Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort (Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture; General Manager: Yuko Kageyama) is opening "Karupuri Snowland" on Saturday, July 11, 2026 — a midsummer snow play area built by applying the resort's artificial snowmaking technology.
Since opening Haruyama Ski Resort in the 1960s as Japan's first artificial-snow ski resort, Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort has spent decades refining its snowmaking know-how. The new "Karupuri Snowland" draws on that expertise, developed through winter slope operations, together with artificial snowmaking machines, to offer visitors a special chance to touch real snow even at the height of summer.
Inside the Snow House, "Karupuri Snowland" spreads about 100 square meters of artificial snow to a depth of roughly 20 centimeters, creating a limited-time area where guests can play in the snow regardless of outside temperature or weather. As heat waves continue to affect the country in recent years, the resort is pairing the naturally cool air of Karuizawa, at an elevation of about 1,000 meters, with the chill of real snow to create a new summer leisure option that both children and adults can enjoy.
Through this out-of-the-ordinary experience of encountering snow in midsummer, Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort hopes to give visitors a memorable way to spend the summer.
Behind the Summer Snowmaking
Of the eight snowmaking machines at the ski resort, one machine capable of producing about 50 tons of snow a day is used for the project.
Temperature, snow volume, and snow quality are checked daily to keep the snow at the right level.
"Karupuri Snowland" Overview
Using the snowmaking machines and know-how unique to an artificial-snow ski resort, this indoor area opens inside the ski center at Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort, letting visitors play in the snow even on the hottest days.
Dates: Saturday, July 11 to Sunday, August 30, 2026, and Saturday, September 5 to Sunday, September 27, 2026, on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (also open Thursday, September 24 and Friday, September 25)
Hours: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (last entry 3:00 PM)
Rates:
- 1-hour pass: adults ¥2,000 / children (age 3 through elementary school) ¥1,500 / under 3 free
- 1-day pass: adults ¥5,000 / children (age 3 through elementary school) ¥4,000 / under 3 free
Children of elementary school age or younger must be accompanied by a guardian.
Location: Inside the Snow House at Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort
More information: https://www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/karuizawa/informations/taiken_202607/
