Ishiuchi Maruyama: Excitement and never-ending evolution
Ishiuchi Maruyama boasts the largest scale in the Kanetsu area, with 23 diverse courses that take advantage of the richness of the terrain. The vast fields are covered in light snow brought by seasonal winds blowing in from the Sea of Japan. The quality is top-notch, and Uonuma powder is as delicious as Uonuma Koshihikari rice
Ishiuchi Maruyama is actually a historic ski resort that has been in business for 70 years. The high-quality hospitality that has been cultivated through this tradition and the passionate "hospitality spirit" of the management staff have led to innovative initiatives every year, resulting in the creation of a succession of new facilities and services. "What's next at Ishiuchi?" This season has been more noisy than ever, with voices like this.
"Ishiuchi is the best after all!" Where does this sense of satisfaction come from? The fish powder is wonderful, but in fact it is only a small part of Ishiuchi Maruyama's appeal. Let's explore the current state of Ishiuchi Maruyama, which continues to evolve with the times.
You won't find a better balance of skating hard and chilling out
From a STEEP perspective, the appeal of Ishiuchi Maruyama lies in the wonderful balance of "snowboarding" and "comfort." And each is at a high level. Therefore, the overall power of "snowboarding" and "comfort" combined is incredible.
That's because STEEP readers are serious about snowboarding. They want to seriously pursue the fun and technique of Ishiuchi's unique Uonuma powder and park rides. If you chill out and recharge your energy, you'll be able to ski more, improve your technique, and have even more fun!
'20-21 Featured Topics Examine Ishiuchi Maruyama's "Golden Balance"!
"Golden balance" refers to the ratio of 1 to 1.618 that humans perceive as the most beautiful. Its roots date back to ancient Greece, but leaving that aside, at STEEP, it is defined as "the ratio that people who love skiing find most enjoyable and comfortable." Here are some topics that will make Ishiuchi Maruyama so appealing for the 2020-21 season. It's clear that Ishiuchi Maruyama truly has the golden balance
| Riding |
| 1. The beautiful tree run at the summit area has finally opened up |
| 2. Excellent course design with perfect slope and length |
| 3. The finest Uonuma powder, as delicious as Uonuma Koshihikari rice |
| 4. The Sunrise Express: Super comfortable, highly maneuverable, and with excellent hospitality |
| 5. A top-class snow park that has created a culture |
| 6. A night game on one of the largest scales in the country, where you wonder if you can even skate on a top |
| 7. Get a discount on a one-day ticket by purchasing online in advance |
| Chilling |
| 8. The much talked about new normal chill-out style "Snow Garden" |
| 9. "Austria House" - a sophisticated and relaxing space |
| 10. Ishiuchi's Gere Food: A Mecca for Local Cuisine in the Ski World |
Let's unravel its charm
Ishiuchi Maruyama's lineup for the 20-21 season is full of charm. Let's introduce them one by one. Now the real action begins!
Beautiful tree run at the summit area, finally open to the public
The tree run at the summit area has been a secret among locals. This season, two official ungroomed tree run areas have been opened: one at the summit and one halfway up the mountain. Now, when it snows, you can enjoy the powder to your heart's content. I couldn't be happier
There's a ton of powder piled up among the beautiful trees, as you can see in the photo. It's so much fun you'll want to shout out loud. Tree runs are fun because you can ride rhythmically over the unevenness of the natural terrain
However, be sure to wear a helmet when skiing and strictly follow the rules (see the official website). Make sure to check the rules before you enjoy yourself
❖Tree Run details (official website) https://ishiuchi.or.jp/treerun/
Excellent course design with perfect slope and length
Looking at the slope map above, you'll be overwhelmed by the sheer number of courses. 23 in total! The longest run is 4km, and the ski resort covers a total area of 236ha, making it one of the largest in the Kanetsu area. By taking advantage of the vast field's rich natural terrain, the courses are overflowing with variety.
What makes STEEP so great is the course design. The balance between the gradient and distance of each slope is just right. This means that the ride time per lift and the satisfaction of the courses are just right. This can be said for all of the lifts.
The finest Uonuma powder is as delicious as Uonuma Koshihikari rice
The seasonal winds blowing in from the Sea of Japan collide with the high-altitude Tanigawa Mountain Range, bringing copious amounts of snow to this area every winter. Not only is the quantity impressive, but the snow is also light in quality. Uonuma powder snow is just as much a source of pride as the rice-producing region of Uonuma's Koshihikari rice. In particular, during the peak season
from January to February, temperatures are low and light snow falls in large quantities, so the entire ski resort is covered in beautiful powder. This 2020-21 season in particular has seen heavy snowfall since mid-December, resulting in an abundance of fresh snow, creating excellent slope conditions. The lifts allow efficient access to the ungroomed areas of the slopes, allowing for consistent powder enjoyment.
The Sunrise Express is an extremely comfortable train with excellent mobility and hospitality.
The Sunrise Express, the world's first combination lift, which was introduced in the 2018-19 season and combines a gondola and chairs on one lift, has become a staple of Ishiuchi.
This lift is incredibly comfortable and a symbol of Ishiuchi's hospitality. Why? Because it even has heated seats! The bucket seats are as plush as those in a racing car. They're so warm and comfortable, you'll want to stay on the lift a little longer. The 10-person gondola has a wide entrance, making it very easy to bring in your skis. It's also quiet when passing through the support posts, and you won't feel any major shaking.
A top-class snow park that has created a culture
Ishiuchi is a long-established park operator with over 20 years of experience, creating a park culture in Japan. Its scale, number of items, quality of content, and ingenious layout are highly praised. It has two parks, a main park and a beginner park, and even boasts one of the world's largest, the "GungHo Monster Pipe." Add to this the thorough maintenance of the park's conditions and it boasts an undeniably top-level park environment in Japan
The main park takes advantage of the wide course width, and Ishiuchi's wide variety of jib items are designed to allow approach not only from the vertical but also from the horizontal. It is reputed to have the highest level of jib items in Japan. There are also jumps of 8 to 13 meters, perfect for intermediate and advanced skiers to practice. With the ability to move horizontally and move in three dimensions, the possibilities for play are endless. You'll be so absorbed in playing that you can spend the whole day there. It's also great that you can use the high-speed four-seater lift, which allows for efficient operation
A night skiing event on one of the largest scales in the country, making you wonder if you can really ski on this scale
"The night skiing here is amazing! There are even locals who only ski at night," says Ishiuchi Maruyama, the killer mountain for night skiing. With a longest run of 3,000m, it is one of the largest in the Yuzawa area. There aren't many ski resorts that offer such a satisfying night ski experience
The temperature drops significantly at night compared to daytime, so the snow quality is excellent. There are fewer people around, so it feels like you have the vast slopes all to yourself. The packed snow makes your skis slide smoothly, and you can feel your speed increasing naturally. The thrill of carving your way down the long groomed runs lit by cocktail light and playing around with the terrain at night are both incredibly fun
The highly talked about new normal chill out style
"SNOW GARDEN" grand opening!
"Ishiuchi Maruyama has continued to take on innovative initiatives in line with the times, and the highlight of the 20-21 season is the SNOW GARDEN. It is a chill-out space located just after disembarking the Sunrise Express.
The first thing that catches your eye is the snow dome tent shown in the photo. This season, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, couldn't be more timely. It offers the luxury of relaxing in a private room while admiring the beautiful snowy scenery. This sense of exclusivity and security is truly wonderful, and it has been extremely popular since it opened.
SNOW GARDEN also has a snow terrace where you can relax in the sunshine, and a cafe where you can enjoy European delicacies. You can also enjoy snow activities such as snowshoeing and snow tubing, so you can have plenty of fun even if you don't have skis. It's perfect for families with children
In fact, when the STEEP editorial department received information about the Snow Garden around autumn and saw the image, I honestly thought, "Hmm, I understand the idea, but it looks like a lot of work." But now that I've actually used it on the snow, it's so tasteful, and I thought, "Wow, that's great, it works, it's so relaxing, it's really nice!"
※SNOW GARDEN usage fee: 1,500 yen for adults.
Dome tents are available on a priority basis with advance reservations (30-minute increments). Applications are accepted until 4:00 PM the day before.
❖ For more information about SNOW GARDEN, please visit the official website https://ishiuchi.or.jp/tips/snowterrace/
Austria House: A sophisticated and relaxing space
Opened in the 2018-19 season to commemorate 150 years of friendship between Japan and Austria, the Austrian Snow House evokes the atmosphere of Tyrol in Europe. Panoramic views of the Uonuma Plain and the Echigo Sanzan mountains fill the windows, while the fire in the fireplace warms both body and soul. It's a perfect escape spot for warmth on cold, snowy days.
This is also the starting point for the Snow Garden, and it also handles registration and sells takeout menus to enjoy in the snow dome terrace. There's a cafe-style relaxation space, and a free lounge on the first floor.
To coincide with the opening of the SNOW GARDEN, Austria Snow House will be offering a new dish, "Snow Country Pancakes," created by a local pastry chef. Fluffy pancakes topped with plenty of fruit, ice cream, and fresh cream. It's the perfect way to replenish your energy with sugar when you're feeling a bit tired after a long day of skiing
Ishiuchi's ski resort food, considered a mecca for local gourmet food in the ski world
Another feature of Ishiuchi Maruyama that you can't miss is the 24 restaurants scattered throughout the slopes. As they are privately run, they are all unique and offer a wide variety of food, from authentic Western cuisine to local delicacies and home-cooked dishes with a rustic feel. The quality is so high that it has been praised as "ski food that surpasses ski food." You should definitely try the local ingredients, such as Ishiuchi Koshihikari rice and Echigo Mochi Pork. At
the restaurants on the summit and mid-mountain area, you can enjoy a delicious meal while looking out at the magnificent snow-capped mountain scenery under the blue sky, and several restaurants are open for night skiing. Many skiers and snowboarders are attracted by this ski food and frequent the area regularly. After a day of skiing and working up an appetite, you'll want to enjoy lunch and dinner at a variety of restaurants!
Get a discount on a one-day ticket by purchasing online in advance
If you purchase your lift ticket in advance online, you can get a 15% discount off the usual 5,300 yen one-day ticket (3,500 yen for children, 4,500 yen for seniors) at 4,500 yen. If you arrive late, you can also use the "Afternoon + Night Ticket" conveniently.
*Valid until March 21, 2021. The "Afternoon + Night Ticket" is valid until March 14.
◆ Purchase here: https://ishiuchi.or.jp/tips/onlineticket/
❖ Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort Official Website: https://ishiuchi.or.jp
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address
- 1655 Ishiuchi, Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture
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Tel
- 025-783-2222