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 perfect day of free riding with friends at Hakuba Goryu!
We didn't do any special challenges or anything, but it was just a fun and enjoyable experience!
──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 and Hakuba Goryu
Park offer the best practice efficiency, and you can even watch other skiers from the lifts! The slopes are always maintained in top condition, so you can confidently take on challenges. Furthermore, since it's connected to Goryu, it's a ski resort where you can enjoy all kinds of skiing, including free riding, sunrise skiing, and night skiing, all day long.
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 event, it would be "UZUMAKI," held at Palcall Tsumagoi Ski Resort in April of this year.
The course was the epitome of freestyle skiing, and I was greatly inspired by the original lines and riding styles of riders like Kazuhiro Kokubo, Ryo Aizawa, and Taiyo Kawai. I was so engrossed in skiing that I lost track of time, and before I knew 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 been really helpful when meeting up with friends at the ski resort.
Also, and this might sound cliché, but being able to check and share my skiing distance and speed through the app is a completely new way to enjoy skiing, and I think it's groundbreaking.
──What is your home slope? Please tell us the best points of that ski resort
It changes a lot depending on the season, but I think Ishiuchi Maruyama might be my favorite.
Besides the high quality of the park, I also like 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 a very solid board, and I use it for a variety of purposes. I
tend to get bored easily and change my equipment quickly, but I really like this board and ride it all the time.
──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 in this competition. And congratulations to all the winners!
This year was blessed with plenty of snow, and all the posts conveyed that everyone had a wonderful season! Thanks to that, the selection process was quite challenging (laughs).
The common theme in the posts of the winners this time was "connections with others through skiing and yukiyama."
We selected those who conveyed the moving experiences that could not have been shared without being there, through their logs, photos, and text. Individuals who would never have crossed paths before are deeply connected through the lifestyle of skiing. And it was very exciting to see how the emotions spread as the experiences were shared! Guest Judge: Yu Yoneya
SPECIAL THANKS
Yu Yoneya
A skier from Asakusa, Tokyo. A former World Championships and World Cup representative.
He was the first Japanese freeskier to sign a corporate team contract and compete, and 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 web media and online schools.
YouTube/Instagram/Twitter
Yukiyama
The "yukiyama app" enables information sharing and communication at ski resorts. It's an app that enriches your snow mountain life, including snowboarding and skiing.
https://www.yuki-yama.com/