Why do we get excited about skiing? The charm of snowy mountains that enriche your life

He once competed in World Cup races, and in 2018 he returned to the snow as the head coach of the All Japan Alpine Team. The following year, he moved to Innsbruck, Austria, and now Kenta Uraki is developing Kesleski as the general agent in Japan. He will deliver the latest information and interesting topics such as European snow culture, gear and technology from a global perspective from overseas.

For freedom on the snow

Skiing is a sport that has evolved over the last 100 years, where you glide down magnificent snowy mountains at speeds similar to those of a car using two skis. For those of us who rely on walking as our basic way of life, skiing is an extraordinary experience that is hard to find anywhere else

How many vehicles can a person travel at speeds of over 100km without an engine or power source? The moment you put on skis, you are freed from fear, even on cliff-like snowy slopes, and you can carve tracks freely on the snow. What's more, you fall with gravity, so there's no need to exert any extra force. Skis are the most superior vehicle on snow, and once you've fallen for them, it's hard to escape

That being said, it takes a fair amount of time and effort to become proficient at using skis. I myself grew up in an environment that allowed me to ski, so by the time I was old enough to understand, skis had become like an extension of my body. As I improved, I developed such a sensitive and delicate sense that I had the illusion that nerves ran from the tip to the tail of my skis, and I even began to feel as if I was directly touching the unevenness of the snow surface

Improving your skiing level is a process of making the skis a part of your body. The shortcut to doing so is to think for yourself, try things out, and build up new sensations while also receiving advice from others. When you feel that the skis are a part of your body and are able to entrust your weight to them without hesitation, skis will become the ultimate vehicle and give you freedom on the snow

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When I was four years old, I moved from Tokyo to Niigata, right in the middle of a ski resort. My parents' house was halfway up the Hatsukaishi slope at Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort, and the ski resort was just five meters from the front door. I loved skiing, so I was raised in the most luxurious environment possible. When I was in elementary school, I would head straight to the ski resort from school and keep skiing until the night lifts closed, and on weekends, even after the lifts had stopped running, I would put on my skis and play in the snow in front of my house

My skiing at that time included challenging races with friends, "make-believe" ski cross where we would build our own courses with jumps and banks, and little adventure skiing trips where we would leave the ski resort and continue skiing through forests or on uncharted terrain. In any case, I had the utmost fun trying new things, things that no one else had done, and experiencing small thrills

When he entered junior high school, he devoted himself to training, competing with others and aiming to win. He discovered the joy of learning technique, and spent his days striving to skate fast and stylishly, aiming to achieve results in the World Cup and the Olympics. All of the hard training was for the sake of achieving his goal, and the small successes he experienced when they led to results came back to him as great joy. He continued to hone his technique and stamina in pursuit of further progress, and was able to continue as an athlete until his late twenties. Needless to say, this experience had a major impact on his life thereafter

After retiring from racing, he traveled with a cameraman to the backcountry of Hakuba and Mt. Tateyama, as well as the United States, Austria, New Zealand, and Chile in South America to take photos. He climbed and skied down snowy mountains with no lifts, spending the whole day walking up and down each slope, and even in the harsh natural environment, climbing step by step, he wished that this time would continue forever

And now, I'm just a skier enjoying myself in Austria. For us, the excitement is at its peak when the morning after it snows is clear. Long lines form at the lifts even before the ski resort opens, and some people have smiles on their faces as they imagine themselves skiing, while others make video calls to friends and family to release their excitement. It's a truly blissful moment before the perfect day for a skier

My recent recommendation is cross-country skiing. It's easy and fun even for beginners, and it's not only less taxing on the body but also less financially. By skiing at your own pace while feeling the nature, you can have fun exercising and refresh your mind and body

There are also many skiers who are honing their skills thoroughly and taking exams to improve their skiing, as well as those who don twin-tip skis and head into the park to enjoy half-pipes and kickers. Until now, I'd wondered, "What exactly is the fun of skiing?" but it was difficult to put it into words. This is because there are countless ways to enjoy skiing, depending on your age, level, and environment. After moving to Austria and becoming a recreational skier, I realized once again that skiing is a lifelong sport that can be enjoyed in various forms

The appeal of snowy mountains is more than just skiing

During his time as a skier, he suffered many injuries and breakdowns, had three surgeries on both knees, ruptured Achilles tendons, and back pain, putting a lot of strain on his body, so he is still not in good health. Since becoming a recreational skier, he has limited the amount of skiing he does to a level that does not put strain on his body, and tries to enjoy things other than skiing

My routine is to go up to the mountain on a nice day, take a deep breath while looking at the view, and enjoy a few runs. Even just one long run would be fine. Afterwards, a beer at a mountain hut is a must! I also like to reflect on the day's skiing while enjoying local cuisine. After returning to my lodging or home, the best thing is a hot spring in Japan, or a pool and sauna in Europe

Another attraction is the spectacular view that unfolds before your eyes. The view from the snow-capped mountains is magnificent

These days, we spend a lot of time on our phones and computers, and our days are increasingly narrowed, without a broader view. Living in a city, buildings line the streets, making it difficult to see more than a few hundred meters ahead. When I used to live in Yokohama, I would go all the way to Minato Mirai and climb tall buildings just to see the distant scenery

I personally believe from personal experience that the quality of the information we receive through our eyes affects our physical condition. The scenery seen in the snowy mountains is sometimes beyond imagination, filled with emotion and excitement, and its grandeur can blow away any small worries you may have, making you feel more positive and giving you the motivation to take bold action

Of course, skiing itself is fun, but even if you only enjoy skiing casually, snow-capped mountains are a treasure trove of other attractions and excitement

A fantastical world created by snow

None of the stories we've discussed so far would have been possible without snow. However, snow is a precious resource born from nature that can only be seen or touched in limited areas of the world. The softly falling snow is truly magical, and the silvery white world that unfolds there is an other-dimensional space that cannot be experienced anywhere else. Snow is thought to generate negative ions, and the synergistic effect with the clean air soothes the soul. If you leave the hustle and bustle of the city and head out into the deep snowy fields, the snow drowns out the noise and you are enveloped in deep silence. It's like floating in outer space... Well, I've never been to space, but I imagine it's possible to experience a world just as special

These days, Japan is one of the world's snowiest countries, attracting many tourists seeking snow. It's a privilege for the Japanese to be able to experience up close the mountains covered in snow that can pile up to 1 meter overnight, and powdery snow. Skiing, which allows you to enjoy freedom in these snowy mountains, is an exciting and moving sport that can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of age. Let's enjoy skiing with enthusiasm again next season