After competing in World Cup races, Kenta Uraki returned to the snow in 2018 as head coach of the All Japan Alpine Team. The following year he moved to Innsbruck, Austria, and is now the exclusive distributor of Kessle Ski in Japan. From a global perspective from overseas, he will be bringing you the latest information and interesting topics on European snow culture, gear, and technology
Austrians Enthralled by Skiing
In 2018, he became head coach of the All Japan Alpine Team, and in August 2019, he moved with his family to Innsbruck, Austria. His aim was to not only strengthen his athletes, but also to establish a base for activities. Innsbruck, where the Austrian Ski Federation is also based, is well-equipped with storage for team vehicles and luggage, as well as facilities for physical training in between on-snow training, injury care, and rehabilitation, making it the ideal base for ski athletes and the team
Since coming here, perhaps because we have been traveling in a team car with "JAPAN TEAM" emblazoned in large letters on the body, whenever we go to a gas station people will ask us, "Are you the alpine team? Or the jump team?" And when we return home, it has become commonplace for our neighbors to ask us, "How was the race this weekend? I was watching it on TV."
The people who live here not only ski in the winter, but are also knowledgeable about World Cup skiing and ski athletes, and skiing has truly become a part of their lives
When asked what the most popular sport in Austria is, many people will answer "skiing," with alpine skiing being by far the most popular. The national broadcaster ORF broadcasts live skiing every weekend in winter. They mainly broadcast men's and women's alpine races, but also ski jumping, cross-country skiing, and many other snow sports. To compare it to Japan, it's easy to understand if you think of NHK broadcasting skiing on Saturdays and Sundays
In addition to watching the races on television, many spectators attend alpine ski races held in Austria. The men's slalom race in Schladming, held on a weekday evening, always attracts 50,000 spectators. Furthermore, despite Kitzbühel's location deep in the mountains, the downhill race attracts 100,000 spectators and many celebrities every year. After the race, the town remains bustling with activity, like a festival, until the next morning, demonstrating just how much alpine skiing is positioned as a major winter event
Men's ski jumping is also popular, with the four-hills tournament held in Germany and Austria over the New Year period attracting 10,000 to 25,000 spectators each day
Skiers are often featured on signs and advertisements around town, and even as mascots for beverage brands, and in the winter they frequently appear on TV commercials and talk shows. Just as baseball and soccer players are popular in Japan, skiers are widely recognized in Austria, and many children dream of becoming top skiers
In this way, skiing has taken root and become deeply ingrained in the culture and lives of the people of Austria throughout its long history, and it is no exaggeration to say that skiing is the national sport of Austria
The economic impact of alpine skiing is about 9 trillion yen!
The Alpine World Cup kicks off in Sölden, Austria, at the end of October. We often hear about glaciers shrinking due to rising temperatures, and Sölden is one of those ski resorts with a glacier. In recent years, due to the effects of rising temperatures and a lack of snow, the remaining snow from the previous year has been stored under sheets in preparation for the October race. When the temperature drops, the snow machines are put into full operation, ensuring a minimum race course just in time for the opening race
There has been a lot of opposition to this, with many saying that the opening race is too early. Environmental groups have also protested, citing the large amount of energy used to create artificial snow, which is said to be a factor in global warming, and the damage caused to glaciers by the construction of the race course a few years ago
Furthermore, athletes have expressed opposition to the idea, citing the fact that the opening race is too early, meaning that full-scale on-snow training would have to begin in midsummer or even earlier.
Disadvantages include the increased physical strain associated with a higher risk of injury during the long winter season, as well as the increased financial burden of hotel fees, lift fees, and course fees for long-term ski training on glaciers from summer through autumn. Due to the recent lack of snow and shrinking glaciers, athletes' training environments from summer through autumn have become increasingly concentrated in one location. Furthermore, rising prices mean that the cost of summer ski training continues to soar.
With so many issues like these, what is the purpose of holding the opening round of the Alpine World Cup in Austria at the end of October? It is said that the answer has a large political component.
Tourism, centered on skiing, plays a major economic role in Austria, and in winter many tourists flock to the country, primarily from Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, the Czech Republic, Italy, and Switzerland, and in recent years from the Middle East and Asia, in search of the ski resorts that have made their mark through the World Cup and the large-scale ski resorts with their rich history and traditions.
data from the Austrian Statistical Office , the added value of the tourism industry in Austria reached 58.7 billion euros (approximately 9.979 trillion yen), accounting for approximately 13.1% of Austria's GDP. Incidentally, data from the "2023 Tourism White Paper" indicates that the added value of Japan's tourism industry is approximately 11 trillion yen, or about 2% of Japan's total GDP. For Austria, with a population of 9 million, less than one-tenth of Japan's, and a land area roughly the same size as Hokkaido, tourism is a core industry that supports the country.
As these figures show, the tourism industry, centered on skiing, is extremely important in Austria, and it makes perfect sense to use the opening round of the Alpine World Cup to promote ski tourism to neighboring countries. This is truly a national growth strategy, and Alpine skiing is one of the reasons why Austria has been able to develop its tourism industry so significantly
The appeal of the ski tourism city of Innsbruck
Innsbruck, where I live, is the capital of the state of Tyrol with a population of about 130,000 and is one of the world's leading ski tourism cities, attracting many skiers from all over the world. There is an international airport on the outskirts of the city, and convenient access is also a reason for its popularity, with it being just two hours by car to Switzerland and less than an hour to the German and Italian borders
Buses run from the city center to each ski resort, so in winter you'll see people carrying skis and walking around in ski boots throughout the city. The cityscape, mixed with office workers and regular tourists, is a sight you won't see anywhere else, and it's truly refreshing
It's not just tourists who enjoy skiing. For example, the rental apartment where I live is home to about 15 families, and there is a floor in the basement where each room has its own storage room. All the storage rooms are stocked with a full lineup of ski equipment for each family member, and there is even a ski tuning room that everyone can use
On weekends, it's common for families to go skiing. There's also the Freizeit Ticket, an annual pass that can be purchased only by local residents and allows skiing at 33 ski resorts in the state of Tyrol. This ticket isn't cheap, costing 700 euros for adults and 100-400 euros for children, but many locals buy it and head to ski resorts with their own unique features, not just the local one
Furthermore, each region has its own cross-country skiing course that can be enjoyed for free. Residents often enjoy easy access to the course, working up a sweat while enjoying the beautiful scenery, and relaxing in a mountain hut beside the course
The appeal of summer mountain life surrounded by nature is also evident, attracting many tourists to Innsbruck throughout the year. Mountain climbing is one of the city's important tourist attractions, and local residents also love it. Looking at the social media accounts of my friends who live in Innsbruck, I see that many of them go mountain climbing several times a week
Cycling is also popular, with bicycle paths being provided everywhere. Nowadays, there are even electric-assisted sports bicycles, so older people are trying their hand at mountain climbing by bicycle. Even if you're not into sports, you can take the gondola up the mountain, have lunch, take a walk, and enjoy the mountains at your own pace. And when you get back down to the city, the magnificent view from Innsbruck, surrounded by mountains, is soothing to the soul
Furthermore, compared to neighboring countries, Austria has well-maintained roads and a comprehensive public transportation system, including buses and trains. Furthermore, cooperation with agriculture and forestry allows the grass on the mountainside to be maintained, and ski resorts maintain beautiful scenery even in the snowless summer. Many animals, including cows, horses, sheep, and chickens, are grazing here, and while this sight is soothing, it also reveals the background behind the country's efforts to promote local production and consumption
Even during the period when borders were closed due to the coronavirus, there was no disruption in the supply of food to supermarkets, which gave me the sense of a national character that tries not to rely on other countries as much as possible
Furthermore, the hotels and accommodation facilities have a warm design, primarily made of wood, and blend into the city's urban and rural landscapes, creating an indescribable sense of security and comfort
Japan is in the spotlight right now! The keyword is "snow"
Austria has many attractions, but interestingly, Japan is currently attracting the attention of many European skiers
Europe has been suffering from a serious lack of snow in recent years. European skiers, however, have been contacting me frequently, seeking information about powder snow in Japan. It may seem odd that they would be interested in Japan, despite being surrounded by such magnificent, historic ski resorts, but this just goes to show how well-known Japan's snow and appeal as a tourist destination are around the world
I grew up in Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture. When I was a child, there were many times when I couldn't leave the house and go to school the morning after it snowed overnight. Although snow can sometimes cause inconvenience in daily life, this deep snow is something special, and it would be a waste if we didn't see it as an advantage on a national level and use it more to build the economic foundations of life. I hope that Japan can grow into a strong tourism nation that uses snow as a resource, like Austria
For that reason, I want more people in Japan to go to the snowy mountains and enjoy skiing and snowboarding! Skiing on Japan's powder snow is the ultimate luxury for skiers who are always looking for the finest snow