"Wide, Fast, Quiet" Riding the New Gondola at Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort

2020/12/18

It's been a few days since the heavy winter generals attacked, but the STEEP editorial department visited Nozawa Onsen, which opened last weekend.

Nozawa Onsen this season, this is the hot spot.

Shin-Nagasaka Gondola Lift

Renewal of Nagasaka Center House (currently in progress)

Introduction of the latest snow machines

Shin-Nagazaka gondola lift with the triple threat of "wide, fast, quiet"

The video of the gondola of about 8 minutes has been summarized in close to 1 minute.
Please forgive me for being cloudy on the way. In addition, it should be a full snow scene now on 12/18.

The "Shin-Nagasaka Gondola Lift" used to access the Yamabiko area via Yunomine Intermediate Station. It changed to a straight route from the Nagasaka area at the foot of the mountain to the Yamabiko area. It takes about 8 minutes one way to reach the top.

The new gondola lift has all the triple threats of "wide, fast, quiet", and it's comfortable. As you can see in the video, the 10-passenger cabin is all glass except for the floor (there is a special cabin with skeleton specifications during the summer season), so you can enjoy a 360-degree view.

A bright and open space with a clear view inside the cabin

Even if there is snow on it, it is no problem if you wipe it off with your hand.

The previous gondola was a stand-up type, but the new gondola allows you to sit comfortably. The width of each leather seat is wide at 46 cm, and it is soft and comfortable to sit on. It is highly waterproof and clean. I don't really feel the impact when the gondola goes over the pillars, and the sound is quiet, so it moves smoothly, and before I know it, I feel like I've arrived at the summit station. On Sunday when I visited, there were many timings when I was wrapped in gas, so I may have felt that way because I could not enjoy the scenery.

Also wide. Even if Kenji Kono, who is 183 cm tall, stands up and spreads his hands, it is a feeling of size. About 2m30cm high and about 2m60cm wide. Getting ready to slide.

There was a long line at the start of the gondola ride, but the line was sucked into the station building in no time by the ever-rotating cabins.

RIDING ACADEMY OPENING CAMP by VECTOR GLIDE was also held on 12/12. I also saw Kenji Kono and Masayuki Akiba getting into the gondola.

Yamabiko Station, the old gondola summit station. Until last season, we used to pass through here to get to the Uenotaira slope, but it has been reborn as a spacious rest area.

The new Yamabiko station is about 100 meters above the old Yamabiko station, so you can slip into the Yamabiko area as soon as you get off the gondola. As long as I'm glad there's not this little bit of walking

This is Nagasaka Gondola Summit Station. If you exit the station building and slide in front, you will be in the Yamabiko area, and if you go left, you will be in Kaminodaira.

New "Nagasaka Center House" currently under development

With the operation of the Shin-Nagasaka Gondola, the gondola station that was there until now has been renewed as the general information facility "Nagasaka Center House".

Some of the facilities are currently under construction, and it seems that it will be in the 21st and 22nd seasons to see the completion of connecting with the new gondola Sanroku station. "Nagasaka Center House" There is an information center, a shared space that can be used for breaks, and a Salomon station with a full range of rental items. addition, Ishii Sports operates a shop in the ski resort, which is the second store following the Akita Tazawako Ski Resort.

Infectious disease measures are taken properly, such as splash prevention sheets and staff wearing masks and shields

We have plenty of stock of everyone's favorite Temless Black Edition

Salomon, Millet, Mountain Hardware, Ice Peak, Peak Performance wear and middle layer sales, and accessories such as goggles and neck warmers that are necessary for skiing.

Mr. Kuneuchi, who works concurrently with the Nagano store, stands at the store. Not only do they have a wide variety of accessories, but they also carefully explain what you need in the field according to the situation, so they are a powerful ally when you are in trouble. It seems that they are thinking about having staff from the local area stand at the store, and they are planning various easy-to-use services.

Perfect condition from the beginning of the season regardless of weather conditions

We were able to open on December 12th as planned thanks to the installation of 22 state-of-the-art snow machines over a total run distance of 3250m from the Yamabiko D course in the summit area to the Uenotaira slopes. The course at an altitude of about 1400m is a mixture of natural and artificial snow, and you can ski for a long distance.

Last Sunday, December 13th, there was still little snowfall in various places, so many skiers visited Nozawa Onsen, which can ski this distance and width. It is exactly the form that received the benefits of the snow machine to the maximum. It looks like it's going to be a steady start, and it looks like it's going to be open until golden week.

Due to the cold weather this weekend, the ski resorts in various places will be close to the full runway. The new gondola is "wider, faster and quieter". If you open the entire surface, you will be able to slide a long distance on the gondola more smoothly than before. I have a feeling that a new Nozawa Onsen routine will be created, where you can ski repeatedly on long courses with a lot of terrain changes. Why don't you go to make your ski muscles during the year when the conditions are ready?

MOUNTAIN STATUS