REPORT

Today, 2/28 (Sat.), the “Alpenblick Winter Costume Festival 2026” kicked off at 10:00 a.m. Even a single person in costume stands out on the slopes, so sixty made for an incredible scene! The event MC Domu Narita (pictured, front left) commented, “I had a blast skiing in costume today. I’ve been busy doing Winter Olympic commentary lately, so this felt totally different and refreshing.”
[Lake View Course]

At 11:00 a.m., participants gathered for the “Cosplay Grand Run” (pictured). The mass descent down the groomed slopes was spectacular. One standout was No-Face from Spirited Away, who carved surprisingly smoothly through the soft surface. The event was free to enter, and anyone participating in full cosplay or riding a decorated ita-ita board received a ¥1,000 Alpen Blick Resort facility voucher.
[Lake View Course]

This year’s most popular theme was clearly Demon Slayer. The hit film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle has already surpassed ¥39.6 billion at the box office and drawn more than 27.1 million viewers. I spoke with a rider from Aichi dressed as Tengen Uzui (pictured, left) who told me, “It’s my first time joining this event. The snow turned pretty slushy today, which made it harder to ski.” In the same photo you can see Kanao Tsuyuri (a staff member in costume, center), and Zenitsu Agatsuma (right).
[Yamabato Forest Course]

In related news, the “Winter Costume Festival 2026 Photo Contest” is currently running from 2/28 (Sun.) through 3/15 (Sun.). One participant from Niigata I spoke to said, “It was my first time hitting the snow park in costume. I felt like I was getting twice the attention.” The Lake View, Wide Long Run, Karamatsu, and Yamabato Forest courses were all groomed, and the surfaces had softened into loose, granular spring snow by late morning.
[Lake View Course]

　　
[Ikenotaira Onsen Details on 2/28 (Sat.)]
＊Fully OPEN! (Except for Kayaba)
＊Operating Lifts … Shirakaba Capsule Pair (8:30～) and totally 4 lifts
＊Fees … 1-Day Pass Adult JPY6,900, 6 to 12 y/o JPY4,300, 13 to 15 y/o JPY5,900, Over 60 y/o JPY5,900

＊Advance Discount Lift Tickets (*On sale until 3/29)
Adult 1-Day Pass JPY6,900 → JPY6,000
Digital Adult 1-Day Pass JPY6,900 → JPY6,000
　
＊Request for the original data of our photographs

reported by Snownavi