The Yamabiko Slope at the top of Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort has 5 courses as well as natural topography such as tree runs and streams, so during the season it is full of powder skiers and many other skiers. .
The altitude of the summit is 1,650m. The highlight is the 360-degree panorama that can be seen all the way to the Sea of Japan on a clear day. The lift going through a mixture of beech and white birch trees feels good, and the view from the lift hood is the best.
The Yamabiko slopes are covered with high-quality snow, and the amount of snow accumulated is large throughout the season. For that reason, on powder days, the voices of joy resound and there are lines in various places in the area. As long as you don't pass through the ropes or nets, you will always be able to return to the course no matter where you ski, such as slopes with compacted snow, between trees, the shape of streams, and gradual terrain changes along the side of the course.
However, since this is a "self-responsibility area", the ski resort is not responsible for injuries caused by bumping into a standing tree or lift. It is open on the premise of such a point.
This area is popular during the fresh snow, and when it snows, it attacks the powder, but when the snow loosens from now on, the goal is to have a rich terrain. The gentle swamp topography due to the large amount of snow will reveal its original appearance as the snow melts, just like a natural banked slalom. You can enjoy a special pleasure with powder.
The model in the photo enjoying the topography of the Yamabiko slope is Taiga Tomii, who won the All Japan Alpine Championship GS the other day.
A native of Nozawa Onsen, he has been skating on this yamabiko since he was in elementary and junior high school, and finds a different kind of pleasure from alpine competitions on these slopes. Last year, he participated in an event (Disruption Cup) held in Garmisch by K2, which receives support, along with Godai Sakamoto, and finished in 5th place along with Sean Pettit and other strong players.
By the way, here are the skis I was wearing at the time.
“Yamabiko swamp” that even active alpine athletes are fascinated by. You can make full use of the slide according to the terrain of the swamp to hit it, find a place where you can fly and connect it while jumping like a half pipe, or carve a low part of the wall with a carving ski with a sharp edge. You can cut it. Terrain play in spring is just as fun as in high season. Enjoy the swamp terrain to your heart's content.
By the way, the altitude difference from the summit to the bottom is 1,085m, and the skiing distance is long, and the skiing area is one of the largest in Japan for a single ski resort. The slopes are wide and have 36 courses in total. Starting with the newly established Nagasaka gondola, lifts are arranged in an exquisite way, so you can efficiently flow into various courses.
the 99th All Japan Championship GS
Instagram @taiga_tomii