As spring arrives and the new leaves begin to sprout, the "Appi Telemark Fest," an event where you can enjoy the great outdoors of Appi while telemark skiing and "feel alive," will be held on the last weekend of March at the Appi Kogen Ski Resort in Iwate Prefecture.
This event consists of a "New Model Test Ride" and a "Skill Improvement Workshop & Technical Certification" led by Junya Kuragane, a member of the Education Department of the Telemark Ski Association.
The project is a collaboration between the long-established ski manufacturer "Blue Morris" and "Sports no Manzoku," a specialty store for mountaineering, skiing, and trail running equipment.
With a history of over 100 years since its founding in Aomori, Blue Morris has focused on creating skis that are perfectly suited to Japan's snow-covered mountains. They offer a wide range of products, from alpine racing and moguls to tours and snow hiking, and their appeal lies in their unique shapes born from free thinking that is not bound by conventional ideas.
Founded in Toyama 70 years ago, Sports Manzoku, a store specializing in mountaineering, skiing, and trail running equipment, is committed to supporting everyone who loves the mountains, and its experienced staff will recommend the best items for each season, from beginners to professional climbers
The venue is Appi Kogen Ski Resort, which has been developing its resort with the new concept of "Feeling Life" since 2022, aiming to become Japan's Switzerland. This unique event brings together
manufacturers and shops that have been seriously dedicated to Japan's mountains and mountain activities, and a ski resort that is globalizing with the aim of becoming an international resort, to offer an experience of feeling life through skiing. Live, ski, and what will you feel? Why not head to Appi this weekend and find out for yourself?
[Event Overview]
●New Model Test Ride Event
Date and Time: March 29th (Sat) - 30th (Sun), 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Venue: Appi Kogen Ski Resort
Fee: Free
How to participate: Fill out the application form on your smartphone on the day of the event.
▶Test Ride List
: Blue Morris
Asymmetric (170 or 179, NTN & 75mm, 6 models total),
Traditional (180, Metal & Normal & Scale, 3-pin, 5 models total),
Hakkoda RT (174 or 168, 75mm (Voile Switchback), 2 models total)
, Manzoku (NeoClassics Telemark Ski),
ZERO (188, 78-58-68, 3-pin, 4 models with different core materials and flexes),
Ken 2999 (188, 76-58-66.5, 3-pin, 3 models with different ash wood and flexes),
Yakushi 2926 (188, 76-58-66.5, 3-pin, 3 models with different poplar wood and flexes)
*75mm and leather boots available for rent in limited quantities and sizes.
●TAJ Technical Certification Preparation Lesson: Telemark Skill Up APPI
Date: Saturday, March 29th
Venue: Appi Kogen Ski Resort
Fee: 4 hours 14,300 yen (tax included)
●TAJ Japan Telemark Ski Association Certified Technical Examination Date and Time: March 30th (Sun) AM Pre-examination training session (Participation required for examination candidates) PM Examination Venue: Appi Kogen Ski Resort Fee: Pre-examination training session 1.5 hours 7,700 yen (tax included) Examination fee and certification fee are available on the TAJ website Accommodation: LODGE CLUBMAN [TAJ Examination Accommodation] plan available *Click here for application and inquiries
[Information]
Blue Morris Co., Ltd.
16-1 Fujisawa Taketatsu, Hiranai-machi, Higashitsugaru-gun, Aomori Prefecture 039-3361 Japan Official website: https://bluemoris.com/
Sports Manzoku
2-4-5 Sakuramachi, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture 930-0003 Official website: https://www.mnzk.com/
Appi Kogen Ski Resort,
028-7306
Appi Kogen, Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture
Official website:https://www.appi.co.jp/feel-alive/
Japan Telemark Ski Association
2146-1363
Nagakurasakashita, Karuizawa-machi, Kita-Saku-gun, Nagano 389-0111, Japan
Official website:https://www.telemarkski-association-japan.org/