Overview
Miyagi Zao St. Mary Ski Resort was a ski area at the eastern foot of the Zao mountains in Kawasaki, Shibata District, Miyagi Prefecture. Beyond winter snow sports, from September 2018 it also operated a full summer slope surfaced with dry-ski matting (plasnow), making it a rare place where you could ski even in the snowless season. It was run by Yurauz Co., a designated manager appointed by the town of Kawasaki, and was long loved as a community-rooted slope. However, it closed after the 2023-2024 season, so it no longer operates; if you plan to visit the site, please check current details with official sources.
Highlights
- ●A slope set at the eastern foot of the Zao range in Kawasaki
- ●A full plasnow summer slope introduced in September 2018
- ●The rarity of skiing in two seasons: winter snow and summer matting
- ●Local operation by Yurauz Co., Kawasaki's designated manager
History
Opened on the slopes of the Zao range, St. Mary Ski Resort was operated by Yurauz Co., the designated manager for the town of Kawasaki. Not content with winter skiing alone, in September 2018 it introduced a summer slope laid with dry-ski matting, drawing attention as a place to practice skiing and snowboarding even without snow. Amid changing conditions, however, it was discontinued after the 2023-2024 season. As a place where one could once glide across the slopes throughout the year, its story lingers in local memory.
Access
The resort stood in Kawasaki, Shibata District, Miyagi Prefecture (roughly around 38.2 degrees north, 140.5 degrees east), on the eastern foot of the Zao mountains. Visitors typically arrived by car from the Sendai area or the Tohoku Expressway. Since operations have ended, please confirm road conditions and whether the area can be entered with the town of Kawasaki or official information before visiting.
Best season
When it was in operation, deep winter was the peak season for snow skiing, while the summer plasnow slope let you ski even in the warmer months. As the resort is now closed, skiing visits are no longer possible, but the Zao foothills are beautiful with fresh spring greenery and autumn colors, so the surrounding scenery still rewards a spring-to-autumn drive.
Map
38.2181, 140.5167 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1First confirm the site's current status and access with Kawasaki town or official sources
- 2Enjoy the mountain scenery on a drive around the eastern foot of Zao
- 3Stop by nearby nature spots or hot springs around Kawasaki
- 4Round off the trip by heading back toward Sendai or the Tohoku Expressway
Did you know?
💡 St. Mary's defining feature was pairing a winter snow slope with a genuine summer slope surfaced in dry-ski matting. Facilities that let you practice skiing in the snowless season are limited nationwide, and this made it a valued spot at the foot of Zao where you could engage with snow sports across all seasons.
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