It's late January. The coldest air mass of the season has completely enveloped the Sea of Japan coast, bringing abundant snow to many areas. From a skier's perspective, these are the best conditions you'll see this season. This is not a time to miss
I heard that the Tohoku region had been experiencing constant rain for nearly a week, so I decided to head to Appi Kogen Ski Resort,
The vehicle for this journey is the DEFENDER 130. The ski trip begins the moment you set off. Distance, time, and conditions all factor into this unforgettable EPIC ADVENTURE. When facing the tough snowy mountains, your car is also a piece of reliable gear.
The essence of TOUGH LUXURY. The V8's spaciousness and visibility make long journeys a bliss
The DEFENDER 130 is a spacious eight-seater that can be enjoyed comfortably even on long drives. The second row of the vehicle in question is equipped with captain's chairs (optional), which are equipped with dedicated heaters, armrests, winged headrests, cup holders, and more. The temperature inside the vehicle can be freely controlled from the rear seats.
Folding down the third row seats creates a large luggage compartment, which can easily accommodate not only the gear needed for skiing, but also long skis.
The scenery gradually changes as you drive north, passing through skyscrapers, suburban cityscapes, rural landscapes, and mountain passes. After about two hours of driving the Defender 130, you realize that your body is hardly tired at all
One of the reasons for this is that despite its large size (5275mm in length, 1995mm in width, and 1970mm in height), the seating position is high, providing a "command position" that allows for a commanding view of the surroundings. Because the view is secured from a higher-than-normal vantage point, the position of the vehicle and the distance to objects can be accurately grasped, making it easy to handle despite its large size. The square shape unique to the DEFENDER also makes it easy to get a sense of the body
The other is the power of the gasoline V8 engine. With your foot on the accelerator, you apply just the right amount of pressure, like gently touching powdery snow, and the car accelerates smoothly. It's an agile car that makes long hills a breeze. It's powerful, but not too rugged, and gives the impression of a refined ride
The exterior of the Defender 130 is shaped by function, not decoration. The square body, short overhangs, and window shape are designed to provide good visibility. All of these are designed to enable off-road performance in adverse conditions. The materials are tough, yet the construction is simple. Yet the quality is high
Travelling long distances and driving on snowy roads. When you imagine how this car will be used, everything about its design is rational. Comfort is important precisely because it will be in a variety of environments. This is what the Defender 130 calls TOUGH LUXURY
Changing road surfaces, unchanging comfort. Feeling relaxed on snowy roads
As we approached Appi, the expressway was hit by a cold air mass and the road conditions changed to a variety of winter conditions, including packed snow, ice, slush, and dry roads. The Defender 130 remained stable in all these conditions
Especially when starting off on snowy roads, you can feel the torque of the V8 engine, which starts the heavy vehicle smoothly without having to press hard on the accelerator. By monitoring the road conditions, the car distributes optimal power to all four wheels, providing high straight-line stability and cornering performance even on icy or slushy roads.
As the conditions get more severe as you get closer to Appi, not getting worn out on snowy roads is a more important factor than you might think.
The essence of Appi, skiing on the black pass
Appi Kogen Ski Resort, one of the top resorts in the Tohoku region, is located inland, but at an altitude of 1,328 meters (Maemoriyama), it receives soft, powdery snow that doesn't harden even when gripped by hand. The ski resort, which spreads out from two independent peaks, Maemoriyama and Nishimoriyama, boasts some of the longest cruising runs in Honshu, stretching up to 5.5 km. Furthermore, many of the courses face north, making it easier to maintain good conditions
Due to the cold January weather, snow fell every day during the week we visited, making the slopes in perfect condition. To make the most of this, we used the "Black Pass." This pass, limited to 30 per day, offers various benefits, including first track skiing, priority lift access, and riding the Nishimori Cat Ski Lift
7:45. I board the first gondola that has just opened and head to the summit of Maemoriyama. A few centimetres of light snow sits on a carefully groomed run with no steps. A gentle breeze sweeps the snow off the packed slope. My excitement is building even before I start skiing.
I stand on a run that no one else has yet skied, and launch my first run down the fall line.
With each turn, the skis sweep and the arc of the skis carve out, fluffy powder snow rises into the air. With nothing blocking your path, you can simply immerse yourself in your turns, feeling the sensations of the snow on your body, the cool wind hitting your cheeks, and the sound of your skis ringing out. It's a quiet, luxurious experience
After skiing down the first track, we headed to Nishimori Cat. This is an area that is accessed by snow groomer, not by lift. Only Black Pass users can ski in this area, so you can enjoy the trackless skiing without rushing
The skiing area consists of two courses, Golden Eagle and Varied Tit, and a managed tree area. In particular, "Attack" in the tree area has the best snow quality in Appi, and drawing a line while judging the spacing between trees, changes in the terrain, and the way the snow adheres is almost the same as skiing on a natural field. The area is home to large Erman's birch and Aomori Todomatsu trees, and you can fully enjoy an atmosphere that is completely different from the Maemoriyama course
It's nice to climb up and ski down on your own two feet, but in excellent conditions like on this trip, you'll want to ski again and again. The conditions change with each ski down the slope, and the excitement of drawing a line while judging the situation each time is hard to resist. Appi Highlands is truly one of a kind
A relaxing space at ANA InterContinental
We left the ski resort where the temperature was close to minus 10 degrees and the wind was howling, and headed to the ANA InterContinental Appi Kogen Resort . Here you can find an environment that will warm your frozen body and help you recover. The quiet, well-furnished guest rooms have large windows overlooking the ski resort and allowing you to see the runs you have skied. While admiring the snowy scenery, you can relax your stiff body in the cypress bath provided in your room.
Relax in the spacious, high-ceilinged lounge and gaze up at the mountains you've skied down, reminiscing about your skiing. The bitterly cold air stinging your cheeks, the moment your skis slide into the fresh snow, the exhilaration of finishing your run and being out of breath, the forests that are completely covered in white snow and fog - this luxury resort hotel offers the space and atmosphere to let you bask in the afterglow to your heart's content, without worrying about time
Cars are also part of the "slip"
From the city center to Appi Kogen. Ride the DEFENDER 130, ski on the Black Pass, and enjoy the fresh snow and forest on the Nishimori Cat.
Travel long distances comfortably and feel at ease on snow-covered roads. Only by being in perfect physical and mental condition can you encounter these rare conditions. Don't waste your time or concentration on skiing.
The DEFENDER 130 is the perfect car for an EPIC ADVENTURE, motivating you to explore worlds you wouldn't normally see and places you want to go
The car used this time is
DEFENDER 130 V8
[Main specifications]
Length 5,275mm x Width 1,995mm x Height 1,970mm ● Wheelbase 3,020mm ● Vehicle weight 2,630kg ● Seating capacity 7 ● Right-hand drive ● Drive system AWD ● Engine P500 gasoline ● Total displacement 4,999cc ● Maximum power output 368kw (500PS) / 6,000-6,500rpm ● Maximum torque 610N・m / 2,500-5,000rpm
Manufacturer's suggested retail price (including consumption tax): ¥17,820,000 (price as of February 2026)
NEW YEAR EXCLUSIVE OFFERStart
the new year with Defender. To celebrate the start of 2026, authorized retailers are offering a special offer for a limited time only.
[DEFENDER 90/130 only] Special low interest rate with an effective annual rate of 0.00%.
Purchase period: Friday, January 23rd to Tuesday, March 31st, 2026.
Registration period: Friday, January 23rd to Tuesday, March 31st, 2026.
Special finance available on Defender 90/130 (2025 model year and earlier only).
Please contact your local authorized retailer for more information.
■For product inquiries, please call
Land Rover (9:00-18:00, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)
toll-free: 0120-18-5568
TOUGH LUXURY Gear that makes your trip more comfortable
Photo by Takahiro Nakanishi
Special Thanks by APPI RESORT, RCT JAPAN