Gassan Ski Resort (Summer Skiing)

Gassan Ski Resort, on the slopes of Mount Gassan near Nishikawa, is known for its unusually late season, typically running from late April into early July, making it one of the few places in Japan where visitors can ski on natural snow well into summer. The resort's terrain sits above the tree line on the mountain's snowfield, offering wide, mostly ungroomed open slopes rather than dense, tightly packed runs, with views across the surrounding Dewa Sanzan mountains on clear days. Because the season falls outside Japan's typical ski calendar, the resort draws a mix of dedicated skiers and snowboarders extending their season and curious visitors making a day trip to see summer skiing firsthand. A typical visit involves riding the lifts for a half day of skiing or snowboarding, with facilities including rental equipment and a base lodge; conditions can vary significantly day to day depending on temperature and recent weather, since the snowpack is naturally melting through the season. Late spring mornings offer the firmest, most consistent snow conditions before the day's warmth softens the surface, and the resort closes entirely once snow cover becomes insufficient, typically by early July.