Minamiuonuma City in Niigata Prefecture, known for its heavy snowfall, is implementing an experiential program aimed at expanding its network of people connected to the area. The
program, themed "Skiing in a Snow Country," is a unique Minamiuonuma City project that combines a backcountry tour with an exchange event with local residents.
A winter sports mecca with nine ski resorts
Minamiuonuma City boasts nine ski resorts within its boundaries, making it a rare snow location in Japan. When a winter pressure pattern develops, it's not uncommon for snowfall to exceed one meter overnight.
However, with advancements in road and household snow removal technology, life is no longer as inconvenient as it once was. For snow lovers, it's the perfect environment, where you can enjoy powder skiing first thing in the morning before going to work, and then head out for some night skiing after work—such a daily routine exists here.
The field on that day exceeded all expectations
Participants must apply online in advance, and after coordinating with the organizing committee and arranging rental gear, the day of the event arrives. The guides for this program are locals who have actually moved to Minamiuonuma City, and they will share the various charms of the area through their own experiences
The meeting place was chosen by the guide beforehand based on the snow conditions, and on this day it was the Muikamachi Hakkaisan Ski Resort.
Normally, guide companies often ski in managed areas leased from the Forest Management Office, but this time, because there had been no snowfall the day before, we took an extremely adventurous route, skiing down the area behind the ropeway all the way to the village at the foot of the mountain. Since we would be skiing off-piste, we submitted a climbing permit, and after the ski resort patrol and guide conducted thorough safety checks, we set off.
On the ropeway, participants chatted about their individual "connections to Minamiuonuma" as they made their way to the summit in a friendly atmosphere. After a 20-minute hike from the summit station, a spectacular view unfolded before us, stretching from Mount Hakkai to the Sea of Japan.
Our guide shared a variety of stories about snow, from mountains in Tohoku such as Mount Zao and Mount Chokai, to the Northern Alps and mountains in Niigata.
And then, it's time to slide
The snow on the shaded slopes, chilled by radiative cooling after the snowfall two days prior, was surprisingly light. The conditions were so perfect that I couldn't help but wonder, "Is this really Niigata?"
A roughly 2km powder run down a large, relatively flat ravine, allowing you to ski at speed. As we approached the final safe zone, the guide played the "Indiana Jones theme" from the speaker, bringing smiles to everyone's faces
After passing through the cedar forest and safely crossing a small stream (which was actually a waterfall), we arrived at the village road. We all boarded the arranged minibus and returned to the Hakkaisan Ropeway
The get-together will be held at the cafeteria of "Hakkai Brewery"
We returned to the ski resort at exactly 12 o'clock. After taking commemorative photos with Mount Hakkai in the background, we moved to the venue for the social gathering. The venue was "Minna no Shokudo," run by Hakkai Brewery, known for its sake "Hakkaisan."
Each participant shared their impressions of the experience and talked about how they would like to be involved with Minamiuonuma City in the future. From what we heard, many participants were already supporting Minamiuonuma City through "furusato nozei" (hometown tax donation), and some even said they visit every week with their families.
The term "related population" might sound complicated, but essentially it means "becoming a fan of Minamiuonuma"—that's what I realized after participating
Experiencing this program made it very clear why Minamiuonuma City has been so keen to attract people who love snow and the outdoors to relocate there
It is also planned to be held in fiscal year 2026
A similar program is scheduled to be held again in fiscal year 2026. If you want to experience the true essence of Minamiuonuma, you should definitely participate
Minamiuonuma City Official Website:https://www.city.minamiuonuma.niigata.jp/