REPORT

The Spicy Iwatake shop (pictured), located inside the Base Center, is almost unrecognizable from winter. Gone is the shop filled entirely with ski and snowboard gear; in its place are rows of rental mountain bikes, city bikes, helmets, protective equipment, and more. Today, I rented a full-suspension mountain bike and asked one of the staff members to guide me on a course they recommend.
[Spicy Iwatake]

“The Alps Downhill Course (pictured) is ideal for anyone new to downhill mountain biking, as well as beginner and intermediate riders,” explained the staff member (pictured). We began on the wide, open upper section of the trail, with the Northern Alps gradually disappearing into the clouds behind us and the beautiful patchwork of rice and vegetable fields below. I made sure to keep my speed comfortably under control as we made our way down.
[Hakuba Iwatake MTB PARK]

After passing close to the unloading area of the Central High-Speed Lift, the trail began dipping in and out of the forest just beyond a small hut. It was much the same width as the upper section, but felt considerably tighter once we entered the trees. The morning was unusually sunny and hot for the rainy season, so the cool shade of the forest was a welcome change.
[Hakuba Iwatake MTB PARK]

There are several places to pull over and take a break along the way, including a rest area known as Tengu-no-Niwa and other stopping points (pictured). During our break, the staff member (pictured, left) explained, “The full-suspension rental bikes have hydraulic brakes, so they stop very effectively with only a light touch. Be careful not to grab them as hard as you would the brakes on an ordinary city bike, since they may bite more sharply than you expect.” Just then, a female staff member who happened to be riding down the course joined us (pictured, right). From there, the three of us continued together. (Continued in Pt. 2!)
[Hakuba Iwatake MTB PARK]

　　　
[Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort Information]
*Season … Apr. 23 (Thu.)－Nov. 15 (Sun.), 2026
*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
*MTB PARK Entrance Fee 1 Day Pass (Gondola and 5-sen south line fee included) / Adult: JPY6,000, JPY4,000

*Hakuba Iwatake will be reported 1－2times a week
*Request for the original data of our photographs

reported by Snownavi