By Suzuka YOSHIDA

 

Japan is now in the cold­est season, the height of winter. Many skiers from overseas are coming to Japan this year due to a lot of snow and the removal of entry restrictions due to COVID-19.

 

Professional skiers, beginners, snowboard­ers, and many other people come to enjoy the snow. This is be­cause Japan has a reputation for having the best snow quality in the world. On the other hand, it causes troublesome things.

 

Attractive snow quality, slopes and environment

Japan has some of the best ski resorts in the world. In par­ticular, Hokkaido and Nagano prefectures, where the Olympic Games were held in the past, have many fascinating ski re­sorts with well-equipped facili­ties such as ski lifts and plenty of powder snow. Skiers from over­seas come from faraway places such as Europe, Australia, and North America to visit such ski resorts. Some are professional skiers, while others are new to snow. Japan’s ski resorts seem attractive enough to cater to the needs of various types of skiers.

 

Its appeal can be seen in media reports.

First of all, the quality and amount of snow in Japan are at the highest level in the world.

 

Secondly, there are various courses to satisfy their challeng­ing and adventurous spirit.

 

Thirdly, the public trans­portation system is well-devel­oped, and access costs are low because you can get there by taking a train from the airport without having to drive your own car.

 

Fourth, hotels and food are cheap. Have attractions nearby.

 

Lastly, it is safe.

 

In other words, not only is the snow quality itself attractive, but the surrounding conditions such as access and prices are also good. Although it takes more than ten hours by plane to Europe, Australia, and North America, you can enjoy all other multiple attractions with snow, and the low cost of living makes the environment suitable for long-term stays.

 

Many skiers enter restrict­ed areas in search of pow­der snow

Ski resorts used by skiers and snowboarders can be broad­ly divided into three categories.

 

As the first category, general skiers use an area called the ski resort management area. As shown in the illustration, there are several courses on one mountain. Ski resort man­agers set courses with different degrees of difficulty based on the topography and angles, and per­form maintenance such as hard­ening the snow so that it does not rise, adjusting the thickness, and so on. For example, when a tree is covered with snow, the skier may crash into the tree without noticing it, so the course is trod­den in advance to avoid it. In this way, the administrator prevents skier accidents.

 

The second category is the area known as the backcoun­try or out-of-control zone. Al­though the ski resort does not manage it, advanced skiers pre­fer backcountry skiing because they can ski at their own risk. As long as you make sure they have plenty of experience and emergency equipment, they can glide through untouched areas as mountain climbers. The feel­ing of gliding down the steep slopes of the snowy mountains while stirring up the snow is like having the whole mountain all to yourself, and it’s exhilarating.

 

The third category is areas known as closed or no-slip areas because they are prone to ava­lanches or accidents because of the steep slopes. If you try to enter there, there are ropes stretched and sticks inserted, but there are also “strong peo­ple” who enter this area because they can’t overcome their adven­turous spirit. They are some­times lost, dead or missing.

 

Skiers who do not under­stand the danger of sec­ondary disasters in rescue teams

Unfortunately, there were eight serious accidents in Jan­uary and February this season. One of the dead was an Ameri­can professional skier and Olym­pic gold medalist. Rather than being in distress, he died in an accident after being caught in an avalanche.

 

There have been many acci­dents, both in prohibited areas and backcountry skiing. Each time, the rescue team must go out at the risk of a secondary disaster. A ski resort got angry at the number of rescue requests and decided to claim the cost of the rescue from the victims.

 

For example, the costs for rescue are specifically defined as follows:

Article 21: The Company re­ceives requests for search and rescue from users who have been out to the backcountry or closed areas (hereinafter referred to as “victims”), and the families, friends and acquaintances of the victims. When conducting search and rescue activities for a victim, we will charge the victim for the following expenses.

 

(1) Search and rescue per­sonnel: 20,000 yen (per hour)

(2) Logistics support per­sonnel: 10,000 yen (per hour)

(3) One Headquarters sup­port staff: 10,000 yen (per hour)

(4) One groomed snow vehi­cle: 50,000 yen (per hour)

(5) 1 snowmobile: 10,000 yen (per hour)

(6) Actual meal cost

(7) Other expenses incurred depending on the search and rescue situation will be billed separately.

 

Source: Hakuba Happoone Ski Resort Terms and Conditions

https://www.happo-one.jp/ wp2019/wp-content/themes/hap­po-one2020/img/gelande/rule/ agreement.pdf

 

One of the few resorts in developed countries

Not many industrialized countries have resort areas. In particular, there are few winter