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 with a 70-year history. The high-quality hospitality cultivated over its tradition, and the passionate "omotenashi-mindedness" of its operating staff, have led to innovative initiatives every year, creating one new facility and service after another. "What's next at Ishiuchi?" This season is more exciting than ever, with people asking this question.
"Ishiuchi is just the best!" Where does this sense of satisfaction come from? The powder snow is fantastic, but that's only a small part of what Ishiuchi Maruyama has to offer. Let's explore what Ishiuchi Maruyama is like today, constantly evolving to keep up with the times.
You can really get into the skating and then just chill out –
you won't find this kind of perfect balance anywhere else!
From STEEP's perspective, the charm of Ishiuchi Maruyama lies precisely in the exquisite balance between "skiing" and "relaxation." And both are at a high level. Therefore, the combined strength of "skiing" and "relaxation" is incredible.
Because STEEP readers are serious about skiing. Whether it's Ishiuchi's unique Uonuma powder or park riding, they want to seriously pursue enjoyment and technique. If you chill out and recharge your energy, you can ski more, improve your technique, and enjoy it endlessly!
'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 rich natural terrain of the vast field, the courses are incredibly diverse.
What STEEP particularly likes is the course design. The balance between the slope and distance of each run is just right. As a result, the ride time on a single lift and the satisfaction of the skiing course are perfectly balanced. This can be said for all the lifts.
The finest Uonuma powder is as delicious as Uonuma Koshihikari rice
Every winter, seasonal winds blowing from the Sea of Japan collide with the high-altitude Tanigawa mountain range, bringing a massive amount of snow to this area. Not only is the quantity exceptional, but the snow itself is also remarkably light. Uonuma powder boasts a quality as high as the Koshihikari rice of Uonuma, a renowned rice-producing region. Especially during the peak season from January to February, the low temperatures and heavy, light snowfalls create a magnificent powder environment throughout the ski resort.
This 2020-21 season, in particular, saw continuous heavy snowfall from mid-December, resulting in an abundance of fresh snow and excellent slope conditions. The ungroomed areas within the resort can be efficiently accessed by lifts, allowing for consistent powder enjoyment.
The Sunrise Express: Super Comfortable with Excellent Mobility and Hospitality
Introduced in the 2018-19 season, the "Sunrise Express," the world's first combination lift with a gondola and chairs mounted on a single lift, has become a familiar sight at Ishiuchi.
This lift is incredibly comfortable and symbolizes Ishiuchi's hospitality. That's because it even has heated seats! The bucket seats are plush and reminiscent of racing cars. They're so warm and comfortable that 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 pillars, with no noticeable 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 anticipated new normal chill-out style
"SNOW GARDEN" has grand opened!
"In line with the changing times, Ishiuchi Maruyama has continued to undertake innovative initiatives, and the highlight of their '20-21 season project is "SNOW GARDEN." It's a chill-out space that unfolds right after you get off the Sunrise Express.
First of all, what catches the eye is the snow globe tent pictured. In this season of the COVID-19 pandemic, nothing could be more timely. It offers the luxury of relaxing in a private room while gazing at the beautiful snowscape. This sense of exclusivity and security has made it incredibly 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 per adult. Dome tents are available on a first-come, first-served basis (in 30-minute increments). Reservations 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 the 150th anniversary of Japan-Austria friendship, the "Austrian Snow House" exudes the atmosphere of European Tyrol. Panoramic views of the Uonuma Plain and the Echigo Sanzan Mountains spread across the windows, and the warmth of the fireplace will warm both body and soul. On cold, snowy days, it becomes a refuge from the heat.
This is also the starting point for the SNOW GARDEN, where you can register for use and purchase takeout menus to enjoy on the snow globe terrace. There is a cafe-style relaxation space, and a free lounge is also located 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
One of the unmissable features of Ishiuchi Maruyama is the 24 restaurants scattered throughout the ski resort. Each is independently owned, offering a unique character and a wide variety of cuisine, from authentic Western food to local specialties and comforting, home-style cooking. The quality is so high that it's praised as "ski resort food that surpasses other ski resort food." Be sure to try local ingredients like Ishiuchi-grown Koshihikari rice and Echigo mochi pork.
Restaurants in the mountaintop and mid-mountain areas offer delicious meals while enjoying stunning snow-covered mountain scenery under the blue sky, and several are open for night skiing. Many skiers and snowboarders are drawn to this unique ski resort food and become regulars. After a full day of skiing, you'll want to work up an appetite and enjoy lunch and dinner at various restaurants!
Get a discount on a one-day ticket by purchasing online in advance
If you purchase your lift ticket online in advance, you can get a 15% discount, reducing the usual 5,300 yen one-day pass (3,500 yen for children, 4,500 yen for seniors) to 4,500 yen. If you arrive late, you can also use the "afternoon + night pass," which is convenient.
*Valid until March 21, 2021. The "afternoon + night pass" is valid until March 14.
◆ Purchase tickets 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