The Sustainable Resort Alliance (SRA) , which POW JAPAN has been promoting since 2013 , is a network of ski resorts aiming for zero carbon emissions and sustainability, and organizations that support their efforts. As previously introduced in detail in STEEP's " THINK SNOW ," one of its initiatives is the donation-linked lift ticket "POW Ticket," which was introduced last season. In the 2025-26 season, it will be introduced at four more ski resorts, bringing the total to 11 ski resorts nationwide.
What is "POW Ticket," an option for protecting yourself from winter?
With the POW Ticket, skiers and snowboarders can choose to make a donation when purchasing a lift ticket, with the entire donation going towards the sustainable measures of each ski resort. By purchasing a POW Ticket, skiers and snowboarders can directly support the ski resort's efforts to "protect winter" from climate change
The use of donated funds is made public in advance, and the amount donated and the results are disclosed after the season ends (last year's resultshere). In the 2024-25 season, a total of 1,196 skiers and snowboarders were supported, resulting in tangible results such as the introduction of renewable energy at ski resorts and forest maintenance.
Four new ski resorts will be introduced, expanding the number to 11 nationwide
This season, NayoroPiyashiri Ski Resort(Hokkaido),Amihari Onsen Ski Resort(Iwate),Katashina Kogen Ski Resort(Gunma), andTogakushi Ski Resort(Nagano) have decided to introduce POW tickets. Starting with 7 ski resorts in Nagano and Niigata, the second year of the program, it will be available at 11 locations across 5 prefectures nationwide, expanding the options for skiers.
Ski resorts that adopt the system will implement initiatives determined by each resort, such as switching to renewable energy for electricity used in ski resort operations, converting lighting to LED, increasing carbon dioxide absorption through appropriate forest management, and introducing processing machines that decompose food waste and are expected to reduce CO2 emissions
A "protect winter" movement created by ski resorts and skiers
Donations made through POW tickets are an action that allows skiers and snowboarders who want to continue skiing at their favorite ski resorts and who want to take action to protect winter from climate change to join forces with ski resorts that prioritize sustainability to protect sustainable "playgrounds." Here are some unique initiatives
For example, at Katashina Kogen Ski Resort, they plan to introduce a composting system that uses vegetable scraps and leftovers from cooking as fertilizer, which will bethe Miffy Farm. With the desire to bring this initiative to life together with guests enjoying the ski resort and the local community, the ski resort will contribute an amount equal to the collected donations, and they are planning a compost-making event that local children and POW ticket holders can participate in.
Additionally, Nayoro Piyashiri Ski Resort, the first in Hokkaido to introduce the POW ticket, will switch the electricity used by all guests on the No. 1 Pair Lift to renewable energy from December 2025 as a first step in its sustainable efforts
Amabari Onsen Ski Resort will celebrate its 60th anniversary in the 2025-26 season, and with the desire to continue the skiing environment for the next 60 years, the resort will hold the "Amabari Renewable Energy 100 Challenge Day" on "Ski Day" on January 12, 2026, when it will switch all electricity used on lifts to renewable energy on that day
Togakushi Ski Resort has been working on sustainable initiatives, such as introducing snow groomers that comply with strict exhaust emission regulations, switching some lifts to renewable energy, and opening a snow park utilizing thatch, a local resource . As a "ski resort in harmony with nature," in order to deliver rich natural experiences such as beautiful snow, quiet forests, and clean air to future generations, they will switch two more lifts to renewable energy for the 2025-26 season, boosted by donations through POW tickets.
Details of initiatives at each ski resort
| Ski resort name | Planned use of donations | Introduced ticket types |
| Nayoro Piyashiri Ski Resort (Nayoro City, Hokkaido) | Switch electricity usage for the first pair lift to renewable energy in December 2025 | Early bird adult season pass, early bird senior season pass (on sale from November 1st), online adult one-day pass, online senior one-day pass |
| Amihari Onsen Ski Resort (Shizukuishi Town, Iwate County, Iwate Prefecture) | On "Ski Day" on January 12, 2026, the resort will switch all lifts to renewable energy as part of the "Amihari Renewable Energy 100 Challenge Day." | 286 people / Ticket type: Season ticket (on sale from September 1st) and 1-day ticket/4-hour ticket on sale from January 12th, 2026, 282,000 yen |
| Katashina Kogen Ski Resort (Katashina Village, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture) | Katashina Highlands will contribute the same amount as the total donations, and hold a composting event to introduce composting, which will turn food waste into compost and grow delicious vegetables | All lift tickets |
| Maiko Snow Resort (Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture) | Maiko Gondola switches 100% of winter electricity consumption to renewable energy | Season tickets (on sale from September 1st), all lift tickets |
| Yuzawa Nakazato Snow Resort (Yuzawa Town, Minamiuonuma District, Niigata Prefecture) | Switching 50% of the ski center's winter electricity consumption to renewable energy | Season tickets (on sale from September 1st), all lift tickets |
| Muika Snow Resort (Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture) | ①Switching 100% of winter electricity consumption for the No. 1 and No. 2 Pair Lifts to renewable energy ②Converting lighting in the center lodge to LED | Season tickets (on sale from September 1st), all lift tickets |
| Cupid Valley (Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture) | Switching to LED lighting in the ski center | Season tickets (on sale from September 1st), all lift tickets |
| Ninox Snow Park (Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture) | 1. Switch 100% of electricity used for night-game lighting to renewable energy. 2. Switch to LED night-game lighting | Season tickets (on sale from September 1st), all lift tickets |
| Togakushi Ski Resort (Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture) | Switching the power of the Kasumi No. 4 high-speed pair lift and Kasumi No. 5 pair lift to renewable energy | Season tickets (on sale from July 22nd) |
| Hakuba Happo-one Ski Resort (Hakuba Village, Kitaazumino District, Nagano Prefecture) | Forest maintenance at ski resorts | Season tickets (on sale from September 1st), My Card |
| Able Hakuba Goryu (Hakuba Village, Kitaazumino District, Nagano Prefecture) | Introducing a digester that uses microorganisms to break down food waste into water | Night season ticket (on sale from September 1st), night ticket, Goryu 47 all-purpose ticket |
The POW Ticket is an "action to protect winter" that brings together ski resorts and the snow community. This winter, let's continue to expand the circle of sustainable resorts together with POW JAPAN
Information
POW JAPAN
Official Website:https://protectourwinters.jp/
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