FWT JAPAN (operated by Earthhopper Co., Ltd.) has been working to improve freeride environments across Japan in parallel with hosting domestic competitions such as the FWT QUALIFIER and FWT JUNIOR. As part of this, they have developed ungroomed courses for advanced skiers within the slopes as FWT JAPAN-certified freeride areas called "ZONE FWT."
This project, which began in 2023, is now in its third year and will expand to 13 ski resorts nationwide this season. It provides an environment that many skiers and snowboarders can use to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for backcountry skiing while safely enjoying the changing natural terrain and deep snow. Furthermore, like the tournament, TOYO TIRES is sponsoring the project and supporting the philosophy of FWT JAPAN.
What is "ZONE FWT"?
In overseas resorts, there are many unregulated areas in vast mountainous regions, and a culture of freeriding has developed, offering a high degree of freedom. On the other hand, many ski resorts in Japan are located in forested areas at around 1,000 meters above sea level, and strict course regulations are the norm. This has led to a constant stream of cases where people venture outside of controlled areas without adequate preparation, which is one of the causes of accidents.
ZONE FWT is a certified course set up within the ski resort's managed area, where you can experience the essence of freeriding, such as "terrain," "deep snow," and "line selection," under safety management. FWT JAPAN positions this initiative as "a place to acquire skills before heading into the backcountry" and "a place for safety education" where you can learn the rules of snowy mountains and self-responsibility."
The tournament continues to hold avalanche rescue workshops, and is committed to raising awareness of mountain safety not only among competitive skiers but also among general skiers and snowboarders.
2026 season "ZONE FWT" certified ski resorts (13 locations nationwide)
| location | ski resort | Course Name | Course Overview |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hokkaido | Kamui Ski Links | Deep powder course | A combination of superb powder and open, tree-lined terrain. Highly suitable for freeriding. |
| Kiroro Snow World | Asari Course 2-C | Kiroro's steepest slope. Easy access from the gondola. | |
| Iwate Prefecture | Geto Kogen Ski Resort | RABBIT | A drop-in with a large drop that sucks you into the stream. High adaptability is required. |
| Gunma Prefecture | White World Oze Iwakura | Expert Course (Upper) | Wide, unobstructed, steep slopes. Perfect for gaining experience. |
| Oguna Hotaka Ski Resort | Training Courses | Newly constructed, ungroomed slopes with excellent rotational ability, perfect for practice. | |
| Niigata Prefecture | Maiko Snow Resort | Champion Course | The venue for FWT Qualifier 1*. Great conditions for debuts. |
| Yuzawa Nakazato Snow Resort | Challenge Burn | An open burn with good visibility. Natural hits are also available. | |
| Arai Mountain Resort | Pit viper | You can enjoy the face of the FWT Qualifier 3* venue by lifting around. | |
| Nagano Prefecture | Ontake Ski Resort | Champion Slope C Course | An old slope that has been revived. A great location for beginners to backcountry skiing. |
| Ryuo Ski Park | Tree-Cutting Bowl | The famous "Ki-Otoshi" has evolved to include tree runs, creating a new area. | |
| Gifu Prefecture | Takasu Snow Park | Champion Course | A steep slope that will test your skills, with a mix of ungroomed snow, terrain, and moguls. |
| Hyogo Prefecture | Hachi-Hachikita Ski Resort | FWT ZONE NATURE | One of the largest in the Kansai region. Your ability to read the changes in snow conditions and decide when to drop will be put to the test. |
| Hiroshima Prefecture | Osorakan Snow Park | Toishigo Course | The environment is blessed with natural snowfall, and you can also learn how to traverse on one side of the slope. |
The certified logo will be displayed on the map for each course, and banners will be set up on-site. Please strictly follow the ski resort rules when skiing, and enjoy the slopes within your limits.
Information
Freeride World Tour
Official website: http://freerideworldtour.jp/Official
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