Yamabiko slope, located at the summit of Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort, has five courses and offers natural terrain such as tree runs and streams, so it is filled with powder lovers and other skiers during the season
The summit is 1,650m above sea level. On a clear day, the highlight is the 360-degree panoramic view that stretches all the way to the Sea of Japan. The lift ride through the mixed beech and birch trees is a pleasant one, and you might find yourself opening the hood on the lift to enjoy the spectacular view
The Yamabiko slopes receive high-quality snow and receive a large amount of snow throughout the season. That's why on powder days, cheers of joy ring out and lines are carved in various places throughout the area. As long as you don't go under a rope or net, you can always return to the course no matter where you ski, whether it's on a packed snow slope, between trees, in a stream, or on a gently changing terrain beside the course, so it's a place you'll never get bored of skiing on the lifts
However, this is a "self-responsibility area," so the ski resort is not responsible if you get injured by hitting a standing tree or a lift pole
This area is popular when there is fresh snow, and once it snows, people tackle the powder, but from now on, as the snow starts to loosen up, the aim is to explore the rich terrain. The gentle valley terrain created by the large amount of snow will reveal its true form as the snow melts, creating a natural banked slalom. This offers a whole different kind of enjoyment from powder
The model in the photo enjoying the terrain of the Yamabiko slopes is Tomii Taiga, who recently won the All Japan Alpine Ski Championships GS. A native of Nozawa Onsen, he has been skiing on Yamabiko since he was in elementary and middle school, and finds a different kind of enjoyment on these slopes than alpine competitions.
Last year, he participated in an event (Disruption Cup) held in Garmisch by K2, which he is supported by, together with Sakamoto Godai, and came in 5th place alongside a number of strong competitors including Sean Pettit.
By the way, these are the skis he was wearing at the time.
Yamabiko Valley is a place that even active alpine skiers are enthralled with. You can use slides to fit into the valley's terrain, find a place to jump and connect jumps like in a half-pipe, or carve down the low parts of the wall with sharp carving skis. Playing with the terrain in the spring is just as fun as in the high season. Enjoy the valley's terrain in any way you like
By the way, the difference in altitude from the summit to the bottom is 1,085m, making it a long runway, and the area of the runs is one of the largest in Japan for a single ski resort. The slopes are simply vast, with a total of 36 runs. The newly built Nagasaka Gondola and other lifts are perfectly positioned, allowing you to efficiently access a variety of runs
Winner of the 99th All Japan Championships GS
Instagram @taiga_tomii