Ishiuchi Maruyama, where excitement and evolution never stop
Ishiuchi Maruyama boasts the largest sense of scale in the Kanetsu area and has 23 diverse courses that take advantage of the richness of the terrain. The vast field is covered with light snow brought by seasonal winds blowing from the Sea of Japan. The quality is top notch, Uonuma powder is as delicious as Uonuma Koshihikari.
Ishiuchi Maruyama is actually a ski resort with a history of 70 years.
The high-quality hospitality that has been cultivated through that tradition, and the enthusiastic “hospitality mind” of the management staff, have turned into innovative efforts and created new facilities and services one after another every year. "Ishiuchi, what's next?" "After all, stoning is good!" Where does that convincing come from? Fish pau is great, but it's really only part of the charm of Ishiuchi Maruyama. Let's explore the current Ishiuchi Maruyama, which continues to evolve with the times.
You can't find such good balance anywhere !
From a STEEP point of view, Ishiuchi Maruyama's charm lies in the wonderful balance of "slide" and "relaxation".
And each one in a higher dimension. Therefore, the total power that combines "slide" and "harmony" is overwhelming. Because STEEP readers are serious about skating. I really want to pursue the fun and technique of Uonuma powder and park rides unique to Ishiuchi. If you chill out and recharge your energy, you'll be able to skate more, improve your technique, and have infinitely more fun!
'20-21 Featured topics verify Ishiuchi Maruyama's "golden balance"!
"Golden balance" is "1:1.618", the ratio that human beings feel is the most beautiful. Its roots go back to ancient Greece, but putting that aside, in terms of STEEP, it's "the most enjoyable and comfortable ratio for people who love skiing". This 2020-21 season, I will list the topics that will be attractive to Ishiuchi Maruyama. It turns out that Ishiuchi Maruyama is exactly the golden balance.
| Riding |
| 1. Beautiful tree run in the summit area finally opened |
| 2. Excellent course design with exquisite slope and length |
| 3. Exquisite Uonuma powder that tastes just like Uonuma Koshihikari |
| 4. Ultra-comfortable Sunrise Express with outstanding mobility and hospitality |
| 5. A top-class snow park that has created a culture |
| 6. One of the largest scale night skiing in Japan |
| 7. Get a 1-day ticket at a discount by purchasing in advance online |
| Chilling |
| 8. New normal chill out style "Snow garden" |
| 9. Refined and relaxing space "Austria House" |
| Ten. "Ishiuchi's gele food" is considered a mecca for local gourmet in the ski world. |
Let's unravel the charm
Ishiuchi Maruyama's 2020-21 season's attractive lineup. Let's introduce one after another. The real thing starts from here!
Beautiful tree run in the summit area finally opened
A tree run in the summit area that was secretly known among the locals. This season, there are two official tree run areas open to the public: the summit area and the mid-mountain area. With this, when it snows, you can enjoy the powder to your heart's content. I'm so happy.
A lot of powder is accumulated in the beautiful trees like the photo. Hahaha! The fun that makes you want to raise your voice. Tree run is interesting to ride rhythmically on the unevenness of the natural terrain.
However, when skiing, be sure to wear a helmet and strictly observe the precautions (see the official website). Check the rules and have fun.
❖Tree run detailed information (official website) https://ishiuchi.or.jp/treerun/
Excellent course design with exquisite slope and length
If you look at the slope map above, you will be overwhelmed by the number of courses.
That number is 23! The longest run is 4km, and the total area of the ski resort is 236ha. The course is full of variety by making use of the rich natural topography of the vast field. The course design is a good point for STEEP. The balance between the slope and distance of each slope is just right. Therefore, the riding time for one lift and the satisfaction of the ski course are just right. This is true for all lifts.
Exquisite Uonuma powder that tastes just like Uonuma Koshihikari
The seasonal winds blowing from the Sea of Japan hit the high-altitude Tanigawa mountain range, bringing a large amount of snow to this area every winter.
The feature is that not only the amount but also the snow quality is light. Uonuma powder is just as proud of its quality as Koshihikari rice from Uonuma. Especially during the high season from January to February, the temperature is low and light snow falls heavily, so the entire ski resort is covered in fine powder. Especially in the 2020-21 season, heavy snow has continued since mid-December, and the fresh snow has piled up, making the slope conditions excellent. You can efficiently turn the non-compacted snow area on the slopes with the lift and enjoy the powder constantly.
Ultra-comfortable Sunrise Express with outstanding mobility and hospitality
The world's first combination lift introduced from the 2018-19 season, the "Sunrise Express", which has a gondola and a chair in one lift, has become a stone strike.
This lift is super comfortable and a symbol of Ishiuchi hospitality. Because it has seat heaters! A bucket seat like a racing car is fluffy. It's warm and comfortable to sit on, so I feel like I want to ride the lift a little more. The 10-passenger gondola has a wide entrance and is very smooth when bringing in a board. Even when passing through the pillars, it is quiet and does not feel a big shake.
A top-class snow park that has created a culture
Ishiuchi has created Japan's park culture as a long-established store with over 20 years of park management experience. Its scale, number of items, content quality, and ingenious layout are highly evaluated. It has two parks, a main park and a beginner park, and even has the world's largest "GungHo Monster Pipe". In addition to these, perfect condition maintenance is added, and it boasts the park environment of the highest level in Japan without any complaints.
The main park takes advantage of the wide course width, and Ishiuchi boasts a wide variety of jib items designed to be approached not only vertically but also horizontally. It has a reputation for having the highest level jib items in Japan. There are also jumps that are just right for intermediate-advanced practice from 8 to 13m. By being able to move sideways and move three-dimensionally, the ways to play are endless. It's enough to keep you engrossed in playing all day long. I am grateful that I can use a high-speed four-seater lift, so I can turn it efficiently.
One of the largest scale night skiing in Japan
"Night skiing here is the best! There are even locals who only ski at night," says killer mountain Ishiuchi Maruyama. With a maximum run length of 3,000m, it is one of the largest in the Yuzawa area. There aren't many ski resorts that have enough slipperiness just for night skiing.
The temperature at night is clearly lower than during the day, so the quality of the snow is excellent. Because the number of people is sparse, it feels like you have the vast slopes all to yourself. The tight snow makes the board run, and you can see that the speed is naturally higher than usual. The pleasure of carving a long grooming bar illuminated by cocktail rays and playing with the terrain at night are irresistible.
New normal chill out style
"SNOW GARDEN" grand opening!
"Ishiuchi Maruyama's 2020-21 season's flagship project, which has continued to make innovative efforts in line with the trends of the times, is 'SNOW GARDEN.'
It is a chill-out space that spreads out immediately after getting off the Sunrise Express. The first thing to notice is the snow dome tent in the photo. In this season of corona misfortune, there will be nothing more timely. The luxury of relaxing in a private room while gazing at the beautiful snowy scenery. This special feeling and sense of security is really good, and it has become a flood of popularity immediately after opening.
SNOW GARDEN also has a snow terrace where you can relax in the sunshine and a cafe where you can enjoy European treats. You can also enjoy snow activities such as snowshoeing and snow tubing, so you can have plenty of fun without wearing skis. Perfect for families with children.
Actually, around autumn, the STEEP editorial department received a guide to the snow garden. However, when I actually used it on the snow, it was very atmospheric and I thought, "Oh, it's good, it's working, it's healing, it's really good!"
* SNOW GARDEN usage fee: Adults 1,500 yen
Dome tent priority system for pre-registration (30 minutes unit).
Applications are accepted until 16:00 the day before .
Super-sophisticated relaxing space "Austria House"
The "Austria Snow House" was opened in the 2018-2019 season to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the friendship between Japan and Austria.
The panoramic view of the Uonuma Plain and Echigo Sanzan that fills the window, and the flames of the fireplace will warm your body and soul. It becomes a refuge spot to get the warmth of salvation on a cold snowstorm day. This is also the starting point of SNOW GARDEN, and it also sells take-out menus that can be enjoyed at the reception desk and the snow dome terrace.
There is a cafe-style relaxing space, and there is also a free lounge on the first floor.
At the opening of SNOW GARDEN, Austrian Snow House will offer a new “Snow Country Pancake” supervised by a local pastry chef. A fluffy pancake topped with plenty of fruit, ice cream or whipped cream. It's perfect for replenishing energy with sugar when you're a little tired after skating a lot.
"Ishiuchi's gele food" is considered a mecca for local gourmet in the ski world.
Ishiuchi Maruyama also has 24 restaurants scattered around the slopes that you cannot miss.
Because it is privately run, it has a wide variety of unique dishes, from authentic Western food to local gourmet, and the taste of mother's home with a rural atmosphere. The quality is so high that it is praised as "Gere food that surpasses Gere food". I would definitely like to try the ingredients unique to this area, such as Ishiuchi Koshihikari and Echigo Mochibuta. At the restaurants on the mountain tops and in the mountainside areas, you can enjoy delicious meals while gazing at the wonderful scenery of the snowy mountains under the blue sky. There are quite a few skiers and snowboarders who are fascinated by this gel food. I want to enjoy lunch and dinner at various shops after skating a lot all day long!
Get a 1-day ticket at a discount by purchasing in advance online
If you purchase a lift ticket in advance on the web, the normal 5,300 yen one-day ticket (3,500 yen for children, 4,500 yen for seniors) will be 4,500 yen, 15% off.
If you arrive late, you can use the "afternoon + night ticket", which is convenient. *Expiration date: Until March 21, 2021 "Afternoon + night ticket" can be used until March 14
◆ Click here to purchase https://ishiuchi.or.jp/tips/onlineticket/
