Industry News
Snow Park Yeti, Japan, has done it again: the Japanese ski resort was the first to ring in the 2024-25 ski season on October 25.
As cooler temperatures start to sweep across Japan, the opening of Snow Park Yeti marks the beginning of the Japanese ski season. The resortโs impressive 26-year record of being the first to open is hard-earned. Despite rising global temperatures and a decrease in snowfall, Fujiyama Snow Resort Yeti continues to be the first resort in Japan to open year over year, thanks to its snowmaking efforts.
Celebrating in Style
Every season, ski and snowboard enthusiasts flock to Snow Park Yeti to be part of the opening celebration. Dressed to impress as their favorite characters, snow lovers charge down the run to great fanfare and cheers. This year was no different. Amid the stunning backdrop of Mount Fuji, cosplayers and snow enthusiasts gathered to celebrate the opening of the ski season in Japan. The slopes were filled with colorful and creative costumes, from popular anime characters to video game heroes.
The opening day at Snow Park Yeti is not just about hitting the slopesโit’s a cultural event. This year, the resort continued its tradition of holding a cosplay event, attracting anime enthusiasts from all walks of life.
Warming Temperatures Create Challenges
Early-season snowmaking in Japan is less about blowing snow and more about throwing ice. Environmental challenges have forced ski resorts to get creative. Snow Park Yeti has implemented cutting-edge ice-making technology, allowing it to produce quality snow despite unfavorable temperatures.
While the season may have officially started in Japan, we are still far from the powder days the country is renowned for. Despite warmer temperatures, resorts like Snow Park Yeti can still provide a fun and challenging experience for skiers and snowboarders.
This year’s opening day at Snow Park Yeti was marked with warm temperatures and no natural snow. However, ski resorts in Japan are adapting to the changing climate by investing in modern technologies that allow them to continue providing high-quality snow surfaces.
Snowmaking is becoming more common across Japan. This year, Tsugaike Mountain Resort in Hakuba, Japan, has installed new snowmaking equipment, and ABLE Hakuba GORYU is considering installing an ice-making system to help extend the season at the resort’s base.
About Snow Park Yeti
Snow Park Yeti, located in Susono City, Shizuoka Prefecture, is known for being Japan’s first outdoor ski area to open each season. It operates at an elevation of 1,300 meters (4,265 feet) to 1,450 meters (4,757 feet) and offers spectacular views of Mount Fuji on clear days. The resort began operating in 1971 and was originally named Nihon Land Ski-jo. It has undergone several name changes since its inception, including Snow Town Yeti and Fujiyama Snow Resort Yeti, before adopting its current moniker of Snow Park Yeti.
Resort Details
- Top Elevation: 1,450 meters (4,265 feet)
- Base Elevation: 1,300 meters (4,757 feet)
- Vertical: 150 meters (492 feet)
- Total Ski Courses: 4
- Ski Lifts: 3
Historical Opening dates for Snow Park Yeti:
- 2023-24: October 20
- 2022-23: October 21
- 2021-22: October 22
Snow Park Yeti continues to uphold its reputation as the first ski resort to open annually in Japan, blending stunning landscapes with vibrant culture and enriching opening day celebrations. Despite warming temperatures and declining natural snowfall, the resort has taken proactive measures to ensure visitors can continue to enjoy early-season skiing and snowboarding.
