"SKIMO" has become a new Olympic sport. Ken Fujikawa's dream beyond speed touring

Whether skiing or climbing, mountain athlete Ken Fujikawa, 51 years old, continues to lead the way.
His autobiography, "SPEED TOURING: The Life and Records of Mountain Athlete Ken Fujikawa," published last winter, became a hot topic in the mountaineering and skiing worlds.
"SKIMO" will be introduced as a new event at the Milan-Cortina Olympics in February 2026. With increasing exposure outside of specialized media, he is a figure to watch.
We asked this true mountain man, who led the Japanese mountaineering scene as an athlete in its early days and laid its foundation, about his outlook for the future.

At the top is "Speed ​​Touring"

Based in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Fujikawa Ken wears many hats. It's extremely difficult to list all of his titles in the limited number of characters. For example..

- A mountain skier with a record of 7 consecutive victories in the SKIMO (Ski Mountaineering) Japan Championships
- A speed hiker with the shortest record of consecutively climbing all 100 Famous Mountains of Japan in just 33 days
- A mountain guide who guides both Japanese and foreigners throughout the four seasons
- A ski and telemark instructor
- A technical representative for brands such as "Scarpa" and "Black Diamond"

The book that compiles his achievements to date, which have become his defining title, is "SPEED TOURING: The Life and Records of Mountain Athlete Ken Fujikawa" (written by Ayako Yokoo / edited byRikka Editorial Office), published in December 2024.

"For about four years, from the initial idea for the book, I worked with the editor to refine its structure and content. My vision, or rather, the thing I'm most passionate about, is speed touring.
Both the 33-day climb of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains in 2014 and the SKIMO competition I participate in every year are forms of training for speed touring. I suggested that we condense all of that into one book. There were some twists and turns along the way, but I think the result is an interesting book that aligns with my intentions."

This book was not written by Ken Fujikawa himself. It was written by Ayako Yokoo, an editor at the publishing company who has a long-standing relationship with Fujikawa, based on Fujikawa's stories. Yokoo is a former editor of the mountaineering magazine "Yama to Keikoku," a certified weather forecaster, and a true mountain enthusiast who enjoys mountaineering, skimo, and telemark skiing herself.
In other words, this book was completed through a collaborative effort between Fujikawa and Yokoo, who knows Fujikawa's achievements and background very well.

"It might have been easier to publish through a major publisher. Sales figures might have been more guaranteed. But I think the quality of the finished book depends on the editor in charge.
How much in-depth communication you have with your editor and how well you share the same goals. You can't create something good just by being part of a large organization. In that sense, I've known Yokoo-san for a long time, and he's been watching my progress from afar, even if only from a distance. I'm glad that I was able to create a book at the right time, when Yokoo-san was starting his own small publishing label."

A cutting-edge book that will remain for generations to come

Rather than simply entrusting the production of the book to an editor, Fujikawa himself had an objective view of his ideal finished product

"If it sells a lot, it might bring in some income. But even if it doesn't sell in large numbers, I wanted it to be a book that's unique and stands out for future generations.
Even if only a few people find it interesting, I think it's the kind of content that will really resonate with those who do accept it."

No matter how skilled one is at writing, or how good one is at listening to others, this is not something just anyone can write. It
can only be written by someone who has experienced the harshness of mountaineering, understood the vastness of the mountains firsthand, and who has truly grasped the passion and effort Fujikawa puts into facing them.

"I used to work a lot for ski-related magazines, so there are plenty of editors who only look at the skiing aspect, but there are few editors who look at my activities as a whole, including mountaineering.
In that sense, it's easier for me to explain things. Not too far away, not too close. I think that good distance is what resulted in the style I envisioned."

Fujikawa is also an avid reader, particularly of philosophy books.http://telemark.fujiken.boy.jpHis writing, including his

"It sounds like a boastful story, so I couldn't have written it myself. I think it was good that Yokoo-san wrote it from a third-party perspective."

What is speed touring anyway?

What exactly is "speed touring," which is also the title of this program? Is it something thatBeyond the Mountain Ridge: Tokachi Mountain Range to Daisetsuzan Speed ​​Touringpushes the physical, mental, and geographical limits, like the program

"The style of that program is a challenging aspect for me. But for me, speed touring is a bit more relaxed. It's
something that incorporates elements of 'lightness' and 'speed' into a typical touring style. It's not the 'skiing-focused' backcountry ski tours that are popular in Japan, but rather a European-style ski tour that is more 'travel-focused.'
For me, the latter is the ideal skiing style."

When talking about mountain athlete Takeshi Fujikawa, one achievement that cannot be left out is his seven consecutive national championships in SKIMO (ski mountaineering). What position does SKIMO hold for Fujikawa?

"SKIMO is the highest level of speed touring training. It's like everyday jogging."

Winning seven consecutive championships with just everyday training is impressive. SKIMO is a record-breaking event, and the organizers prepare the snowy mountains for the event. The harsh yet beautiful, untouched wilderness of the snowy mountains is exactly where Fujikawa should be

"Personally, I want more people to try SKIMO, in a broader and more casual way.
It's fine if they just do it out of curiosity, or if they think, 'There's a competition, so I'll give it a try.' They don't have to aim to win. To put it another way, even if they don't compete, I hope it spreads in Japan as a kind of exercise, like jogging, where they might think, 'The mountain isn't in good condition today, so I'll climb up and ski down the slopes in SKIMO style.'
This is something I've always thought about since I started working with SKIMO."

In Europe, where SKIMO originated, it's a readily accessible pastime and form of training that everyone can enjoy.
However, while Japanese ski resorts generally prohibit climbing up the slopes, is it acceptable in Europe?

"Basically, Europe is a free place that values ​​personal responsibility. Even in resorts like Zermatt, there are plenty of people who climb up the slopes and ski down.
The lifts are running, and they have lift tickets, but they just want to climb up for exercise, something like that."

Climbing alongside an operating ski lift is an unthinkable sight in Japan.
Even if you were to come across such a scene, you'd probably be amazed and think it's the work of a stoic top athlete.

"SKIMO in Japan focuses too much on the top level. It's not like that at all in Europe. Of course, people who are serious about it are doing it at a high level, but the bottom level is much more substantial.
If you go to a small ski resort in Europe, you'll see mothers with babies on their backs climbing the slopes on their SKIMO. When you say, 'It must be tough carrying a baby,' they'll say, 'No, it's refreshing and feels great.' They're
not just skiing down, but climbing up to clear their minds. Of course, going up the mountain with a baby on your back is not a good idea. But if you stay on the side of the slope, you can climb up a little and ski down. It's a great way for anyone to get involved in SKIMO and touring.
I think this is what SKIMO should really be like."

When you hear the word "SKIMO," you might imagine athletes in tight dresses and helmets, panting and shaking their shoulders, and looking a little intimidating

"The Olympics may be exciting for the most elite SKIMO athletes, but I don't think that's the core of the sport. Japan has misunderstood this important aspect, which is why it's not spreading."

The birth of a ski resort where you can climb and ski

So Fujikawa decided to take action on his own, making it possible to ski up the slopes at the ski resort where he works as an instructor

"I wanted to change the common belief that you shouldn't hike up the slopes, so I made it possible to hike up my home resort, Sapporo Bankei Ski Resort.
First, I talked to the principal of the ski school I belong to and got his understanding. The principal acted as a liaison with the ski resort, and we've been trying out various things. We've
held a series of SKIMO competitions on the slopes, and the ski resort has used its budget to prepare about 20 sets of skis and boots for rent."

What an innovative idea it is to not only agree to climb the slopes but also to rent ski equipment

"The main thing is to climb up the groomed slopes with skins and ski down, rather than going into the backcountry.
Even if you're starting out in the backcountry, I think the first thing you should do is climb up the groomed slopes and ski down. We
work with the ski resort to create courses, print out guide leaflets, and open up these courses to people to climb. It's a small ski resort, so it hasn't become a huge movement, but it's been established and has been going well for over 10 years."

Why do ski resorts oppose climbing on the slopes in the first place? Is it because it's dangerous? Or is it because it doesn't generate lift ticket sales?

"The simplest thing everyone thinks is the risk of collisions between skiers and climbers.
But that's a misconception; there have been zero accidents so far. As for money, it's all about lift tickets, and there's no end to it. Ordinary people come to the ski resort and enjoy skiing. The ski resort provides that space. I think this is a
good opportunity to develop business models other than lift ticket sales, and an opportunity for people who don't ski to pay attention to ski resorts."

A new pastime called seal walking

Climbing up the slopes of a ski resort and skiing down. It's a relaxed activity that's fun, training, and everyday exercise all in one. It's quite different from SKIMO.
So Fujikawa named it "Seal Walking."

"By attaching climbing skins to the base of the skis, you can practice walking rather than racing. Skis aren't just tools for skiing;
they're a versatile and excellent means of transportation that can be used for walking and climbing. Beginners can't just jump straight into the snowy mountains.
I want the slopes to be a place where all skiers, from those aiming for backcountry skiing to those aiming for a first-class ski certification, can practice."

For us ordinary people, ski resorts, the most familiar snow surface, must be opened to beginners; otherwise, nothing will spread.
Fujikawa, who had felt frustrated that SKIMO and speed touring had not taken root in Japan like they have in Europe, took a major step forward.

"That's why you don't need any equipment. All you
need are skins and maybe a drink. We wanted to increase the number of beginners as much as possible, so we had instructors with experience in ski schools act as guides and involved a variety of people. If you suddenly hand down equipment to a regular skier, they can't do it, right? You
don't need someone like a specialist guide, you just need someone to teach you how to handle the equipment and the basics of walking. An instructor can ski down with a beginner, after all. If more ski resorts like this open up, I think the appeal of SKIMO will spread to a wider audience."

When Fujikawa spoke about SKIMO, I sensed a hint of loneliness in every word he said, a sense of frustration that, even though backcountry skiing was booming in the ski and snowboard world, SKIMO was not well known among the average skier

Having mastered skiing and climbing techniques and confronted the snowy mountains, mountain athletes are now taking the next step. The spectacle of a mother with a baby on her back skiing up the slopes at a Japanese ski resort. This is the dream of Fujikawa Ken for SKIMO

Interview Date: February 1, 2025 (Saturday)
Interview Cooperation: Lost Arrow