You can still ski! Nemoto Fuka's recommended spring Able Hakuba Goryu

Photo: Takanori Ota

Some ski resorts are gradually closing due to the snow melting earlier than usual. However, "Don't melt the snow! I still want to ski!"

There are places where you can enjoy skiing and snowboarding while enjoying the majestic scenery of the Northern Alps, from core skiers to beginners who want to try skiing and snowboarding. That is Able Hakuba Goryu.

The upper slopes of this ski resort are characterized by a long season where you can ski from the end of November to the end of May every year. There are three slope layouts, "Alps", "Tomi" and "Iimori", and there are unique dedicated areas such as mogul courses, parks, and kids' slopes. It is open for night skiing every day during the night skiing period, and is also open for early morning sunrise only on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, making it an attractive ski resort for skiers who want to ski from morning to night.

Fuka Nemoto, an ambassador for Able Hakuba Goryu, told us about the attractions of Goryu in spring and how to enjoy each course.

Even beginners can ski in the summit area with the best view! panorama course

The first is the Panorama Course, which has a slope and course width that is safe for beginners and intermediate skiers. The running distance is 850m, the maximum slope is 18°, and the average slope is 15°. Take the Goryu Telecabin (gondola) from the foot of the mountain, get off at Alps-daira Station at the top of the mountain, and take the lift right in front of you to reach this course.

The view from the gondola is wonderful, but if you go to the top of the mountain, a spectacular view of the mountains awaits. There is no need to ski a difficult course so far. Goryu-dake and other mountains of Hakuba can be seen in a powerful big panorama as if they were right next to you.

Nemoto Fuka's recommendation is, ``Beginners tend to be cautious when they hear about the summit, but Alps-daira's course has a gentle slope, so you can ski while enjoying the beautiful scenery.''
The snow is firmly packed, and even in the early morning, you can comfortably ski on the gentle slopes that are moderately tight.

For intermediate and advanced players, the edge bites well into the snow and turns smoothly. It's a so-called "misunderstanding burn" that makes you think, "Maybe I've gotten better at skiing!?"

The panorama course in the middle of the season can easily feel the cold. It is located at an altitude of 1515m, and even the ski resort advises that it should be protected from the cold, as the altitude is high. However, in the spring, there are few such worries. One of the ways to enjoy it is to enjoy the gentle breeze while sliding down the slopes.

The best view point on this course is the Alps No. 1 pair lift. This is a slightly elevated spot, and it's an exquisite photo spot to take a commemorative photo with a large panorama in the background.

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Intermediate and advanced players can improve their skills in this course! Grand Prix course

The next recommended course is the Grand Prix course. For intermediate and advanced skiers, it is Goryu's largest single slope with a run length of 900m, a maximum slope of 23°, and an average slope of 21°. The slipperiness when it is closed in the morning is exceptional. This course is skiing with the Northern Alps behind you, and you can enjoy the thrill of jumping into the foot of the mountain.

There is not only graded ground here, but also uneven ground next to the lift. The softened spring snow is the perfect environment for practicing bumps. There are long lanes, and bumps appear even where the slope is a little gentle.

"The barn has loosened up, so let's go in," she invites, "Hump is the most fun!"

That should be it. In the All Japan Basic Ski Skills Competition that was held the other day, he achieved a brilliant result of 15th place in the final, and was also certified as a National Demonstrator, who is in a position to instruct teachers as an instructor. He pulled off a spectacular slide, grabbed the attention of the lift passengers, and had the snowboarders exclaim, "Wow, yummy!" When I told him that, he smiled and said, "I'm so happy!"

“I prefer fine bumps rather than wide bumps,” he says.
Why? “If the gap between the bumps is wide, you won’t be able to wait for the switchover. In my case, if the gap is long, the tail of the ski tends to come out, so I’m not good at it…” (laughs).

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Not just landscaping! Terrain play is also possible

In addition, there are places on the Grand Prix course where you can play with a little terrain. There are trees remaining on the slopes on the skiers left side of the Grand Prix course. I asked out of curiosity, "I don't usually ski, but I'd like to try!"

As expected, it's only natural that he has solid technology, but he's good at it. He showed off his superb riding that matched the terrain and made the film crew groan.

"Isn't it cool to jump and cross boards and grab? I want to be able to do that," said
Fuka Nemoto, who showed her interest in freestyle tricks. Maybe we'll see something like that someday?

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Goryu's specialty view spot Observation deck on top of Alps-daira Station on the summit

“Actually, there is an observatory above the gondola summit station!” He recommended a 360-degree view of the Northern Alps, Mt. Asama, and Mt. Yatsugatake. Get off the gondola at the top of the mountain and climb the stairs to reach the scenery, which is a must-see. It looks like it would be a good place to spend a leisurely time while looking at the scenery.

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Lunch on the superb view terrace! Observation Restaurant Alps360

If you get tired of slipping, go to this restaurant. At Alps360, which is adjacent to the gondola mountaintop station, you can enjoy a meal while looking at the superb view as the name suggests. There is also a deck outside, so it is a spot where you can heal your fatigue while feeling the sunny spring weather.

Nemoto Fuka's recommended menu is the hearty "Shinshu miso katsudon". It is a popular menu that is available until the end of the season. There are also many other menus unique to Shinshu, so why not stop by?

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After skiing, take a break at a fashionable cafe Natural cafe Sol

Escal Plaza, which is the base of Able Hakuba Goryu, has a food court and fast food restaurants. Among them, “Natural Cafe Sol” is recommended. A vegetarian and vegan-oriented cafe, dried flowers are displayed here and there to create a stylish space. It's a stylish cafe that looks like it's in downtown.

Nemoto Fuka's selection that slipped through is "soy latte". It's nice to take a break with authentic coffee and drinks in the ski resort.

When I asked her what was so appealing about Goryu after she had finished skating, she replied, "There are courses that range from beginners to advanced skiers throughout the season." Since she was a child, she has been attending Goryu, which is why she feels the charm.

“When I was a kid, I was really free to skate, so I didn’t feel it, but when I became an instructor, I realized that it was a really good ski resort. There aren't many courses where you can practice well.The fact that you can move vertically and compactly on the slopes is a great attraction of Goryu, and I really felt it after becoming a coach.The good forest is also very wide. I think I can ski with confidence on the slopes.”

"It's a long season, and if you combine it with 47, it's quite spacious, so you can enjoy it in a variety of ways. There's also a park."

Another attraction of Goryu is the "good location of the parking lot," which visitors who come by car are concerned about. Parking lots are concentrated around Escal Plaza, which is the base of the ski resort, making it easy to get to and from the ski resort. On weekends and other busy days, you have to park your car a little further away from the ski resort, but there is a shuttle bus that makes it stress-free to come and go.

Now is the time to touch the remaining snow. Why don't you visit Able Hakuba Goryu this spring to end the season with a full range of courses, great views, delicious food and a cafe?

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shooting anecdote

introduced her brand " SPUR/s in a previous STEEP feature, " Let's wear T-shirts that make you feel like snow and skiing in the hot summer! 2022 Summer T-shirts I was asked to participate.

This shooting day is a few days after the technical selection is over.
She had made thorough preparations for the tournament, and although she had been nervous up until then, she had a completely different and cheerful expression on this day. She also received a happy comment, "For the first time in a long time, I was able to relax and enjoy skiing!" Perhaps because of her energy, the forecast was for bad weather on the day of the shoot, but there was a miracle that the clear weather continued until the end of the shoot. You must have something.

A life-size panel of Fuka Nemoto is also installed in Escal Plaza. Taking a picture with the panel is also a staple of Goryu? To.

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Interview cooperation: Able Hakuba Goryu