As dawn breaks, the engines of snowmobiles quietly roar across the vast slopes of Rusutsu Resort. We follow the snow groomer operators as they tackle the snow, interpreting the slightest changes in the slopes and weather, as they prepare the stage for the once-a-year special Technical Selection.
The seven and a half hours until opening are crucial: snow compaction work in the middle of the night
It was 12:30 AM. The thermometer outside read -9.5°C. In the darkness and silence of the ski resort, the only sound echoing was the thumping engine noise of the snow groomers. Gunji Masanori, head of the snow groomer operators at Rusutsu Resort, was checking the work being done by each snow vehicle and making preparations.
Masanori Gunji
Born July 8, 1981, in Niigata Prefecture. After six years as a lift operator, he finally achieved his dream of becoming a snow groomer operator. He has always loved snowboarding, but recently put on skis for the first time in 20 years and is now captivated by the sport.
The day before the interview, March 4th, was the open practice day for the 62nd All Japan Technical Ski Championships (hereafter referred to as the Technical Championships), which determines the top basic skier. Gunji said that the course used for the competition is rougher than usual.
Slopes that have been skied on by athletes many times have hard surfaces exposed, making packing the snow difficult. The same areas must be packed over and over again until the entire surface is flat. This takes a lot of time.
Normally, snow grooming work is done by counting backwards to allow the courses prepared with snow groomers to cool and harden. It starts at 12:30 and continues until around 8:00, just before the ski resort opens. However, during the tournament, the lifts open earlier than usual due to schedule constraints, so the work must be completed in less time than usual, and breaks are cut down to complete the work in one go.
Not every day is perfect, which is why it's rewarding
Rusutsu Resort has 15 snow groomer operators who work in shifts every night grooming all 37 runs on three mountains (West Mt., East Mt., and Mt. Isola) with a total run distance of 42km.
There was only one time in the past when the ski resort was unable to open due to heavy snowfall and no snow grooming work was carried out, but we generally go out to groom the slopes every day. The snow quality and weather vary every day, so it is important to assess the conditions.
Mr. Gunji, who has 11 years of experience as an operator and heads the snow groomer operator team, worked as a lift operator for six years before finally achieving his dream of becoming a snow groomer operator.
I've always wanted to work here, but there were no openings. I'm no veteran with only 11 years of experience as an operator. There are many veterans around me with over 20 years of experience, and I'm still learning every day.
The Tiger Course, where Gunji was in charge of grooming on the day of the interview, is an important course that serves as the stage for the Technical Finals and the Super Final, in which only the top 30 men and 15 women can compete. Furthermore, with a maximum gradient of 29 degrees, it is a Rusutsu Resort specialty course that snow groomers cannot climb up or down on their own, making it a nightmare for operators.
During maintenance, a wire over 300m long is fixed to an iron anchor installed at the top of the course, and using this as a fulcrum, the rough slope is smoothed by repeated climbing up and down the wire.
When a lot of snow falls, the snow groomer cannot go up or down. We are constantly thinking about how to climb up taking into account the amount of snowfall, and at what angle we should descend so that we don't slide down. It's not as simple as just climbing up and down.
As he explains this, Gunji holds the stick and skillfully operates the snow groomer, proceeding with the work. The slope, which had been rough, hard, and icy during the official practice, is quickly transformed into a flat run. This is a feat that can only be achieved with outstanding skill.
What you need is not a manual, but experience and lessons learned
This is Gunji's fourth time in charge of the technical selection stage. He says that there are many situations that he would not experience in his normal work, and that it is stimulating every time.
Unlike regular ski resorts, the course is covered with netting and restricted in many places, which makes it nerve-wracking. What we can do is prepare the course so that the athletes competing can perform under the same conditions, so we focus on that and work every night.
No two slopes undergoing snow compaction are the same. There are many different conditions depending on weather conditions such as temperature, humidity, snow accumulation, and wind, so there is no manual that tells you how to consistently compact the snow on a slope in the same condition. Experience is the only thing you can rely on.
I can teach junior operators how to operate a snow groomer, but it's difficult to put into words how to groom the ground properly. The only way is to ride the snow groomer and gain experience.
The key to snow compaction is the operation of the tiller attached to the rear of the vehicle. The tiller mixes the snow as it rotates, and then applies pressure to carve out a beautiful pattern, but the way it is operated also reflects the individuality of the operator.
The depth to which the tiller penetrates the slope and the strength of pressure are adjusted depending on how the snow falls and accumulates. Since adjustments are made on the spot, there are differences depending on the operator.
Normally, when a slope has been groomed, there will inevitably be a gap (a step) between the work. This is a concern even for the technical skiers who ski at high levels of speed, but there are no such gaps to be found on the Rusutsu Resort course. The course is a beautiful, single piste pattern.
We pay particular attention to these (steps). To make the surface as flat as possible, we change the way we operate the equipment when going up and down, and make repeated fine adjustments to the tiller of the snow groomer. How can we avoid creating steps? It's hard to explain in words (laughs).
Amazing teamwork creates a unique skiing experience
The high level of snow grooming skills of the snow groomer operators at Rusutsu Resort has been highly praised by those around them. Fuminori Otsuka, director of Rusutsu Resort Ski School, who was in charge of overall management at the site during the technical competition, also said that the snow grooming work played a major role in the high evaluation of this year's technical competition.
From the beginning of the season, thorough slope management was carried out to maintain a smooth course, and we were able to complete the course construction to a large extent. Due to the warm weather before the tournament and snowfall during the tournament, we requested changes to the snow compaction method and other measures that were different from the usual management, but they were all completed to our satisfaction.
During the technical selection period, snow compaction work was carried out under Otsuka's instructions, but in March, as daytime temperatures rise and the snow melts, once the snow compactor is brought in, the slope loosens and it takes time for it to cool and harden. The decision on whether to bring in the snow compactor also requires careful consideration, and Gunji is aware of this, so he is particularly careful when working in the evenings.
When requests for snow compaction come in in the evening, the temperature has generally risen and the slopes have loosened. However, using a snow groomer in the evening will ensure that the slopes are firm the next day, so we work carefully to avoid collapsing the slopes.
Like Otsuka, Miyajima, Chairman of the SAJ Technical Selection Committee, who served as Technical Director (TD) and made the final decision on the course conditions at the technical selection, highly praises the course preparation techniques.
With their experience in numerous competitions, they responded to various requests from SAJ, mainly with maintenance using snow groomers. I felt their professional skills and the wonderful cooperation of all the staff.
I am honored to be involved in such a major tournament. It is always stimulating. The conditions of the slopes were also highly praised at this tournament, and I was able to improve my skills greatly both as a snow groomer operator.
It seems that this was a valuable experience for Gunji and the other snow groomer operators.
Rusutsu Resort staff work late into the night, assessing the weather and snow conditions to ensure that all visitors have the best day possible. Behind the perfect slopes is the experience and pride of snow groomer operators like Gunji, who communicate with nature and take the snow seriously.
Their job is not just to prepare skiable slopes, but to create a stage that makes you want to ski. That moment when you set off on the pure white slopes bathed in sunlight first thing in the morning. The joy of skiing, the sheer pleasure, will surely run through your entire body. All of these emotions can be found at Rusutsu Resort. If you're looking for the best run yet, be sure to visit this special slope.
Rusutsu Resort as seen by technical athletes
A great course that is always kept in good condition
This year's technical selection saw varying snow conditions throughout the four days due to snowfall and high temperatures, causing conditions to change rapidly throughout the day. In order for athletes to perform at their best in competitions, I believe that good course conditions and safety are essential.
Especially in competitions, the best runs are those that allow the first and last skiers to ski under the same conditions. In terms of safety, it's only with well-maintained courseside nets and course maintenance that athletes can perform at their best with peace of mind.
Rusutsu Resort boasts top-class snow-packing technology. As an athlete, I've visited many ski resorts, and at many, there are uneven patches where the packed snow meets the other. However, at Rusutsu, this isn't the case. So, I always enjoy a smooth run on the on-piste runs first thing in the morning.
Rusutsu Resort also boasts a wide variety of runs and a vast area. Another attractive feature is the ability to find areas where the packed snow remains even in the afternoon.
I recommend the Tiger Run, which was also used in the technical selections. Although the slopes are steep, you can experience for yourself how skiers demonstrate their high level of skill on difficult courses. For those who are not good at steep slopes, we recommend the Isola area. It's great to cruise leisurely down the long course while looking out at Mt. Yotei.
profile
Iori Narita
Born May 18, 1994 in Sapporo. Dedicated to alpine skiing, he participated in the All Japan Junior High School and Inter-High School Championships, and also achieved success in the Intercollegiate and National Sports Festivals. He began competing in technical competitions during his university days, and advanced to the finals of the 62nd tournament. He was also selected as a SAJ National Demonstrator for the second term. He is a member of Rusutsu Resort Ski School.
Photo: Takahiro Nakanishi, Hirotaka Fukuda
Text: Dai Morimiya
Special Thanks: RUSUTSU RESORT
Information
Rusutsu Resort
13 Izumikawa, Rusutsu Village, Abuta District, Hokkaido 048-1711
Official website: https://rusutsu.com/Official
social media: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter) | YouTube