Located in the southwestern part of Iwate Prefecture, about 500km from the city center.
The summer oil plateau that makes "heavy snow" a selling point. If you are a reader of STEEP, it is a ski resort that you would like to visit at least once. True to his words, it snows every night in the high season, and the powder reset rate in January is 70%, and even in February it boasts an amazing figure of over 60%. Natsuyu has many enthusiastic fans looking for powder, but it also has a wide area to ski.
Therefore, this time, we will explain the charm of Natsuyu based on the day when skier Allen Kajita and snowboarder Yuki Furuhata, who are familiar with this ski resort, had a session together. First of all, I would like you to watch the clip of the session.
Why does summer oil snow so much?
When it comes to areas with heavy snowfall in Japan, there are several famous places such as Hakkoda in Aomori Prefecture, Mt. Gassan in Yamagata Prefecture, and the Myoko area in Niigata Prefecture. Under such circumstances, why does it snow so much on this slope in Iwate Prefecture, where Natsuyu is located, and the top of the slope is 1,077m above sea level?
First, the snow clouds that bring snow to Japan come from the Siberian Peninsula on the other side of the Sea of Japan, and hit the Japanese archipelago to make it snow. Among the Ou Mountain Range, which is the prefectural border with Akita Prefecture, Mt. Akita-Komagatake (1,637m above sea level), Mt. To position. Natsuyu Plateau is located in the middle, right on the path of the snow clouds. With nowhere to escape, snow clouds converge on the summer oil plateau and make it snow. For this reason, it always ranks high in the goo ski resort snowfall ranking every year, and the powder encounter rate is also high.
Natsuyu's tree run area is vast!
The fan-shaped slope base has a center house with a high ceiling, where meals, rentals, parking and slope facilities are all in one place. Also, there are two gondolas from the base to the top of the course, so you can ski all the courses with just one gondola. If you are in a carrier, you will not be exposed to snow, so you can move comfortably. It is a ski resort where various facilities are efficiently arranged at the base with wide slopes.
Taking advantage of the blessed environment and snowfall, Natsuyu is focusing on the tree run area, and there are 10 tree run areas. Each has its own characteristics such as slope and topography, but in general, the feature of Natsuyu's tree run area is that the beech trees grow at wide intervals. The trees are well-spaced, so you don't have to rush and turn, and you can glide through beautiful scenery. In addition, the area is divided into four levels, making it easy to understand the tree run area that you can enter at your level.
There is a separate article that explains the difficulty of each tree run area in detail, so if you want to know more, please check here.
Also, this tree area is a completely self-responsible area, and it is necessary to wear a helmet and have a mobile phone. Know the emergency contact number for the slopes (phone: 0197-72-8848) in case of an accident. The situation in this non-management area is updated on
the homepage In addition to this many tree run areas within the ski resort, you can also ski in an even wider forest if you submit a mountain climbing notification to the "Mountain Information" located next to the ticket center. It's a backcountry area, so let's go skiing with someone who knows the terrain well.
At the ski center at the base, there is a map showing the slope conditions of the day at a glance. Look through your eyes before you slip
Summer oil charm and strategy taught by riders
Let's ask snowboarder Yuki Furuhata about the appeal of Natsuyu.
One day in January when I interviewed, it snowed and the truck from the previous day disappeared. Snowboarder Yuki Furuhata and skier Allen Kajita thrilling powder
“I think Niigata and other areas along the Sea of Japan get a lot of snow, but in my image Natsuyu has a lighter version of that. Even without it, there are many days when it's only raining, so it's the most "safe ski resort" for me.In my case, I have a base in Miyagi and when I ski. In the Tohoku area, I often aim for the best spots on that day, but even if it's not raining at the surrounding ski resorts, it's still raining summer oil.
“There aren’t many places in the Tohoku area where you can go up in a gondola and ski on powder. Summer oil is great because you can spin the best powder and BC. If you get stuck on a snowboard, you won't be able to paddle like a skier, so finding the line is very important.If you get stuck, it takes time to return to the course, and it takes a lot of physical strength, so it's dangerous.Summer oil is a board. The snow quality is easy to run on, so you don't get stuck too much.Even so, there are days when it snows too much and you get stuck, but on those days the tree run area can't be opened.The staff at the ski resort said that The knowledge they have is also attractive.The staff at this ski resort are very knowledgeable about snow, and they give top priority to the safety of customers, so I feel at ease.”
Natsuyu is characterized by its rows of beautiful beech trees. It's comfortable just to stand in the white snow-covered forest
Skier Allen Kajita talks about the appeal of Natsuyu.
“The gondolas in Natsuyu are very efficient, and there are many slopes, so you want to come when you want to ski. Of course, it's good for tree runs, but the Natsuyu Plateau that I know is fun to ski on the slopes because there are uncompacted snow slopes, side pows, and walls that you can hit. On the first day, I go to B3, which is a non-compacted snow slope.B2 is also a steep slope with non-compacted snow, so it feels good to ski first thing in the morning.After skiing the slopes, I wonder if I'll go to the summit or shooter in the tree run area from there. After that, if you still want powder, you can submit a mountaineering registration and go to the backcountry area.”
“In addition, if the area around the beach is not too bumpy, it is recommended for those who want to fly because there is mash! The tree run has a wide area and space, so you can secure a landing and make turns easily.Saturdays and Sundays are competitive. It is also recommended to use the skier's bed and come here on weekdays.Also, there are many small and large creeks in Natsuyu, and if you are a skier, you can traverse the slopes. It's also interesting to be able to choose the slope you like, like skating, then moving to another side and then skating."
A session between people wearing different boards is interesting because it creates different ways of playing and perspectives even on the same terrain
Furuhata agrees that not only tree runs and powder, but also grooming bahns are fun.
“The grooming barn is great. There are no steps and the course is wide. Summer oil has a big image of powder and tree runs, but there is grooming and there is a park, so even families can enjoy it. I go to the stream and shooter, or the non-compacted snow course next to gondola No. 2. I ski evenly in the tree run area, but I especially like the shooter No. 1 because of its slope.”
"It's fun because there are several jumping points. There are many streams, so it's fun as a snowboarder. There are lots of streams for snowboarders, so it's fun because you can ski like HP. Today's skier's perspective. It was fun because I was able to go here and there.”
The quality of the summer oil grooming burn is not to be underestimated. It has a lot of compacted snow, is steep, and wide. You'll know right away that it's a ski resort where you just have to ski once.
Natsuyu's tree run area is huge, with an endless powder field.
Guided tours are also available to fully enjoy the area. There are plenty of services that are easy to understand even for first-time visitors to Natsuo, such as tree run area guides and heavy snowfall guides, which can only be known by guides who are familiar with Natsuo's topography, so let's check them out. Click here for guide services
Summer oil with full facilities
As Kajita mentioned earlier, one of Natsuyu's unique points is that the ski center has a lodging facility called "skiers' bed." Dormitory-type beds are available, and you can stay at a reasonable price. It's a perfect service for those who want to slide. Not only is the price kept low, but people who love to ski gather in the rest space where they eat dinner and breakfast, and the cozy atmosphere is irresistible. Of course, there are also private rooms, so if you want to stay for a long time and enjoy the powder of summer oil, we recommend using a skier's bed.
Also, although it is located on top of a mountain, it is not to be missed that it is easily accessible.
There is also a shuttle bus from Kitakami Station, which is a Shinkansen station, so even people in the Kanto area can easily come to the ski resort without using a car. The snowy season continues.
I want you to visit Natsuyu once this season to experience the “heavy snowfall” that surpasses what you hear.
The rider who slipped this time
SKI: Allen Kajita (left)
Based in the Hachimantai area of Iwate Prefecture, after participating in competitions such as moguls and big air, he works and shoots in freeride competitions such as FWQ and JFO and in the BC area.
Instagram: @alain_natural
SB: Yuki Furuhata (right)
Traveled around the world as a former halfpipe player. He is currently chasing the best powder, mainly in the Tohoku backcountry area. He also runs his own shop " DREAD HOUSE " and continues to excite the snowboard scene.
Instagram: @yukifurihata
■Information
Natsuyu Kogen Ski Resort
〒024-0322 Iwasaki Shinden, Waga-cho, Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture
Official site: https://www.getokogen.com/winter/
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