“National No. 1 Ski Resort Popularity Ranking”!? What kind of ski resort is Gransnow Okuibuki?　

Photo: Koichi Ishimori

Gransnow Okuibuki is a ski resort boasting good access from the Chukyo and Kansai regions, 50 minutes from Nagoya, 80 minutes from Kyoto, and 100 minutes from Osaka. It is also one of the largest ski resorts in the Kansai area, with a lineup of powder and steep slope courses for advanced skiers. By the way, according to the popularity ranking of ski resorts on a certain site, it ranks first in Japan. _※has also been selected as(* National Ski Resort Popularity Ranking 2020-21 surveyed by Weather News”
This time, what kind of ski resort is Gransnow Okuibuki? Why is it a hotspot? I want to approach The person who skied was Satsuki Ito, a local of Okuibuki who has been active in the world moguls competition scene such as the World Cup and the World Championships.

What is Gransnow Okuibuki?

Gransnow Okuibuki is one of the hottest ski resorts in the Kansai area. Only 50 minutes from Nagoya, 80 minutes from Kyoto, 100 minutes from Osaka, and 30 minutes from the interchange for car enthusiasts in the Kansai and Chubu areas, it's perfect for a day trip. The parking lot is mega-sized, accommodating 2,700 cars, and there is an elevator that takes you directly to the slopes, so it's easy to move from the parking lot.

The approach is easy even if you use a train or bus. The location is 55 minutes by shuttle bus from JR Maibara Station, where the Shinkansen also stops, and direct buses from JR Kyoto Station and Osaka Station.

In addition, approximately 250,000 visitors will visit GranSnow Okuibuki in the 2021-22 season. This scale is comparable to well-established ski resorts in eastern Japan, such as Naeba Ski Resort and Hakuba Happoone Ski Resort. Even under the severe situation of tourism due to COVID-19, 6,000 people visit Gransnow Okuibuki on weekends, and 2,500 people visit every day on weekdays.

Popular secret ① ~ Incredible amount of snowfall

The cover of the pamphlet for GranSnow Okuibuki states, "Amount of accumulated snow is 11m82cm, the best in Japan!" World's No. 1 in Shiga Prefecture? I wonder where it came from, Mt. Ibuki, where the world's highest amount of snow was observed. With an altitude of 1.377m (the highest peak in Shiga Prefecture), it is located on the border of Shiga and Gifu Prefectures, and has been selected as one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains. Because Gransnow Okuibuki is located at the foot of Mt.

"Okuibuki's powder is amazing" is actually well known to skiers and snowboarders living in the Kansai and Chukyo areas. Mogul athlete Satsuki Ito, who is also a local of Okuibuki and has been active in Japan and overseas, also comes to powder hunt on weekend mornings when it snows.

Satsuki Ito is delighted with the powder from Gran Snow Okuibuki

The day the STEEP editorial department visited for shooting was a weekday in early February. Fresh snow piled up from the previous day, and as you can see, the slope top area is untracked. Satsuki Ito brought a fat ski for powder instead of a mogul board. While raising the spray, he made a rhythmic powder turn, "Wow! The powder feels so good! The snow is so slippery! It's so much fun!"

Popular secret 2 ~ Steep and deep course for advanced users is interesting

In contrast to the cute slope map, GranSnow Okuibuki boasts a variety of freeskiing courses such as powder, steep slopes, and long runs. It has 4 expert courses out of 14 courses, one of which is dedicated to skiers. On a clear day, you can see the beautiful Mt. Mitake and the Shirouma mountain range in the distance.

Steep slopes with a maximum gradient of 46 degrees in Japan, non-compacted snow course, tree run in beech forest, mogul barn where Olympia was born, snow park, of course, are perfect for playing according to your level and tastes. is the depth of

Introducing a course where you can enjoy the powder of the famous Grand Snow Okuibuki!

For STEEP users, we asked them to introduce the recommended course of "If you are aiming for powder, here!"

Heavenly 46°　　

Run distance: 400m Slope: Maximum 46°/Average 43° North facing

The maximum slope of 46° is the steepest in Japan! It's a course for experts that makes you think of a backcountry, but it's a special spot that only opens when the snow is solid and the conditions are good. Unfortunately, it was closed on the day we visited, so Satsuki Ito introduced us at the entrance.

As you can see in the picture, from the entrance of the course, follow a narrow corridor for a while. When you reach the top, the slope is so steep that you can't see the bottom. In the morning when fresh powder accumulates here, it will look like this photo. If the course was open, it would be the best No. 1.

Mont Blanc

Run distance: 500m Slope: Maximum 30°/Average 25° North facing

A non-compressed snow course where you can enjoy powder riding after snowfall. It is a line that slides along the ridge to the left from the Montblanc pair lift. It is easy to keep good snow conditions because it faces north. The secret to its popularity is that it can be rotated with a single lift. You can also enjoy a magnificent panorama from the top of the course.

Tenguiwa Course

Run distance: 900m Slope: Maximum 30°/Average 22° North facing

A long course that slides from the top of the slope to the bottom. A large rock that looks like a tengu's eboshi is a landmark. It is basically a compacted snow course, but there is a triangular spot where powder accumulates on the right side of the course. The patrol is commonly called "Onigiri", and after the snowfall, it becomes a powder spot for the local government.

Sky view course

Run distance: 300m Slope: Maximum 20°/Average 13°　

It is a course at the top of the slope (1,250m), and it is reached by changing three lifts from the bottom. On a clear sunny day, you can see Shiga Prefecture all the way to the Northern Alps of Nagano Prefecture. You can spend a relaxing time enjoying the tree run while enjoying the tranquility in the beautiful virgin beech forest. There are few people, so the probability of powder remaining is high. You can enjoy the tree and powder by spinning around on the sky view lift.

champion course

Run distance: 500m Slope: Maximum 33°/Average 30°　

A champion course dedicated to skiers that Satsuki Ito has been frequenting since childhood. The face is 500m long with an average slope of 30 degrees, and the hard bumps continue neatly. It is one of the best courses in Kansai that has produced top athletes who are active in the world. Many cobb enthusiasts come from far away just to ski this course. Of course, after a snowfall, it becomes a happy powder line.

Secret of Popularity 3-Gourmet that makes you want to conquer all menus

The popularity of GranSnow Okuibuki is not only due to the goodness of the course. We also want to pay attention to the ski slope gourmet that is exceptionally fulfilling.

The food park piste and food court in the center house have a spacious space with 1,300 seats and a stylish interior. There are many international and unique menus. All of the dishes have a luxurious appearance that is “Instagrammable” and the quality of taste is also excellent.

On this day, the main dishes that the STEEP shooting team chose at the food court were these three dishes.

In addition, hot pizza and paella baked in a stone oven, omelet rice like a Western restaurant, Omi beef steak rice bowl, short rib ramen, authentic sweets, and Okuibuki that uses plenty of fresh ingredients in collaboration with a local farm. Enjoy a wide variety of over 80 types of gourmet food, including unique flavors. There is also local craft beer, and some people spend their time relaxing during the day with meals and cafe main. Drinks such as coffee are 100 yen! It makes me want to stay longer.

Master of Okuibuki Gourmet?
According to Satsuki Ito , “Everything on the menu is really delicious. It's unbelievable, isn't it! Some people say they can eat and drink at the food court all day long and not have to ski!

Popular secret 4-Practice the interesting things right away! the makers of

There is always something to be enjoyed

If you look at the event calendar of GranSnow Okuibuki, you will be amazed at the variety of events. There is also "Ikemen Day" on "Ladies' Day", and lift tickets for men are 2,500 yen. In addition, a large discount service that almost everyone can get lift tickets at half price, such as couple day, high school student only lift ticket free day, couple day, high school student only lift ticket half price day There is

On top of that, there are even surprise special days such as a free bus day and a free meal day. In addition, there are always “good deals” and “interesting things” happening, such as festive events and campaigns, lessons and competitions that everyone can enjoy.

These are the people who make these things

Gransnow Okuibuki is actually a family business, and is now the 3rd generation from the founder. The momentum of Okuibuki right now is due to the strength of this family. The chairman, Joji Kusano, is 72 years old and an active skier who skis 60 days a year, but he is also a strategist who skillfully reads human psychology. His eldest son, Mr. Jota, is the president of the company, and he personally patrols the site by mobile like this and is in charge of even operating the artificial snow machine. His managing director's second son, Johji, is also in charge of public relations. He is also devoted to sending detailed messages on SNS.

Sensitively catch the needs of users, and if the top thinks it is good, it will be put into practice immediately. The amazing ability to attract customers is not only due to the quality of the course and the fun of the mountains, but also the fact that it continues to realize various services that reach the hearts of users strategically and with outstanding speed. deaf.

The warm mindset of ``I will do whatever I can to make my guests smile'' creates a unique home-like atmosphere in Okuibuki. Satsuki Ito, of course, is one of those families. With a bright smile, she told us about the fun of GrandSnow Okuibuki, which she calls “my favorite home.”

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■Information

Gransnow Okuibuki
, Maibara City, Shiga Prefecture
Official website: https://www.okuibuki.co.jp/Official
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