We had such an amazing powder 2-3 days before the close of the season.  This year many ski resorts really struggled with snow and even in Norikura we had very little snow.  Having said that, we are super blessed with a high elevation of 1480 Meters … almost a mile high and this allows us to have some of the greatest snow on Honshu.  Check these kids and staff in a riding session during a snowboard camp at Northstar!

Though it may be turning March, it’s not spring just yet in Norikura. Although the plums are just blossoming down the mountain from Norikura Kogen, the ski hill is still up and running. The ski lifts will tentatively be open for one more month. Which means if you still haven’t pulled your skis or snowboard out of the closet yet this season – it’s about time! Hurry up and plan your end of winter trip to the mountain for some fun in the snow.

Rooms and Learn To Ride snowboard lessons from NORTHSTAR have limited availability, so please write or call us as soon as possible to make a reservation. NORTHSTAR’s end of season Thank You Camp could be a perfect opportunity to take your last run on the slopes. This camp special will only be available from March 28-29 and will include a FREE activity, one night of lodging, and two meals for ¥7800 per person. Please see our LTR page for more info on prices for lessons, our Events page for more upcoming activities and camps, or our Spring Backcountry page for the next season of fun here with NORTHSTAR outdoor adventures.

On Thursday here in Norikura at the snow park on the mountain, our park crew working alongside the mountain crew have continued construction of a nice kicker. We have been working to clean it up a bit and create a gap for some nice air time. When we’re finished, it should look pretty nice. Hope to see you around up mountain hitting the park. Enjoy yourself and have a safe ride.

We got a blessing of snow this afternoon!

After a day in the ski resort, friends and staff enjoyed the NORTHSTAR snow park while the snow was falling.

There will be powder tomorrow!!

During the winter, it’s a little cold to be climbing outside.
Since we have our own indoor wall in the front lobby, we can boulder, top rope, as well as sport climb.
Recently, we have been practicing sport climbing to get in shape for the spring when we can venture outside to places like the sport routes in the nearby village of Shirahone.

Since we are practicing lead climbing, we climb as if we were top-roping.
We are belayed on a top-rope, but we also wear another rope as if we were lead climbing.
We can safely climb because of the top-rope, but we can practice clipping in with quickdraws and the secondary rope ‘as if’ we were truly lead climbing.
This is one way to begin learning how to lead climb and venture into the world of sport and traditional climbing!

We’ve been working on our very own snow park here at NORTHSTAR.

The staff have been putting in a lot of time to get the park ready to session.

And we are having a bit of fun along the way.

We hope you will come and check out the park sometime this season!