"Why Hakuba Valley?" Uemura Aiko and Fujita Kazushige talk about their charms.

On Saturday, June 28th, an event called "WHY HAKUBA VALLEY?" was held in Daikanyama, Tokyo, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the release of the "Hakuba Valley All-Mountain Season Pass."
Guests included Aiko Uemura, who grew up in Hakuba Village, and Kazushige Fujita, a professional snowboarder based in Hakuba. The event was split into two sessions, each limited to 30 participants, and Sports MC Alee, who ably hosted the event, explored the appeal of Hakuba Valley by asking the question, "Why now?"

Where Aiko Uemura grew up

First up on the stage was Aiko Uemura, dressed in a snow-white outfit. Her captivating splendor, like the mountains of Hakuba Valley, brightened the stage, and her dignified presence tightened the atmosphere in the venue. Thus began the talk session

Uemura has been at the top of the world many times and has seen views that are not normally seen, so why did she choose this place? Her answer is "Why not?"
For her, there was no reason not to choose Hakuba, where she grew up since childhood.

A resort you'll want to return to

Every time he returns from a trip, he is surprised and happy by the scenery, thinking, "It's just as great as I expected." While European ski resorts are often visible from afar, Hakuba Valley suddenly opens up, giving the thrill of seeing the mountain ranges right before your eyes. Another
attraction is that it's just the right size to call home, and there's always a ski resort open, even in bad weather, so whenever you come, you're guaranteed to have fun memories in the mountains. He revealed that the opening ski resort for the season is Happo-one, and that his favorite hidden gem is Kashimayari.

Careful selection

As he slowly faces the changes in himself and the seasons, something he never felt during his hectic active career, he asks himself each day where and with whom he wants to live, and "chooses Hakuba every day."
Looking back on his life so far, Uemura concludes by expressing his gratitude to his parents, who allowed him to choose this environment and do his favorite sport, skiing. Choosing a lifestyle with snow and mountains may even enrich someone else's life.

Special Photos

Both of our guests love photography, and they were excitedly discussing cameras backstage. We'll be showcasing some of the special moments each of them has captured over the decades from the photos shown at the event

Profile

: Aiko Uemura Born December 9, 1979. Originally from Itami City, Hyogo Prefecture, and raised in Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture.
She discovered mogul skiing in 1995, and the following year, in 1996, she competed in her first World Cup, reaching the podium.
Since her debut at the Nagano Olympics at age 18, she has competed in five consecutive Winter Olympics, placing in the top three in every one.
Her most notable achievement was becoming the first Japanese woman to win the overall World Cup moguls title in the 2007-08 season, and then achieving the remarkable feat of winning both the moguls and dual moguls at the 2009 Inawashiro World Championships.
Since retiring, she has been active in a wide range of fields, including as a commentator for mogul skiing, appearing at events, and giving talk shows. She continues to promote the charm of snow in a variety of fields, including hosting snow events for children and illustrating a picture book to be released in 2022, and continues to be loved by many fans.

Places chosen by Kazushige Fujita

Next up was Kazushige Fujita, a man with a tanned, manly look. He is also a photographer, but as he travels around the world, he says he feels proud every time he leaves the village of HAKUBA, a place that is accessible to everyone

Eye-opening in Switzerland

He had participated in overseas competitions such as slopestyle and big air, but was eliminated in the qualifying rounds at a competition he competed in in Switzerland. With time on his hands, he decided to take a cable car. Awaiting him was a majestic mountaintop area with a glacier stretching out before him. Looking down from there at the bottom of the ski resort, and seeing how small the competition area was, he wondered what he was doing, but at the same time, he realized that what he wanted to do was "snowboard with more freedom." From then on, he began to seriously pursue photography in the backcountry, something he had always dreamed of

Now in his early twenties, he explains why he chose Hakuba Valley after realizing his dream at a young age:

"I felt that there were so many fields here that I couldn't tackle them all in my lifetime. The size of the mountains, the proximity of the mountains to the city, the number of ski resorts, and everything from parks to backcountry skiing are all here, so I felt that this was the only place that had it all."

A power spot where people can grow stronger

This is how he ended up in Hakuba Valley. The charm of the area lies in its "friends" and "diversity." Each area, with its different topography, snow quality, and even climate, is home to equally unique friends who respect each other's interests. It's also a place where top athletes and brands gather and culture is cultivated, with rows of international cafes and shops, and even just walking around the town is stimulating

He changes places and people, and sometimes does up to four sessions in a day. He told us that the way to find the best spots among the 10 resorts and the vast backcountry areas behind them is to rely not only on official announcements but also on his own intuition. A hidden gem is White Resort Hakuba Sanosaka, which also offers a view of Lake Aoki. Perhaps the instincts that tend to get dull in the concrete jungle are naturally honed by constantly facing the mountains

Hakuba Valley 10 years later

Fujita, who says he wants to contribute to the local community through his creative activities, envisions what the village will look like in 10 years' time. It will be a place where children can live happily, and for that to happen, it is essential that adults create sustainable jobs, centered around the ski resort, and maintain the village's abundant resources and vitality. He wants to create an environment that is attractive not only as a place to live and ski, but also as a place to work. His goal is to create a "resort with a sense of everyday life."

The moment I want to tell you

Fujita, who is also a photographer, has captured Hakuba Valley, featuring a variety of characters from the mountains to the town

Profile:

Kazushige Fujita Born in 1988 in Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture, he currently resides in Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture.
He discovered snowboarding in junior high school and rose to prominence in the snowboarding competition scene.
He turned professional at age 20, achieving success in competitions like the Toyota Big Air, before shifting to a "snowsurfing" style that emphasizes backcountry skiing and harmony with nature. His free-spirited, wave-like style of riding, gliding across the snow like waves, was established after his encounter with GENTEMSTICK and continues to captivate many. He
currently serves as an ambassador for several brands, including THE NORTH FACE and GENTEMSTICK, and is gaining attention as someone who embodies a new value in snowboarding.
In addition to his work as a snowboarder, he is also involved in a wide range of activities, including producing the artificial wave course "GORYU WAVES" at Able Hakuba Goryu, as well as providing creative direction for ski resorts and brands, while also working on photography and film production.

The two talk about the appeal of volleyball tickets

Now that we've explained the appeal of Hakuba Valley, let's take a look at the benefits of volleyball tickets, which will enhance your experience there

Usually, once you buy a lift ticket for one resort, you have to ski no matter how crowded it is or how bad the weather is, but with 10 resorts to choose from, free shuttle buses make travel easy, and many facilities offer special perks outside of the ski resorts, you have the freedom not to push yourself too hard and the perspective to enjoy the whole area. On good days, it encourages people to be considerate of others, and naturally spreads out people, which also contributes to safety. Considering the fierceness of the battle for powder snow, it could even be said that this ticket brings peace

Of course, it goes without saying that it makes skiing even more fun and comfortable. There's no need to wait in line to buy a lift ticket, and you can choose a ski resort just like choosing a course depending on the weather, crowds, and your mood. With 10 ski resorts, different opening periods, and different styles, there are endless ways to enjoy yourself

Even the two guests commented, "Once we started using it, we realized how good it was. It changed the way we ski and the way we spend time in the mountains." Regardless of experience or goals, it has the potential to unexpectedly change anyone's life

Get a great deal now! Super early bird discount information

With services that naturally make you more mobile, and special discounts for those who live in Japan and visit frequently, such as the "Domestic Resident Discount" and "Repeat Customer Discount," volleyball tickets that satisfy your love of Hakuba Valley are available at the best price until Thursday, August 28th. Don't miss out on this chance to save up to 42%!

Photo /​ @kentarosnow