gorilla 0 Posted January 18, 2002 Share Posted January 18, 2002 I have been checking out webcam images and photos daily for the last few weeks now and am almost surprised every day at how empty the slopes look. On a weekday it's as if there are just a handful of riders out there. Case in point - I just looked at the Happo-one one and there were all of about 5 people in the whole shot!!! Unbelievable. The question is, how are the resorts going to survice. If even big famous places like Happo are hurting, how must the other small places be doing? Must be pretty "kibishii" for them....... Link to post Share on other sites
monkeyz 0 Posted January 18, 2002 Share Posted January 18, 2002 There must be some really anxious managers out there. Really happy riders though. I acually heard from a Japanese "source" (although this person may be better described as a "sauce") that Hakuba 47 is in severe financial trouble and may be heading for the whatever you call it when they can't continue operating. Sure there must be many resorts in a similar pickle. Or is that sauce? Link to post Share on other sites
dane 0 Posted January 24, 2002 Share Posted January 24, 2002 I'm surprised no-one commented more on this. I wouldn't know (in the US, never been to Japan), but would be interested to hear more. Link to post Share on other sites
cal 6 Posted January 25, 2002 Share Posted January 25, 2002 Looking at some of the resorts, you would wonder how on earth they stay open. Most of them are probably owned by bigger organisations (see Prince), keeping them open that way. Brings to mind - who does actually own many of the bigger resorts in Japan? Link to post Share on other sites
hutch 0 Posted January 25, 2002 Share Posted January 25, 2002 WHo is it that runs Niseko Hirafu? and do they run any other resorts? prince hotels run Shizukuishi in Iwate (93 downhill worldcup venue) ...... what are the big players here in the industry? Link to post Share on other sites
IIIII 2 Posted January 26, 2002 Share Posted January 26, 2002 You will find that the majority will survive somehow....backing from larger organisations, some mergers ? - lets hope so Link to post Share on other sites
semi-d 0 Posted January 27, 2002 Share Posted January 27, 2002 Not before I get out there for the first time, boys! Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted February 16, 2002 Share Posted February 16, 2002 Read this with interest. Manza Onsen this last week was really empty. Very few people on the hill, never queued once. More staff than skiers/boarders. Really don't know how they can keep open with that kind of business. Missing something?! Link to post Share on other sites
montoya 0 Posted February 18, 2002 Share Posted February 18, 2002 Just read in the Asahi Shinbun Feb 17 that this will be the last year for Hachimantai. Same article mentioned that other Tohoku resorts are hurting as well. If you can read Japanese: http://www.asahi.com/national/update/0217/007.html [This message has been edited by montoya (edited 18 February 2002).] Link to post Share on other sites
NoFakie 45 Posted February 18, 2002 Share Posted February 18, 2002 Hey montoya Thanks for the heads up. Good read. One thing though, it talks about Hachimantai RESORT, a different skijo to Hachimantai, the so-so popular place that backs onto Appi Kogen. Rather than the resort closing, it says that the resort's major backer, JR East Japan, is pulling out. It suggests that the resort will stay open thanks to private companies or private-public ventures, but getting more punters in remains a big problem. At the end of the article a JTB representative says that most Tokyoites think Tohoku is too far and that the increasing availability of cheap packages to Hokkaido is talking a larger proportion of the folk who still go out further north. With internal flights starting to come down at last (from riduculously expensive to expensive), things don't look good for Tohoku. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted February 18, 2002 Share Posted February 18, 2002 Hope SkiJam will be the same this weekend, some how dont think so...... Link to post Share on other sites
barok 0 Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 I've been thinking about this alot, and i've decided that it's not such a bad thing if some resorts close, or at least suspend operations for a few years or so. There are like 700 resorts in Japan - that's 100 more than the number of resorts in all of North America. And Noth America is Approximately 100 times the size as Japan, with 3 times as many people. Don't get me wrong, I think it's great that during the 80's, Japanese had the wealth and interest in skiing/riding to support all of these fun places, but people are more concerned with saving their money now, so what can you do ? It really wouldn't be such a big deal if 200 resorts closed their doors, just so long as your favorites stayed open. The backcountry would become more popular as well, which is the direction snowboarding is moving anyways. I only hope that when these resorts do close their doors, that the land isn't used for some other development. Link to post Share on other sites
oo 1 Posted February 21, 2002 Share Posted February 21, 2002 I know what you're getting at, but it would also mean more crowded slopes at the remaining resorts don't you think? Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted February 21, 2002 Share Posted February 21, 2002 barok, if what you hope for would lead to genunine, focused competition between resorts, then I hope for the same thing. Some resorts are looking for ways of making money in the summer with mountain biking, moutainboarding and other less obvious things, so maybe it's not just a winter issue anyway. Link to post Share on other sites
Nat 0 Posted February 22, 2002 Share Posted February 22, 2002 I heard Senhata skijo in Akita(Owned by Price, I think) might close from next season (by my cousin who live in 5 min away from Senhata skijo) 'cos Local government gave up to give some money to keep running slopes. Senhata is not that bad slope considering one of Local slope in countryside in Akita. And snow is not that bad either. Next from Senhata, is Odai skijo. it has many local snowboard-kids, and skijo allow kids to bring 'Rails' from somewhere.(I don't where they get the rail from...) So many kids making OWN park on the slopes, I was so shocked about making OWN PARK on the slope on New years day. Cousin and his pals told me Odai lost many costmers because local economic is bad but for me, odai runs okay. I know many local slopes in Tohoku has some financial problems, 'cos local government used to give some money to slopes for keep goin' but now.... 'cos the budget is tight, so they start to stop... Typical japanese economic system and business, huh? Some major slopes sold 'Spring Season pass' from March last year. I assume some slope will do again this year for getting customers..... [This message has been edited by Nat (edited 21 February 2002).] Link to post Share on other sites
rach 1 Posted February 27, 2002 Share Posted February 27, 2002 My Japanese friend introduced me to a manager at 47 the other week - forgot to mention this - and he had a stern face and was saying "kibishiiiii", "kibishiiiii" when asked about how the season was. Grumpy old fella, but certainly "komatte iru"...! Link to post Share on other sites
danz 0 Posted February 27, 2002 Share Posted February 27, 2002 hey nat... your post got me thinking... so if a resort were to close for a season, and you happened to have a snow-cat at your disposal, (or snowshoes if the cat is asking for too much), could you just ski freshies all day...basically have the entire mtn to yourself? so who here owns a snowmobile...or maybe a good 4x4 would do...can't wait for that mtn. to shut down... danz ------------------ pray for snow Link to post Share on other sites
Nat 0 Posted February 28, 2002 Share Posted February 28, 2002 Ah... danz.... If you go to slopes which closed for a season.... A) No Mt. Patrol = great time for back country No one goes = Good snow C) If local people find you, either Policeman or Layer will come and see you for some reason.... No? Link to post Share on other sites
danz 0 Posted February 28, 2002 Share Posted February 28, 2002 well... those big scary japanese policeman and powerful nippon lawyers don't scare me... (i don't think they scare anybody...) so lets keep track of those sinking resorts for our powder benefit danz Link to post Share on other sites
NoFakie 45 Posted February 28, 2002 Share Posted February 28, 2002 Quote: Originally posted by Nat: C) If local people find you, either Policeman or Layer will come and see you for some reason.... No? My local resort, Omachi Skijo, has been closed for the past two seasons. The main slope currently features half a dozen kickers, one of which was about 5 feet high the last time I looked. There's also a "rail" that someone has built by placing a piece of pipe on a snow support. No-one cares if you go up there, and now there's no more pow, you can get up there pretty easily without snowshoes. Link to post Share on other sites
montoya 0 Posted March 2, 2002 Share Posted March 2, 2002 Just heard on the local tv new that the indoor ski dome SSAWS Zaus in Chiba will cease operations in September 2002. oh well... Link to post Share on other sites
Ski Japan Guide 0 Posted March 2, 2002 Share Posted March 2, 2002 Really?! We will look into this one.... Thanks SJG Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts