While the country is enjoying a thriving ski season, exceptionally heavy snowfalls have created challenges for resort workers.
Ski resorts in Japan are prized for having some of the deepest, lightest snow in the world. A winter of exceptionally heavy snowfall — some areas had more than 12 feet of snow this week — must be a skier’s or snowboarder’s dream.
The ski terrain in Japan this winter is “super big and super rough,” said Austrian pro skier Tao Kreibich, 27, in a video about a recent trip to the country’s far reaches. “You can do some crazy things.”
Yes, but…
While many of Japan's roughly 500 ski resorts are enjoying a brilliant season, giant snow drifts have caused problems that have dented profits and raised safety concerns.
“Heavy snowfall is both a joy and a worry” for resort workers, said Shinichi Imoto, a spokesman for Washigatake Ski Resort, which is seeing some of its heaviest snowfalls in a decade. “There's concern if there's no snow, and concern if there's too much snow.”
Some resorts were forced to close lifts to give crews more time to clean up. Road closures cut off potential visitors. In some places, more skiers and snowboarders than usual were lost in the wilderness or trapped in avalanches.
