This is a series introducing ski resorts that are members of the Sustainable Resort Alliance (SRA), initiated by POW, and are actively working to address climate change and sustainability. First up is Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort, which was featured last year with the launch of STEEP's new "THINK SNOW" corner. It introduced the resort as the first snow resort in Japan to establish an SDGs department and is taking a leading role in tackling climate change. A year has passed since then, and we followed up on the current state of Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort, which has further evolved
A pioneering initiative
HAKUBA VALLEY, Japan's leading ski area, is made up of 10 ski resorts, but Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort is known as the leader of Hakuba. It is
actually run by two companies, with Happo-One Development Co., Ltd. being one of them. It was the first ski resort in Japan to set up an SDGs department and has been more advanced in its efforts than any other. It has already achieved a 100% switchover of its lifts to renewable energy, and it endorsed POW's activities and formed a partnership with them as early as 2020.
The progress of Japanese ski resorts toward sustainability cannot be discussed without mentioning Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort. In
April 2023, when "THINK SNOW" was launched at STEEP, we visited Akimoto Hideki, who oversees the SDGs Marketing Department at Happo-One Development Co., Ltd., and introduced them to their efforts toward the SDGs. Here's an overview of what they did.
● Lifts operated by Happo-One Development Co., Ltd. to switch to renewable energy from the 2020-21 winter season
● Disseminating SDG initiatives to over 10,000 registered users of online lift ticket sales via newsletter
● Setting up SDG panels to raise awareness within the company
● Holding environmental seminars
● Interview survey on environmental issues
● Switching facility lighting to LED
● Lift ticket recycling
● Installation of bio-toilets
● Summer study trip program on the theme of SDGs
etc
Then, in April of the 2013-2014 season, Happo-One Development Co., Ltd. was able to switch all 13 of its routes to renewable energy. This was achieved in just three years, and it became a hot topic in the snow industry
For more details, click here!
A year has passed since then. Has there been any progress or change in the initiative?
We asked Akimoto again about his expectations for SRA.
Looking back on the past year
"Currently, 72% of Happo-One Ski Resort as a whole has switched to renewable energy. With multiple companies involved in the operation, it is quite difficult to switch completely to renewable energy, but we have already completed switching to 100% renewable energy for our own lifts. If we include all of our other businesses, such as our hot spring facilities, we are about 80% decarbonized. The remaining part is an insurmountable problem due to issues with electricity prices and technical challenges. I
think the only way to overcome the price issue is to reduce the electricity we use and save on labor. The other option is to generate our own power. We are considering working with the local government to generate small-scale hydroelectric power, and are continually exploring ways to do so."
Akimoto-san explained that his vision has broadened to include the development of natural energy sources, and he has already begun to take action
Educational trip SDGs program and "My Mountain"
"In terms of notable changes over the past year, perhaps the most notable is our efforts at schools. Two female staff members from the SDGs department have planned a program to learn about the SDGs through school trips, with the theme of activities to protect Hakuba's vegetation
In Hakuba, there is an area called "serpentine" that stretches from the foot of the Happo Ridge to an altitude of 2,000m. There, a rare vegetation reversal phenomenon occurs: plants that normally grow in high mountains at altitudes of 2,500m or more can be found in lower areas of the Happo Ridge, from Kurobishi-daira to Happo-ike Pond. In other words, it is a rare environment where alpine plants can grow at low altitudes
This is something that the local people have always treasured. The people of Hakuba have boundless affection and pride for this beautiful and rare "our mountain." We want more people to know about the strong desire and enthusiastic activities of the people of Hakuba to protect "our mountain." Requests for such experiential nature learning school trips have gradually increased, and the trips have gotten on track and are gradually becoming profitable
The two female staff members in the SDGs department are now able to speak with confidence about their efforts, and the SDGs perspective has been applied to other work, giving them new perspectives. This is another welcome outcome."
These are the educational materials for the SDGs educational trip program.
Hakuba's unique natural environment and rich vegetation are carefully introduced, and then issues threatening the natural environment, such as climate change, are explained from the perspective of the SDGs. It's very easy to understand! It's a wonderful content that will pique your interest and get you thinking about Hakuba's environmental issues.
If you click on the cover of the teaching materials you can view the contents, so please take a look
Trial implementation of "POW Ticket" will begin on February 20, 2024!
On February 20th, Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort began a trial introduction of the "POW Ticket," which had been under consideration by SRA. This is an astonishingly speedy move, less than three months after the launch of SRA in December 2023, and shows the strength of Happo, known as the king of Hakuba
The "POW Ticket" is a special ticket that adds a donation to the regular one-day lift ticket. The 300 yen donation will be used for the ski resort's sustainability efforts, so by purchasing this POW ticket you can directly support the ski resort's efforts
Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort plans to use donations from users to maintain the resort's forests
The official website states, "Maintaining a rich forest environment promotes photosynthesis and increases the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed. Reducing carbon dioxide emissions helps prevent global warming and landslides, and maintaining the forest will ensure the safety of ski courses while also creating a tree-running area."
In addition, ski resorts that join the SRA and introduce the POW ticket in the future will be required to publicly announce how donations are used and the results. It will be exciting to see how the actions of each individual who contributes through the POW ticket will be returned to the environment
There are also more accessible ways for individuals to show their support. POW is currently running a "One-Click Support" campaign. Information is posted at the end of this page, so please take part
Current issues and the potential for SRA to solve them
Currently, the number of tourists from overseas is visiting Hakuba at a rate exceeding that before the COVID-19 pandemic, and overtourism is occurring. The issue of waste in particular is a thorny problem. Akimoto says,
"Customers who are aiming for green ways of skiing and playing, with the awareness that we should all work together to protect this precious nature, will connect through SRA. I think it would be interesting to create an awareness that allows people to choose where to ski next within the green ski resorts that participate in SRA, and to create a system for people to move around."
Customers who want to work together to achieve what we are trying to achieve with POW will realize their own sustainability together with the ski resort. I think that could be a shortcut to solving the current waste problem, for example. I was wondering if the alliance could go in that direction. Highly conscious customers will gather at green ski resorts and each will take sustainable initiatives. I hope that this kind of 'loyal customer' will grow through the alliance
He truly is a pioneer. Akimoto's ideas are exactly the future of the sustainable resort alliance that POW hopes for. The alliance will serve as a base for increasing loyal customers, creating a lively circulation, and linking them with resorts will further expand the circle of initiatives.
To make this day possible, what can we do as users, taking this issue personally?
The next time you go skiing, why not plan your snow trip with a green ski resort in mind?
the person who taught me
Hideki
Akimoto
Executive Officer, Head of Sales and Management Division, Happo-one Development Co., Ltd.
Born in Tokyo, he has worked in the food and beverage industry and trade before moving to Hakuba in 1998.
He moved here in 2005
and became the head of sales in 2015.
In 2016, he became an executive officer, overseeing the management and sales departments. He currently serves as vice president of the Happo-One Tourism Association, working to revitalize the region.
Information Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort
◆ Official website: https://www.happo-one.jp/
◆ Official social media: Instagram | Facebook | X (formerly Twitter) | YouTube
Interview cooperation: Happoone Development Co., Ltd., POW JAPAN
Support with one click! Campaign ~ until the end of March!
I want to continue skiing on my home slope or at my favorite ski resort where I have fond memories.
Let's support your special ski resort to become a green ski resort by working on "decarbonization and sustainability"!
POW JAPAN will propose membership in the "SUSTAINABLE RESORT ALLIANCE" to the "ski resorts you want to support" that you answered in this campaign, and support for decarbonization and sustainability.
＞ Click here to
Ski resorts to be featured in the upcoming series (planned)
: Able Hakuba Goryu
, Katashina Kogen Ski Resort
, Smile Resort
, Tokyu Land Corporation
Information POW JAPAN
◆Official website: https://protectourwinters.jp/
◆Official SNS: Instagram ｜ Facebook ｜ YouTube