Yokone

Yokone sits in southwestern Yamagata near the Niigata border and operates a compact but focused setup: a pair lift and a surface lift serving two courses and a signature 100-meter half-pipe. The mountain's real draw is that half-pipe, which runs daily from late morning through early afternoon and pulls snowboarders from both prefectures. The riding itself is low-angle and forgiving—good for progression and cruising, less so if you're chasing steep terrain or tree lines.

The resort runs day sessions from 9am to 5pm, with night skiing most evenings (Monday–Saturday, 5pm–9pm). Snowfall in the region can be inconsistent—the 2023–2024 season was lean enough to delay opening into late January—so check conditions before the drive. There's no rental shop, school, or on-mountain food beyond basics, and the town of Oguni is quiet. This is a local's hill, best suited for riders who value a focused half-pipe session or want a low-pressure place to work on fundamentals.