"Why Hakuba Valley?" Aiko Uemura and Kazushige Fujita discuss its appeal

On Saturday, June 28th, an event titled "WHY HAKUBA VALLEY?" was held in Daikanyama, Tokyo, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the release of the "Hakuba Valley All-Mountain Season Pass."
Featuring Aiko Uemura, who grew up in Hakuba Village, and professional snowboarder Kazushige Fujita, who is based in Hakuba, as guests, the event was held in two parts, with a limit of 30 participants per session. With Sports MC Alee providing lively commentary, the event explored the appeal of Hakuba Valley through 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

Having reached the top of the world multiple times and seen sights that are not usually seen, what is the reason Uemura chose this place? Her answer is "Why not?"
For her, there is no reason not to choose Hakuba, where she grew up since childhood.

A resort you'll want to return to

He says that every time he goes out and comes back, he is surprised and happy by the scenery, thinking, "It's really great." In terms of scenery, European ski resorts are often visible from afar, but Hakuba Valley suddenly opens up, and you can experience the awe-inspiring feeling of the mountain range looming before your eyes.
He says that it's just the right size to call home, and that even in bad weather there is always a ski resort open somewhere, so he is guaranteed to have fun memories in the mountains no matter when he comes. He revealed that he goes to Happo-one for the first ski season of the year, and that Kashimayari is his go-to hidden gem.

Careful selection

Unlike her hectic days as an active competitor, Uemura now finds herself slowly confronting the changes of the seasons and herself, asking herself every day where and with whom she wants to live, and "choosing Hakuba every day."
Reflecting on her past, Uemura concluded by expressing her gratitude to her parents for allowing her to choose this environment and pursue her passion for skiing. Choosing a lifestyle surrounded by snow and mountains may enrich the lives of others as well.

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 made her World Cup debut the following year, 1996, where she stood on the podium.
Since her first appearance at the Nagano Olympics at the age of 18, she has participated in a total of five consecutive Winter Olympics, placing in all of them.
Her most brilliant achievement was becoming the first Japanese woman to win the overall World Cup Mogul title in the 2007-08 season, and then achieving the remarkable feat of winning two titles in mogul and dual mogul at the 2009 Inawashiro World Championships.
After retiring, she has been active in a wide range of fields, including working as a mogul skiing commentator, appearing at events, and doing talk shows. She continues to be loved by many fans for her diverse activities, such as organizing snow events for children and having a picture book with illustrations she created published in 2022, spreading the charm of "snow" in various fields.

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 together

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 in 10 years

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. Resides in Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture.
He discovered snowboarding in junior high school and made a name for himself in the contest scene.
He turned professional at the age of 20 and achieved good results in competitions such as "TOYOTA BIG AIR," before shifting to a "snow surfing" style that emphasizes backcountry and harmony with nature. His free and beautiful riding style, gliding through the snow like waves, was established after his encounter with GENTEMSTICK and continues to fascinate many people. He
currently serves as an ambassador for several brands, including THE NORTH FACE and GENTEMSTICK, and is attracting attention as someone who embodies a new value in snowboarding.
In addition to being a rider, he is also involved in a wide range of activities, including producing the artificial wave course "GORYU WAVES" installed at Able Hakuba Goryu, being involved in the creative direction of ski resorts and brands, and shooting and producing photographs and videos.

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 by @kentarosnow