Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 Consider this a late trip report. About 4 years late, to be exact. In April of 2008, I made the journey to Sayama ski area in Saitama. Sayama is an indoor ski area, consisting basically of a long roof placed on a hill, with two single-chair lifts on either side of the single gelaende, which measures 320 m long. Obviously, the snow is entirely artificial. Surprisingly, the walls are not enclosed -- there are some plastic curtains between the slope and the lifts, with the curtains being open most of the day. The lifts are under the roof, but open to the outside. Sayama is located next to the Seibu Dome on one side, and an open-air baseball field on the other side. Hanami from the left-hand-side (skier's right) lift: Looking up near the top of the lift: View of the Seibu Dome from near the top of the left-hand lift: View of the slope from near the top of the left-hand lift, looking across to the right-hand lift: Baseball field seen from the right-hand lift: Looking up-slope from the bottom: Looking down from the top of the slope: The steepest part of the slope, right at the top, is 15 degrees, with an average incline of 7 degrees. Looking up from part-way down: Riding the right-hand lift: As for overall impressions, well, what can one say? It is artificial snow, sure, though with the walls open like that it is surprisingly pleasant and open feeling. And it never rains. The season starts early there, usually being the second place to open after Snowtown Yeti, some time in late October. The slope is not as long as Yeti's, but is wider (early-season), so less crowded. Certainly competitive with Marunuma Kogen or Karuizawa Prince Hotel for pre-season warm-up purposes. There is also a train station within walking distance. Anyway, had a pleasant time there. Worse ways to spend a half day in Spring or Fall. Could even imagine going again some time for a Fall warm-up. Link to post Share on other sites
ippy 66 Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 just had a wee neb at their website... 4000 yen for a saturday on that??? I mean if it was fully indoor and its season ran from, oh i dunno, sometime beyond the rest of the japanese season, then it might be in with a shout for my cash. But honest to christ... I remember hearing about this last year and im pretty sure i moaned about it being all the joy of indoor sliding with all the benefits of being in winter. Yeah, if you live near it, okay, might be nice to finish work and pop there for a few hours of box grinding in prep for early season. So er, yeah, see you in october or early november i guess if hakuba havent scored a line yet and karuizawa havent got the sprayers working Nice to see it all though. Was interested in how it looked. Dont think im not grateful, it just beggars my rationality that it exists is all... Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted May 29, 2012 Author Share Posted May 29, 2012 just had a wee neb at their website... 4000 yen for a saturday on that??? Note that they also have 3-hour tickets for 2,500 yen. Which is probably long enough to feel one has gotten whatever one is going to get out of the place. Anyway, see how picky you are feeling come October. Link to post Share on other sites
hellyer 216 Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 Good report Metabo Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 Yes very interesting. Not sure I'll make the trip though. Link to post Share on other sites
pie-eater 207 Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 What an odd looking place! Definitely got novelty value. Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 Very interesting Mr Oyaji. Curious set up, never seen any photos before only heard a few things. No SSAWS for sure. Looks like a perfect warm up for Mt Granview. Link to post Share on other sites
onsen tamago 0 Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 Never knew there were places like that. Thanks for the report. Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted May 30, 2012 Author Share Posted May 30, 2012 (edited) A short panning shot for that "you are there" feeling: http://www.sj.snowjapan.tv/videos/449/sayama-saitama/ Edited July 11, 2012 by SJ-David Edited it in for you mo Link to post Share on other sites
sanjo 2 Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 honto ni omoshiroi! I'm glad they didn't forget the music. Link to post Share on other sites
Nisoko 6 Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Interesting Metaboy Oyaji, strange seeing a proper lift like that. In places like this I thought the lift was usually a crappy t-bar. How far did you travel for your crazy day out? Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted June 1, 2012 Author Share Posted June 1, 2012 Not as far as I travelled for a day at Yeti once. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 I can't believe you travelled all the way down here for Yeti!! Link to post Share on other sites
yoroshiku onegai shimasu 2 Posted June 3, 2012 Share Posted June 3, 2012 Like others said, very interesting. Were people all in their full on winter gear? Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted June 3, 2012 Author Share Posted June 3, 2012 Maybe light winter gear. Though one guy had a full-face covering neck warmer and dark goggles on, which looked like massive overkill. Maybe it was a geinoujin who didn't want to be recognized or something. Link to post Share on other sites
snowdude 44 Posted June 3, 2012 Share Posted June 3, 2012 I knew about this, but never considered going, now I see the pics and your report, I know I wouldn't go for sure, especially at that money! If you live on the door step maybe ok, but when I have ski resorts close by, couldn't imagine going there. Thanks for the pics and report though anyway, always nice to hear about new places regardless of where or what they are like. Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 honto ni omoshiroi! I'm glad they didn't forget the music. Link to post Share on other sites
JapaneseSnowBunny 0 Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 I have a very lucky friend who lives just down the road from there and has a "season" pass! Actually he really enjoys it. If you live close-by I suppose.. Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 Nice one Metabo! & better late than never!! Having been to a couple of indoor slopes back in the UK, I'm actually quite tempted by this, particularly as it's not far by train from Tokyo. But then you are dealing with someone who's not only been to Yeti but also wants to go to Gassan! & it's a shame that it's not open during the summer! Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted June 14, 2012 Author Share Posted June 14, 2012 JapaneseSnowBunny: Hey, if I lived just down the road from there, I'd probably drop in now and then as well. Why not? Mick Rich: See you there this Fall? Link to post Share on other sites
snowbender 3 Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 I might be tempted if I was close and in the run up the season gagging for it. Looks like a bit of a laugh. Link to post Share on other sites
HeatherLocklearRocks 1 Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 Just seen this now Metabo. Wonder if it makes good business. I'd be on for it though probably late autumn before the real snow arrives. Bet that will be their busiest time. Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted July 10, 2012 Author Share Posted July 10, 2012 Just seen this now Metabo. Wonder if it makes good business. Well, they've been in business since 1959, so they must be doing at least ok. I'd be on for it though probably late autumn before the real snow arrives.Bet that will be their busiest time. Sounds like an SJ gathering in the making! Link to post Share on other sites
klingon 10 Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 Sounds like a sort of plan. Then again about the business, how many years does a business have to lost money to die here? Is 50 enough? Link to post Share on other sites
ILoveZao 8 Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 I think by the time autumn comes we will all be ready, I would actually like to go to a place like this would be a fun half day. Link to post Share on other sites
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