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
Having heard that it had been raining steadily in the Tohoku region for nearly a week, IAppi Kogen Ski Resort,decided to head to
Our vehicle for the journey isa DEFENDER 130.The ski trip begins the moment we start driving. Distance, time, conditions—everything combined will make it an unforgettable EPIC ADVENTURE. When facing tough snowy mountains, a car is also a reliable piece of gear.
The essence of TOUGH LUXURY. The V8's spaciousness and visibility make long journeys a bliss
The DEFENDER 130 is a spacious 8-seater that makes long drives comfortable. The second row of this vehicle features captain's chairs (optional), equipped with dedicated seat heaters, armrests, winged headrests, and cup holders. The interior temperature and other settings can be freely controlled from the rear seats.
Folding down the third row seats creates a large cargo space that 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 the heavy vehicle on snowy roads, you can feel the torque of the V8 engine, which allows it to move smoothly without having to press the accelerator hard. By monitoring the road surface conditions, it distributes power optimally to all four wheels, exhibiting high straight-line stability and cornering performance even on icy or slushy roads.
As the conditions become more severe as you approach Appi, not having to worry about getting stressed 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 boarded the first gondola of the day, which had just opened for business, and headed to the summit of Maemoriyama. On the meticulously groomed slope, which had no unevenness in the compacted snow, there were a few centimeters of light snow. A gentle breeze was sweeping away the snow on the groomed slope. My excitement was building even before I started skiing.
Standing on the course where no one had skied yet, I dropped 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
Leaving the ski resort where temperatures were nearly minus 10 degrees Celsius and winds were howling, I headed tothe ANA InterContinental Appi Kogen Resortski-out access. Here, I found an environment that warmed and restored my frozen body. The quiet guest rooms were well-furnished, and the large windows offered panoramic views of the ski resort, allowing me to see the courses I had just skied. I relaxed my stiff body in the cypress wood bath in my room while gazing at the snowy landscape.
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 central Tokyo to Appi Kogen. Driving in a Defender 130, skiing at Black Pass, and enjoying fresh snow and the forest at Nishimori Cat.
Comfortable long-distance travel and worry-free snowy roads. It is only when your body and mind are in perfect condition that you can encounter once-in-a-lifetime conditions. Not sacrificing time and concentration for 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]
Overall length 5,275mm x Overall width 1,995mm x Overall height 1,970mm ● Wheelbase 3,020mm ● Vehicle weight 2,630kg ● Seating capacity 7 people ● Right-hand drive ● Drive system AWD ● Engine P500 gasoline ● Total displacement 4,999cc ● Maximum 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 OFFER
Start the new year with DEFENDER. To celebrate the start of 2026, authorized retailers are offering a special limited-time offer.
[DEFENDER 90 / 130 only] Special low interest rate - effective annual rate 0.00%
Purchase period: January 23rd (Fri) - March 31st (Tue), 2026
Registration period: January 23rd (Fri) - March 31st (Tue), 2026
Special financing is available for DEFENDER 90 / 130 (2025 model year and earlier only).
For details, please contact your nearest authorized retailer.
■Product Inquiries:
Land Rover Call Center (9:00-18:00, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays)
Toll-free number: 0120-18-5568
TOUGH LUXURY Gear that makes your trip more comfortable
Photo by Takahiro Nakanishi
Special Thanks by APPI RESORT, RCT JAPAN