REPORT

The Snow Park at Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort is ranked among the best in Japan for its size, number of features, and overall quality—and today it welcomed the first day of the three-day weekend in immaculate condition. I met a rider (pictured) who was throwing especially high and stylish airs over the opening back-to-back 8 m and 10 m jumps, and he told me, “I ride for Nidecker—call me Ruki! I’ve been coming to this park since I was a kid. The jumps here are always easy to hit. It’s the best!”
[Snow Park]

Then it clicked—I had seen him before. It was none other than Ruki Tobita, who represented Japan in Slopestyle and Big Air at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics (and also competed at COW DAY). Watching an Olympian’s polished tricks up close was truly thrilling.
[Snow Park]

The Snow Park (pictured), featuring 17 items in total, and had groomed spring-like granular snow that had softened just slightly on the surface. Many riders were lapping the park via the Kanko No. 2 Express. A couple from Saitama whom I met first thing in the morning commented, “We always read Snownavi. The snow was already a little soft from the start, and really easy to ride.”
[Snow Park]

From the Summit Slope down to the Ridge Course (pictured), the moderately firm, groomed moist snow allowed my edges to bite solidly, helping me build speed with confidence. A skier from Kanagawa riding the Summit High-Speed Quad with me (pictured, left) said, “I’ve seen Snownavi before. I like groomed runs, so I often come to Ishiuchi Maruyama. Conditions have been good both yesterday and today, though it looks like the temperature will rise later.” By around 10:00, the surface had loosened into soft, granular snow.
[Ridge Course]

　
[Ishiuchi Maruyama Details on 2/21 (Sat.)]
＊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