Shiki no Mori White World Oze Iwakura

Overview

Shiki no Mori White World Oze Iwakura is a ski resort located in Katashina Village, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture. Situated in a secluded area of the Numata and Joshinetsu areas, it sits on the southeastern slope of Nishiyama, on the northern ridge of Mount Nyuto. Its vertical drop and course area are among the largest in this region, contributing to its popularity. Having hosted the Gunma National Sports Festival three times, it features distinctive slopes, including expert courses that challenge even seasoned skiers. The 1900m-long Iwakura Gondola is central, offering a thrilling 697m vertical drop. While the upper section is steep, the lower section is gentler, making the summit accessible to beginners via the Milky Way course. The resort offers stunning views of Nikko Shirane and Akagi mountains, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the magnificent natural scenery. The base area retains the charm of a classic ski resort with several accommodations, notably the Iwakura Resort Hotel. The Oze Tokura Snow Park is located north of the main resort and is visible from the Milky Way course. Snowboarding is permitted across the entire area. The resort provides a wide variety of courses, from expert courses (upper section with a 40-degree slope and ungroomed snow) to intermediate courses (which hosted the National Sports Festival), and the 2.9km-long Milky Way course offering a long cruise. This diverse selection caters to all levels, from beginner to expert, ensuring an enjoyable day for everyone. The Nishiyama slopes, located behind the main slopes, are north-facing, allowing for spring skiing into April. These slopes offer stunning views of Mount Nyuto. However, please note that cellular reception is limited on Nishiyama slopes. Careful arrangements should be made for meeting up with others. While a snow park was available after the snowboarding season began in previous years, currently (2018) there is no dedicated park, with waves only being created on the Milky Way course depending on snow conditions. Facilities include the Iwakura Gondola base station/information center, Iwakura Resort Hotel, base area hotels/restaurants/onsen (hot springs - day use available), Iwakura House, on-slope accommodations, Okta/Berg, mid-mountain restaurant/ramen shop, Horn (restaurant at the foot of Nishiyama, closed on Thursdays), La Saison, White Square, and Mont Blanc (base area restaurant/cafe/shop), along with several locally run lodges and eateries.