REPORT

The “JAPAN FREERIDE OPEN 2026” kicked off with competition in the junior categories. This year’s junior field included a total of 68 competitors, 35 skiers and 33 snowboarders, ranging from third-grade elementary school students through third-year high school students. Passing through the tunnel of rime ice-covered trees on the Mt. Hieda Ridge Course (pictured), which got a nice refresh thanks to the latest cold wave, I made my way to the competition venue on Mt. Hieda Course 3.
[Mt. Hieda Ridge Course]

When I was on the mountain reporting the day before yesterday, the moguls on Hie 3 had been moderately soft, but after thawing in the warmth of the past two days, the intense cold from last night and this morning turned them back into a hard, unforgiving surface. Topped with 5 to 10 cm of light new snow, the result was an extremely challenging set of conditions. The day began with course inspection, carried out by the teams formed for the post-competition sessions.
[Mt. Hieda Course 3]

The athletes listened intently as pro riders explained line choices, approaches into kickers, and key points that stand out to the judges. After a preview run by organizer Kaichi Ueki at 9:45 a.m., the competition got underway, and I was blown away by the way the riders carried speed while simultaneously throwing down with style.
[Mt. Hieda Course 3]

I spoke with the father of a boy competing in the ski category, who told me, “My son says JFO isn’t just about competing—the sessions are fun too. Getting to ski again with teammates you were grouped with feels like a reunion. Knowing this is the final event makes it a little sad.” As a pioneer of freeride competitions in Japan, JFO has continued for 11 years since its first event—or 13 years including the planning stage—and this edition marks the final competition to be held under the current organizing structure.
[Mt. Hieda Course 3]

　　
[Hakuba Cortina Details on 2/7 (Sat.)]
*Fully OPEN（Except for Hiedayma 3, Giant, Itadaira Ridge）
*Operating Lift … No.2 Quad (8:30～) and totally 6 lifts
*Fees … Adult JPY6,200, 6 to 12 y/o JPY3,500, Pre-schooler FREE
　
*Print and get a great deal! Discount Coupon!
Paper Coupon → Adult 1 Day Ticket + JPY1,500 Meal vouchers or store coupons = JPY8,700 → JPY7,500!
Paper Coupon → Child 1 Day Ticket + JPY1,500 Meal vouchers or store coupons = JPY6,000 → JPY4,800!

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