REPORT

Ishiuchi Maruyama boasts one of the most extensive night skiing lineups in Japan. A total of nine runs are open at night (with the Hatsukaishi Family Slope operating on Saturdays only), and a maximum continuous run of 3,000 m. Beyond the sheer scale, the appeal lies in being able to ski the resort’s main runs, many of which are intermediate to steep, delivering high satisfaction on both clear nights and powder days. The night of 2/4 (Wed.) was calm and clear.
[Resort Overview]

I started at the Central Entrance’s Ishiuchi Maruyama Resort Center (pictured). In addition to the ticket counter, the building houses an information desk, rental shop, shop and café stand, Goldwin Ishiuchi Maruyama, changing rooms, coin lockers, and a lounge area. I purchased a night skiing ticket valid starting at 4:00 p.m., but it’s also possible to enjoy both daytime and night skiing with a one-day ticket valid for 8.5 hours (for example, if you pass through the gate at 11:00 a.m., it’s valid until 7:30 p.m.).
[Ishiuchi Maruyama Resort Center]

I spoke with two skiers from Chiba who rode the Sunrise Express with me who said, “Four of us have been skiing together since the morning, but our two friends got tired and dropped out around 3:00 p.m. We’re planning to keep skiing until we return our rentals at 5:30.” As the surroundings gradually began to darken around 4:30, I enjoyed the scenery and atmosphere of the magic hour.
[Ginza Slope]

Of the two lifts currently operating at night—the Sunrise Express and the Kanko No. 3 Express—the fact that the former is a covered lift is another plus, keeping rides comfortable even during snowfall. A couple from Saitama I met told me, “We came so I could show my wife, who recently had her birthday, the night view from Ishiuchi Maruyama.” There was no grooming before night skiing, and while there were firm, small to mid-sized bumps and tracks in places, the snow shaved off by ski and board edges formed a natural cushion, making the slope feel easy and enjoyable to ski.
[Omaruyama Slope]

　
[Ishiuchi Maruyama Details on 2/4 (Wed.)]
＊Fully OPEN!
＊Operating Lifts … Sunrise Express (8:30～) and totally 13 lifts
＊Fee … 1-Day Pass Adult JPY7,900, 6 to 15 y/o JPY4,200, 4 to 6 y/o JPY1,500, Over 60 yp/o JPY6,700　※Free admission for one child aged 3 or under per adult.　

＊Request for the original data of our photographs
　
reported by Snownavi