiences are as memorable as meeting a team of snow dogs and setting off by dogsled across snow-covered fields. Their dogsled program gives visitors the chance to greet the dogs, learn how the harnesses and sleds work, and then glide over the snow together. Some packages even allow guests to try guiding the sled themselves, complete with photo sessions.

Snowmobiles offer another kind of thrill, whether you take the controls yourself or ride with staff support. Kid-sized models let children from four to twelve drive on their own in special, closed-off tracks. Another option is snow rafting—an inflatable raft pulled across the snow by a snowmobile, like a banana boat on land. For something calmer, a snow tractor tour or the Snow Coach—a sled towed behind a snowmobile—provides a gentler ride across snowfields.

For descending slopes without skis, Minakami Kogen offers plenty of choices. Snow racers, sleds with bike-like steering handles, are a fun way for adults and children to ride down gentle hills in a controlled manner. Meanwhile, airboards have riders slide headfirst on a lightweight inflatable sled for a faster, more adventurous ride. Classic toboggans and other sleds round out the options, ensuring fun for everyone.

At Minakami Kogen, some activities require planning. Dogsledding and snowmobile programs must be reserved ahead of time due to limited slots. Other activities are more flexible and can be booked online or arranged on the day at the resort, making it simple to add winter fun to a trip in Gunma.