This photo contest was held in collaboration with the "yukiyama app," an app that enriches snowy mountain life through snowboarding, skiing, and other activities, and enables communication and information sharing at ski resorts. This year, guest judge Masaru Yoneya was invited to select three winners. We'll take a closer look at the winners of the prestigious Grand Prize
The first winner was "Tomita @Tomita's Daily Life"
In the contest submission, a YouTube video was introduced that recorded the challenge using the yukiyama app, and we were very impressed with how they were having fun spreading the appeal of skiing through the app and social media, which is why we chose this one. Also, their comment, "Even when I'm skiing alone, I can use the app to share numbers and time with people all over the country," was a moment that made us realize once again the appeal of yukiyama. We look forward to seeing many more activities in the future. STEEP Editorial Department
--Please introduce yourself
I mainly enjoy skiing in the park! I also post videos on my YouTube channel "Tomita's Daily Life" to increase the number of freeskiers
──Please tell us about your best and most memorable day this season (ski resort, impressions, etc.)
A free run with friends on a sunny day at Hakuba Goryu!
It wasn't a special challenge, but it was a great time having fun!
──What made you start the yukiyama app?
I started seeing posts on social media and YouTube using it, which prompted me to try keeping a record of my own ski runs
──Please tell us how you use the yukiyama app
Save your skiing records and earn various badges!
──What is your home slope? Please tell us the best points of that ski resort
Hakuba47 Hakuba Goryu
Park is the most efficient way to ski, and you can even see other skiers skiing from the lifts! The slopes are always maintained in top condition, so you can challenge yourself with peace of mind. It's also connected to Goryu, so you can enjoy free runs, sunrise skiing, night skiing, and more all day long at this ski resort.
Tomita's Instagram account also posts information about her appearances
──Please tell us about your favorite ski gear
ARMADA B-DOG
──What does skiing mean to you? In one word
It's as "daily" as waking up in the morning and washing your face
--If you have any additional information you'd like to include, please do so!
I know this is a bit of a promotion, but on my channel "Tomita's Daily Life" I share my challenges and lifestyle through skiing. Please check it out as one way to enjoy skiing! If you see me on the slopes, please say hello! Next season I'd like to try interacting with people using the yukiyama app
-- Any final comments?
Nowadays, one of the joys of winter sports is being able to interact with many skiers and snowboarders through the yukiyama app and social media! Come experience the endless ways to have fun!
The second winner is "Yuta"
Despite being busy, spending more than half of his weekdays returning home by taxi late at night, he managed to ski 38 days. His passion for skiing was so moving that we chose him. Also, his comment that the best part of skiing is making new connections with people was very impressive. I hope that you will continue to connect with many different people by approaching skiing with such high enthusiasm. STEEP Editorial Department
--Please introduce yourself
I'm a complete Sunday skier and work as a civil servant in Tokyo during the week
──Please tell us about your best and most memorable day this season (ski resort, impressions, etc.)
If I had to pick one, it would be the "UZUMAKI" event held at Palcol Tsumagoi Ski Resort in April this year.
The course was what you might call the pinnacle of freestyle, and I was deeply inspired by the original lines and gliding of riders like Kokubo Kazuhiro, Aizawa Ryo, and Kawai Taiyo. I was so absorbed in gliding that I lost track of time, and by the time I realized it, the event was over. The weather was perfect, and it was a fantastic day.
──What made you start the yukiyama app?
It all started when I started competing with my friends to see who could reach the highest speed
──Please tell us how you use the yukiyama app
It's useful when meeting up with friends at the ski resort.
Also, although it may seem cliché, being able to check and share your skiing distance and speed on the app is a revolutionary new way of enjoying skiing that has never been seen before.
──What is your home slope? Please tell us the best points of that ski resort
My favorites change depending on the season, but Ishiuchi Maruyama is probably my favorite.
Not only is the park high quality, but I also like the fact that it has a somewhat local feel to it.
Yuta's Instagram account is full of photogenic photos
──Please tell us about your favorite ski gear
K2 Marksman ('19-20 model). It's heavy but very sturdy, and I use it for a variety of purposes. I
get bored easily, so I change materials quickly, but this is the only board I like and ride.
──What does skiing mean to you? In one word
It may only take up a small portion of your life, but it also makes up a large part of your life's meaning
-- Any final comments?
Thank you for this opportunity. I look forward to reading your STEEP articles every day. I hope that you, the readers, will have the opportunity to join us at the ski resort
The third winner was "Beginner Skier Lemon & Ski Lover"
Although it's only his second season of skiing, he has already checked in 65 times and visited 40 ski resorts! His enthusiasm for skiing brought a smile to our faces, and we were able to select him as the winner. We hope that this contest will inspire you to enjoy your skiing life in the future. STEEP Editorial Team
--Please introduce yourself
I'm a beginner skier and have been skiing for two years
──Please tell us about your best and most memorable day this season (ski resort, impressions, etc.)
I thought the sea of clouds at Ontake Ski Resort was amazing
──What made you start the yukiyama app?
It was introduced in a LINE group
──Please tell us how you use the yukiyama app
Record of number of days spent at ski resort
Even though it's only his second season, he has a record of steadily visiting ski resorts
──What's your home ski slope?
Washigatake Ski Resort
-- Any final comments?
Skiing has enriched my life, and the Yukiyama app has helped me make more friends. Thank you
Thank you to everyone who participated this time. And congratulations to all the award winners!
This year was blessed with a lot of snow, so all the submissions conveyed the wonderful season they had! Thanks to you, the selection process was quite difficult (laughs).
Now, the common theme among the submissions of the award winners this time was "connecting with others through skiing and yukiyama."
We chose those who conveyed moving experiences that could not have been shared if they had not been there, through logs, photos and text. Individuals who would never have interacted at all connect deeply through the lifestyle of skiing. It was thrilling to see the excitement spread as experiences were shared! Guest judge: Yonetani Yu
SPECIAL THANKS
Yu Yoneya
A skier from Asakusa, Tokyo. Former World Championship and World Cup representative. He
was the first Japanese freeskier to sign a contract with a corporate team and competed competitively. After retiring from competition, he became a manager for the team. He is involved in a wide range of snow-related work, including promotions using online media and online schools.
YouTube / Instagram / Twitter
Yukiyama
The "yukiyama app" enables information sharing and communication at ski resorts. This app will enrich your snowy mountain life, including snowboarding and skiing.
https://www.yuki-yama.com/