Appi Kogen Ski Resort

The Appi Kogen Ski Resort (安比高原スキー場, Appi Kogen Sukī-jō) is one of the largest ski resorts in Japan, operated by Iwate Hotel & Resort, adjacent to the Towada-Hachimantai National Park.[1][11][12] The resort is most famous for its ski slopes, but it also has a guest ranch, golf courses, tennis courts, soccer fields, sports clubs, hot springs (onsen), and other amenities.[13][14][15][16] The resort is 50 minutes from Morioka Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen by non-stop express bus.[17] This station is approximately 496.5 km (308.5 mi) (2 hr 10 min) from Tokyo Station.[18][19][20] By car, it is about 30-50 minute drive from the city of Morioka, 15 min from Matsuo-Hachimantai IC on the Tōhoku Expressway, or 20 min from Ashiro IC on the Tohoku Expwy.[21][22]

Appi Kogen Ski Resort
A view from top of Mt. Maemori
LocationHachimantai, Iwate, Japan
Vertical   828 m (2,717 ft)
Top elevation1,328 m (4,357 ft)
Base elevation   500 m (1,640 ft)[1]
Skiable area282 ha (697 acres)[2]
Runs21
30% easiest
40% more difficult
30% most difficult[1]
Longest run5.5 km (3.4 mi)[3]
Lift system16 (2 gondola lifts, 3 high-speed quad chairlifts, and 11 pair chairlifts)[4][5]
Lift capacity28,000/hr[6]
Terrain parks2[7][8]
Snowfall1,200 cm (470 in)[9]
SnowmakingYes
Night skiing4pm-8pm (December–March)[10]
WebsiteAppi Resort
Hotel Appi Grand main building (right) and tower (left)
A view from Sailer Gondola
Upper Second Slopes First Run and Vista Quad
Karugamo Run and Appi Hills Shirakaba-No-Mori 3
Otaka Run
A view from Appi Gondola
Mt. Nishimori and Yamabato Run
Shirakaba Run and Central Quad Lift
A view from Appi Gondola

History

The development of the resort was led by Hiromasa Ezoe, a Japanese entrepreneur and the founder of the advertising and human resources company Recruit.[23][24] The name of this area, Appi, is derived from the Ainu language word, meaning "a place where one can live in peace" (Kogen means heights or highlands in Japanese).[25]　The construction began in 1970s and the ski area was opened in December, 1981, with four chair lifts.[26] The 'Sailer' area expansion was designed by Toni Sailer, an Austrian alpine ski racer and actor.[27] The Hotel Appi Grand opened in 1985, and the Appi Hills Shirakaba-No-Mori 3 (formerly the Appi Grand Villa 3) opened in 1991.[28][29] In 1992, the ski resort attracted 1.5 million visitors in a year.[13] The Hotel Appi Grand Annex opened in 1996.[30] Soccer fields opened in 1998.[13][31] During 2003-2016, the resort was managed by the Kamori Kanko Group.[32][33] In 2014, a memorial to Hiromasa Ezoe, the founder of the resort who had died in February 2013, was erected at the resort.[34][35] Since 2016, the resort has been managed by the Asia Gate Holdings Co., Ltd.[36] In 2005 and 2016, giant slalom races of the National Sports Festival of Japan were held in Appi Kogen.[37][38]

Skiing

The ski resort expands on two mountains, Mt. Maemori and Mt. Nishimori, with 21 trails, and a total trail length of 45.1 kilometres (28 mi) for skiers and snowboarders of all levels.[9] It is the largest ski resort operated by a single company in Japan, with an average run of 2.1 km (1.3 mi), Japan’s longest average.[3][9][39] The maximum slope is 34° on the Second Sailer Run A; the longest run is 5.5 km (3.4 mi) and the vertical drop is 828 m (2,717 ft).[40] Lift service includes 2 gondolas and 14 chair lifts including 3 high-speed quad lifts and 11 double chairlifts.[41] The resort is also family-friendly, with a kid's ski area, child care service, snow play areas, and a petting zoo.[42] The winter ski season in Appi stretches over 5 months from December to early May. Nighttime skiing is available most nights; skiing and snowboarding lesson programs are available.[43] CNN International ranked Appi Kogen the best ski resort in Asia.[2]

Lifts
Appi Kogen has 16 lifts, including two gondolas (Appi Gondola and Sailer Gondola), three high-speed detachable quad chairlifts (Central First Quad, Sailer Quad, and Vista Quad), and eleven double chairlifts.[5][4]
Lift Name Capacity per Lift Length Capacity per Hour Notes
Appi Gondola 8 2820 m 2000
Central Quad 4 954 m 2000 with bubble
Central First Lift 2 1037 m 1000
Central Second Lift 2 969 m 1000
Central Third Lift A 2 773 m 1000
Central Third Lift B 2 773 m 1000
Central Fourth Lift 2 664 m 1000
Central Fifth lift 2 1254 m 1000
Central Sixth Lift 2 901 m 1000
Nishimori Lift 2 652 m 1000
Sailer Gondola 8 3494 m 2400
Sailer Quad 4 2143 m 2400 with bubble
Sailer First Lift 2 1351 m 1000
Sailer Second Lift 2 1511 m 1000
Vista Quad 4 1988 m 2400 with bubble
Sailer Connection Lift 2 1288 m 1000

Golf courses

The Appi Kogen Golf Club has 4 courses, namely Hachimantai Course, Towada Course, Ryugamori Course, and Iwatesan Course, 36 holes in total, opened in 1978.[44][45] LPGA of Japan Tour tournaments were held in 1984-88 and 1991-92.[46][47][48] The Japan LPGA Championship Konica Minolta Cup on the LPGA of Japan Tour was held in the Appi Kogen Golf Club in September 2017.[49][50]

Other attractions

The ski resort is home to many concerts.[51] A-Nation (2002), Dreams Come True (band) (2003), Glay (1998), Kaela Kimura (2005), Kome Kome Club (1992), L'Arc-en-Ciel (1999), Masayoshi Yamazaki (2000), Monkey Majik (2008), Morning Musume (2001), Mr. Children (1995), Sharam Q (1996), SMAP (2001), and Tube (band) (1994) held concerts in the resort.[52][53][54][55][56]

Hotels

There are 8 hotels, including the Hotel Appi Grand, the Hotel Appi Grand Tower, the Appi Hills Shirakaba-No-Mori 1-3 (formerly the Appi Grand Villa 1-3), and the Appi Kogen Onsen Hotel 1-3 (formerly the Appi Grand Annex 1-3). There are also B&Bs.[57] The 78 m (256 ft) tall Hotel Appi Grand Tower, opened in 1988, is the symbol of the resort.[58][59]

Notable people

See also

References
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