Tourism Climate change and tourism woes hit Niigata's ski resorts

The resort posted a loss of 33 million yen ($219,000) in fiscal 2023, and Japan's chronic labour shortages and the deteriorating condition of ski lifts also contributed to its decision to close. Prefectural data shows ski resort and visitor numbers peaked in fiscal 1992, with 82 locations and 15.97 million guests. The decline in visitor numbers since has been attributed to Japan's shrinking youth population and diversifying leisure options. By fiscal 2023, visitor numbers had dropped to 3.73 million, less than a quarter of the peak figure. The number of ski resorts has fallen by 34% to 54, impacted by fewer operating days due to global warming and high maintenance costs. Not all 54 resorts are active. Six did not open their courses in fiscal 2023 due to insufficient snowfall and poor business conditions, and some have remained effectively closed for years.

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