Location: Palcall Tsumagoi Resort
The latest trend is items that use terrain and can be entered and flowed from multiple directions
Snow parks vary widely in terms of slopes, size, overall design, and equipment. Among these, a recent trend is to have equipment that makes use of the terrain, such as waves and banks. Some make use of the characteristics of the slopes and the natural topography of the mountain, while others use snow groomers to create equipment that looks like natural terrain, such as huge banks
Furthermore, the way of playing is becoming more and more free, and there are more and more items that can be approached from multiple directions, not just straight. The curve of the kicker's side can be used as a bank, and boxes and rails can be entered from the side and used as a wall. The boards are designed to allow free play with unique lines
A recent trend is to create layouts that allow you to enjoy a smooth flow from the top of the park to the bottom, while gliding through the entire ride. "Parks with terrain and flow" are a recent park trend. By carefully arranging and spacing the items, you can enjoy a single line, hitting the items without having to slow down or stop every time
[Hokkaido]
Rusutsu
Resortside Country Park and Freedom Park
Side Country Park is a natural powder park that makes use of the natural terrain and trees
Rusutsu boasts the largest slopes in Hokkaido, with three peaks: West Mt., East Mt., and Mt. Isola. The resort boasts a total of 37 courses across three peaks. The quality of the powder is highly praised, but the park itself is also incredibly well-equipped
West Mountain is home to a "side country park" that makes use of the natural terrain and trees. This is a park with a new concept, where you can enjoy powder riding in the ungroomed snow zone, as well as jumps and log slides that make use of the natural terrain. While features that make use of natural park terrain are a recent park trend, the wildness that makes use of Hokkaido's unique snowfall, scale, and wildness is irresistible. What's more, it's an ideal environment for playing on the terrain, with lifts available
Freedom Park has been renovated for the 2022 season
Rusutsu also has another fun park. East Mt.'s Freedom Park is a slopestyle park with a wide variety of items and a concept that caters to a wide range of levels. It has been renovated for the 2022 season! A new bank lane has been installed, allowing you to enjoy the terrain. You can enjoy skiing on a variety of lines from top to bottom. It's truly a blessing to be able to ride a gondola or lift and enjoy powder and carving while skiing
The "Intermediate/Advanced Lane" will be lined with two-way kickers and will also have a full range of jib items such as rail boxes. A big kicker is also scheduled to be installed in March. The "Easy Lane" will also be set up with careful consideration given to the size of the jumps and the height of the rails so that even beginners can enjoy the park safely. This will also be ideal for training kids and junior riders, providing a fun environment for park riding for all levels
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| Top altitude 994m | Longest run 3,500m | Elevation difference 594m | Maximum slope 30° |
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37 courses | 14 lifts | 4 gondolas | ropeway -book |
◆ Official HP / https://rusutsu.com/rusutsu-in-winter/
■ Image video showing the park at Rusutsu
[Nagano Prefecture]
Okushiga Kogen
FREE LINE PARK
Item design that allows for more than three approaches.
Free line selection.
Boasting 100% natural snow, Okushiga Kogen attracts powder lovers from both Japan and abroad, and in recent years has also been attracting attention from park enthusiasts. The "Free Line Park" located along the 6th Pair Lift is, as its name suggests, designed to allow for free line selection. There are three or more approaches to each feature, allowing for creative performance of your own. Rails and boxes are rhythmically placed between features that allow for enjoyment of the terrain, such as waves and spines, allowing for creativity and individuality with each line, making for an addictively fun experience
However, don't worry, beginners can enjoy it as you can enter from any direction. The great thing about FREE LINE PARK is that you can watch other people skiing, learn from their playing style and line choices, and enjoy it in your own way. The slopes are also upgraded with each season, and you can ski until May, with the layout changing four times during the long season. It seems worth buying a season pass and going regularly. The 2022 season is scheduled to open on February 1st
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| Top altitude 2,000m | Longest run 3,000m | Elevation difference 530m | Maximum slope 30° |
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10 courses | 5 lifts | 1 gondola | 0 ropeways |
◆Official website: http://www.okushiga.jp/
[Niigata Prefecture]
Ishiuchi Maruyama
Snow Park
elements of terrain play to items
means you won't get bored even if you play all day
This is a long-established park that has been operating for over 20 years and has been a leader in Japan's park scene. It boasts one of the best park environments in the country in terms of size, number of items, and quality. Taking advantage of the wide course width, the items are laid out horizontally, and are cleverly placed so that they can be hit not only vertically but also horizontally. This gives you plenty of options for which section to go to, and you can draw your own lines freely, making for a layout that you won't get bored of even if you play all day. This can all be done using a high-speed four-seater lift, making it extremely efficient
In addition, the jump items are designed to be stress-free and match the speed of the terrain, and a long, steep landing run is built to ensure safety. In addition to the standard jumps and jibs, the base is also equipped with a sliding surface, allowing for elements of terrain play
Ishiuchi also has the Gungho Monster Pipe, a half-pipe that meets international standards and is used by professionals for training. Its specifications are 6.7m high, 22m wide, and 170m long. A separate fee is required in addition to the lift ticket, and helmets are required
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| Top altitude 920m | Longest run 4,000m | Elevation difference 664m | Maximum slope 35° |
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23 courses | 12 lifts | 1 gondola | ropeway -book |
◆Official website: https://ishiuchi.or.jp/snowpark-3/
[Gunma Prefecture]
Marunuma Kogen
Snow Park & Frozen Park
, a park with a rich slope with a wall-like terrain and
natural terrain
Marunuma Ski Resort opens early. Depending on the amount of snowfall, it may be possible to ski up to 4km of continuous runs, including the park, by mid-December. The top of the resort is 2000m above sea level, with abundant snowfall and a reputation for its rich terrain, so much so that it is also known as "wall heaven."
Marunuma Kogen boasts a large number of 20 to 30 items, making it one of the best park environments in the Kanto area. The beginner park is located in a location accessible by the first lift. The design concept emphasizes the overall flow, with the spacing between items carefully designed to ensure easy hits, and the design allows you to arrange the slopes to your liking depending on the crowds and conditions, making for efficient skiing.
There is also a separate lane for beginners. Aiming to be a park where you can enjoy for a long time, the location and items are changed throughout the season, so you will never get bored no matter how many times you visit. It is easy to get to as it is possible to easily make a day trip from the Tokyo metropolitan area.
"FROZEN WAVE PARK MARUNUMA" produced by @tarotamai
Frozen Wave Park Marunuma, the world's only snow surf park produced by Taro Tamai, is now in its third season in the 2021-2022 season. The park's concept is to create dreamlike icy waves that can be enjoyed by riders of all levels, and it explores the excitement of riding a board on a gentle, three-dimensional terrain. It's a classic example of artificially recreating natural terrain
The ice waves appear and can be enjoyed by snow surfers, freestylers, jibbers, skiers, and anyone of all ages, regardless of whether they like to ride horizontally or vertically, and you can pursue the fun of riding your board on the three-dimensional terrain with a medium to gentle slope. You'll want to find your own comfortable line and slide down it
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| Top altitude 2,000m | Longest run 4,000m | Elevation difference 600m | Maximum slope 32° |
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13 courses | 8 lifts | 1 gondola | ropeway -book |
◆ Official HP / https://www.marunuma.jp/winter/
■ Image video showing the park at Marunuma Kogen
[Gunma Prefecture]
Palcall Tsumagoi Resort
Magic terrain park
An innovative park where everyone can enjoy slopestyle has opened
For the 2022 season, Palcol Tsumagoi has undergone dramatic changes, from the slope environment to the services. In addition to a stable 80% sunny weather rate, the resort is packed with content that will delight skiers who want to pursue the ultimate in skiing. One of these is the new "Magic Park," a new idea where anyone can enjoy slopestyle, regardless of age or level. This is made up of three areas, and with fresh content, an unprecedented and innovative park has been born: "R," a new sensation park produced by Aizawa Ryo; "Infinity," a slopestyle park; and "24," where you can enjoy hiking 24 hours a day
Among them, "R," created by professional snowboarder Ryo Aizawa, who is known for his unique riding style, has the concept of "a place where anyone can enjoy freestyle." The lineup includes many items for enjoying terrain such as volcanoes, spines, and banks, and allows skiers, snowboarders, kids, and professionals to pursue pure enjoyment and style
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| Top altitude 2,100m | The longest run is 4,500m | Altitude difference 730m | Maximum slope 24° |
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24 courses | 6 lifts | 1 gondola | 0 ropeways |
◆Official website: https://tsumagoiskiresort.life/
■Image video showing the park at Palcall Tsumagoi Resort
[Gunma Prefecture]
Kawaba
THE SURF RIDE PARK
THE SURF RIDE PARK is getting an upgrade as part of the ENJOY THE RIDE campaign
The ENJOY THE RIDE campaign, which began in the 2020-21 season, will be further upgrading its four skiing experiences for the 2022 season! Under the new catchphrase "POW and WALL," the campaign will combine the powder snow unique to areas with Kawaba's many course-side walls, further expanding the range of terrain-based fun
Among them, " THE SURF RIDE PARK " is a limited-time special park that will be open from late February until the end of the season. You can freely ride on 3D terrain, including artificially created banks and waves, and natural walls within the course. As the name "surf ride" suggests, the course design will allow you to enjoy flowing skiing, as if you were riding an uninterrupted wave, just like surfing. This park allows you to experience free riding with plenty of attractive elements that are completely different from groomed runs.
The Surf Ride Park will be located on Takate Downhill at the top of the slope. The snow conditions are sure to be excellent. Details will be announced on the official website around mid-February. Don't miss it!
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| Top altitude 1,870m | Longest run 3,300m | Elevation difference 580m | Maximum slope 34° |
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10 courses | 5 lifts | Gondola -base | ropeway -book |
◆ Official HP / https://www.kawaba.co.jp/snow/
[Gifu Prefecture]
Dynaland
SURD RIDE PARK
"SURF RIDE PARK" that combines terrain and banks is back!
Dynaland, a popular riding spot in the Oku-Mino area, has three parks. The Terrain Park, which makes the most of Dynaland's unique topography, has a lineup of kickers of all sizes and unique jibs. There is also a Step Up Park for beginners, with features like jump jumps and waves. Step Up Park can be enjoyed at night and is open until 9pm, making it a popular spot for secret practice
The SURF RIDE PARK is attracting particular attention for the 2021-2022 season. It's actually the revival of the signature park that Dynaland built way back when. (Powered by MOSS) With a permanent banked course and walls created by the natural snow and terrain, SURF RIDE PARK combines the terrain with the banks, allowing you to fully enjoy the snow and nature
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| Top altitude 1,430m | Longest run 3,200m | Elevation difference 447m | Maximum slope 38° |
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17 courses | 5 lifts | Gondola -base | ropeway -book |
◆Official website: https://www.dynaland.co.jp/