REPORT

With clear blue skies and crisp, refreshing air, it was a perfect autumn day—the very definition of akibare. Although the starting area has been slightly adjusted due to construction work on the old gondola, the Hakuba Iwatake MTB PARK is open and in excellent condition! Many riders could be seen enjoying both downhill courses today—the Alps (6.9 km) and Kamikaze (3.7 km) trails.
[Hakuba Iwatake MTB PARK]

I spoke with a staff member from the Hakuba Iwatake MTB PARK (pictured), who told me, “I’m off work today, but the weather’s so nice I couldn’t resist going for a ride.” On the Hitotoki Downhill course (pictured, 1.4 km), riders can now enjoy pedaling through beautiful autumn scenery, as the fall colors seem to have transitioned rapidly following the arrival of this season’s first major cold front on 10/19 (Sun.).
[Hakuba Iwatake MTB PARK]

The South Slope can also be enjoyed via Mountain Carts (using a different route from the Hitotoki Downhill MTB course). Two visitors from Hyogo Prefecture (pictured) told me, “Yesterday we climbed Mt. Karamatsu for the first time. The Mountain Carts are insanely fun, and next, we’re planning to try the Hakuba Giant Swing.”
[IWATAKE GREEN PARK]

At Hakuba Hitotoki-no-mori (pictured), which is the finishing area for both the Hitotoki Downhill and Mountain Cart courses, the trees had just begun to show their autumn colors. At the same time, the foliage at the summit of Iwatake was about 30 to 40% of peak. With almost no wind and intense sunshine, it didn’t feel particularly cold today, though most visitors were dressed warmly in fleeces or down jackets.
[Hakuba Hitotoki-no-mori]

　　
[Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort Information]
*Season … Apr. 24 (Thu)－Nov.16 (Sun), 2025
*Hours … 8:30 a.m.－5:00 p.m.
*Price … Entrance Fee (Gondola and 5-sen south line fee included) / Adult: JPY2,900, Child: JPY1,600, Pet: JPY800

*Hakuba Iwatake will be reported 1－2times a week
*To Visitors Requesting Original Data of Our Photographs

reported by Snownavi