There's still plenty of time to ski! Fuka Nemoto's Spring Able Hakuba Goryu Ski Resort

Photo: Takanori Ota

Due to the snow melting earlier than usual, some ski resorts are gradually closing. However, the true feelings of skiers are probably, "Please don't melt the snow! I want to keep skiing!"

From hardcore skiers to beginners who just want to give skiing or snowboarding a try, there is a place where you can enjoy skiing and snowboarding while taking in the majestic scenery of the Northern Alps. That place is Able Hakuba Goryu

The upper slopes of this ski resort are characterized by their long season, which typically runs from late November through to the end of the Golden Week holidays in May. The slope layout is made up of three sections - Alps, Toomi, and Iimori - and each has its own unique area, including a mogul course, park, and kids' slope. During the night skiing period, the resort is open every day, and also has early morning sunrise skiing on weekends and holidays, making it an attractive ski resort for skiers who want to ski from morning until night

We spoke to Nemoto Fuka, who is based in Goryu and also serves as an ambassador for Able Hakuba Goryu, about the charms of Goryu in spring and how to enjoy each course

Even beginners can enjoy skiing at the summit area with the best views! Panorama Course

First up is the Panorama Course, which has a slope and width suitable for beginners and intermediate skiers. The run is 850m long, with a maximum slope of 18° and an average slope of 15°. To get to this course, take the Goryu Telecabin (gondola) from the foot of the mountain, get off at Alpsdaira Station at the top, and then take the lift right in front of you

The view from the gondola is fantastic, but if you go even further up to the summit, a spectacular view of the mountains awaits. There's no need to ski down such a difficult course. You can enjoy a spectacular panorama of the majestic Mount Goryu and the other Hakuba mountains, as if they were right nearby

Fuka Nemoto's top recommendation is, "When you hear that it's the summit, beginners tend to be cautious, but the slopes at Alps-daira are gentle, so you can ski safely while enjoying the beautiful scenery."
The snow is well-packed, and even first thing in the morning it's firm enough to make for a pleasant ski down the gentle slopes.

For intermediate and advanced skiers, the edges grip the snow well, allowing for smooth turns. This is the kind of "misguided run" that makes you think, "Maybe I've gotten better at skiing!"

The Panorama Course can be very cold in the middle of the season. Located at an altitude of 1,515m, the ski resort even warns visitors to "dress warmly due to the high altitude." However, in the spring, there are fewer such concerns. One way to enjoy the course is to leisurely ski down the slopes while feeling the pleasant breeze

The best view point on this course is the landing point of the Alps No. 1 Pair Lift. This is on a slightly elevated area, making it an excellent spot for taking commemorative photos with the magnificent panorama as the background

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Intermediate and advanced players can hone their skills on this course! Grand Prix Course

The next recommended course is the Grand Prix course. It's geared towards intermediate and advanced skiers, and is the longest single run at Goryu, with a 900m run, a maximum gradient of 23°, and an average gradient of 21°. The ease of skiing when the skies are firm in the morning is exceptional. On this course, you can ski with the Northern Alps at your back, experiencing the thrill of diving into the foothills

This place is not only smooth, but also has rough terrain beside the lifts. The soft spring snow is the perfect environment for practicing moguls. There are long lanes, and moguls appear even on gentler slopes

"The burn has eased up so let's go in," she invites me, and says, "The moguls are the most fun!"

That's no surprise. He recently achieved the brilliant result of placing 15th in the finals of the All Japan Technical Basic Ski Championships, and is also a certified national demonstrator, a position that allows him to instruct teachers. He showed off his amazing skiing skills, attracting the attention of the customers on the lift, and a snowboarder exclaimed, "Wow, that's good!" When I told him this, he beamed and said, "Yay! I'm so happy!"

"I prefer small moguls to ones with wide gaps," she says. Why is that?
"When the gaps between the moguls are wide, I can't wait for the transition. In my case, when the gaps are long, the tail of my skis tends to come out, which I don't like... (laughs)."

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It's not just about leveling the ground! You can also play with the terrain

Furthermore, the Grand Prix course also has a place where you can have a little fun with the terrain. There are trees remaining on the slope on the skier's left side of the Grand Prix course, and I asked out of curiosity what would happen if a top beginner skier were to ski in the tree area, which usually has unremarkable terrain... and he replied, "I don't usually ski here, but I'd like to try!" So I decided to give it a go, and I waited at the bottom with my camera ready..

As expected, or rather, as one would expect from someone with solid skills, he was good. He showed off his amazing riding skills, adapting to the terrain, and impressed the filming crew

Nemoto Fuka also showed interest in freestyle tricks, saying, "Jumping and crossing the board or grabbing is so cool, isn't it? I'd like to be able to do that."

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A famous view spot of Goryu: the observation deck above Alpsdaira Station on the summit

"There's actually an observation deck at the top of the gondola station!" he recommended, referring to a view spot that offers a 360-degree view from the Northern Alps to Mount Asama and Mount Yatsugatake. The view you get off the gondola at the top of the mountain and then climb up the stairs to reach is a must-see. It seems like a great place to spend some time relaxing while enjoying the view

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Enjoy lunch on the terrace with a spectacular view! Panoramic Restaurant Alps360

If you get tired from skiing, head to this restaurant. Alps360 is adjacent to the gondola summit station, and as the name suggests, you can enjoy a meal while taking in the spectacular view. There is also an outdoor deck, so it is a great spot to relax and unwind while enjoying the bright spring weather

Nemoto Fuka's recommended dish is the hearty "Shinshu Miso Katsudon." It's a popular dish that will be available until the end of the season. There are also plenty of other Shinshu-only dishes, so why not stop by?

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After skiing, take a break at the stylish cafe Sol

Escal Plaza, the base of Able Hakuba Goryu, is home to a food court and fast food restaurants. One of the places recommended by the staff was the Natural Cafe Sol. This vegetarian/vegan-oriented cafe is decorated with dried flowers here and there, creating a stylish atmosphere. It's a stylish cafe that feels like it's located right in the city

After finishing up her skiing, Fuka Nemoto selected a "soy latte." It's nice to be able to take a break and enjoy some authentic coffee or a drink at the ski resort

After she finished skiing, we asked her again, "What is the appeal of Goryu?" and she replied, "There are plenty of courses for everyone from beginners to advanced skiers throughout the season." This is an appeal that she can understand precisely because she has been going to Goryu since she was a child

"When I was a child, I was able to ski freely, so I didn't feel that way, but now that I'm an instructor, I think it's a really great ski resort. It's rare to find a place that has runs that beginners can ski right from the start, and runs that advanced skiers can practice on properly. Since becoming an instructor, I've really felt that Goryu's great appeal is that you can move around the slopes in a compact vertical fashion. Iimori also has a very wide slope, so I think you can ski there with peace of mind."

"The season is long, and when combined with 47, it's quite large, so there are lots of different ways to enjoy it. There's also a park."

Another attraction of Goryu is the "good location of parking lots," something that visitors who arrive by car often value. Parking lots are concentrated around Escal Plaza, the base of the ski resort, making it easy to get to and from the ski resort. On busy days such as weekends, you may have to park a little further from the resort, but a shuttle bus runs, making getting there and back stress-free

Now is the time to experience the remaining snow. To conclude the season, why not head to Able Hakuba Goryu this spring, which has all three elements: a wide range of courses, amazing views, delicious food, and a cafe?

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Filming anecdotes

her we previously SPUR/s, Wear T-shirts that make you feel like you're snow and skiing in the hot summer! 2022 Summer T-shirts ."

The shoot took place a few days after the technical selection. She had been thoroughly prepared for the competition and had been on edge up until then, but on this day she looked completely different and cheerful. We also received a happy comment from her saying, "It's been a while since I was able to relax and enjoy skiing!"
Perhaps because of her energy, the weather forecast for the shoot was bad, but miraculously the sunshine continued until the end of the shoot. She must have something special.

A life-size panel of Fuka Nemoto has also been installed inside Escal Plaza. Taking a photo with the panel has become a Goryu staple

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Interview cooperation: Able Hakuba Goryu