Originally Posted by
LapLap
As you said, we will be going just before the resort squeezes out the last income of the year from the Golden week clients and closes for the season. Am not expecting optimum conditions
Wet snow it is then:
Wellies, good socks - fleece liners not required
Waterproof breathable trousers (over a very light base layer)
Waterproof breathable light coat over a couple of thin base layers.
Waterproof gloves.
Thin towels, full change of clothing with two sets of extra socks, swimsuit (for pool at onsen).
Cheers!
We just went to Gala in January. We got the so-called JR Kanto Area Pass with Gala Yuzawa option. That is a great option for most anyone going to Gala, because for 1000yen additional (on top of the Kanto Pass price), you get the free ride on shinkansen from Jomo Kogen to Gala station and plus it entitles you to a special discount price on the sled/boots/gloves/gondola all for roughly the regular price of the gondola ride alone.
Hard to say what the temp is going to be like, but it's best to be prepared... although you can rent a lot of the apparel there if you need to. I think it's always best to take your own stuff, though. In addition to what you list above, you might want to take one of those hats that cover the head+ears, scarf, ear muff, sunscreen. Don't get mad at me for taking too much if the day turns out to be sunny and warm! You can buy things like ear muff at Daiso for cheap. If the sun's peaking out, then you'll need sunglasses or goggles. I think I paid ~400yen to rent a pair of goggles at the hut at the top of gondola.
When you go for that sled/boots/gloves/gondola discount option (using your JR Gala option pass), you and your child will each be entitled to a sled of course. You might feel like just getting one sled for the two of you and declining the other. You're not going to save any more by turning it down so I would just take one sled each, just in case. With my 3yo, sometimes she wanted to ride together and sometimes she wanted to ride by herself (but next to me).
I wanted to get off at Echigo Yuzawa station on the way back and do some browsing before getting back on shinkansen. I got conflicting info as to whether/not you can do that. One JR person said yes, another said no.
ADDENDUM:
No need to take boots - yours or your child's. That's part of the aforementioned rental package. You'll change into their snow boots and leave your shoes in the locker at the Gala shinkansen station prior to boarding the gondola.