[Total amount: 1.2 billion yen! Seven new snowmaking machines installed! ] Aiming for the “fastest opening in November ever” with all 8 units producing snow making “525 tons per day”! Two new “artificial snow machines” have been installed, totaling 37 machines, to create snow. Gran Snow Okuibuki, one of the largest ski resorts in Kansai
*View in browser* *Okuibuki Kanko Co., Ltd.*
Press release: June 11, 2024
[Total amount: 1.2 billion yen! Seven new snowmaking machines installed! ] Aiming for the “fastest opening in November ever” with all 8 units producing snow making “525 tons per day”! Two new “artificial snow machines” have been installed, totaling 37 machines, to create snow. Gran Snow Okuibuki, one of the largest ski resorts in Kansai
“Seven new artificial snowmaking machines will be installed at a total cost of 1 billion yen.”Including the existing one, “a total of eight machines” will make “525 tons of snow a day.”
A ski slope where you can enjoy the best views and powder snow Grand Snow Okuibuki is one of the largest ski resorts in the Kansai region and is bustling with activity.
*
[Total of 1.2 billion yen! 7 new snowmaking machines installed! Aiming for the “fastest opening in November ever” with all 8 machines making 525 tons of snow per day! “Two artificial snow machines” have also been newly installed, and “a total of 37 machines” are making snow! 】*
Gran Snow Okuibuki (formerly known as Okuibuki Ski Resort) in Maibara City, Shiga Prefecture, one of the largest in Kansai
(https://www.okuibuki.co.jp/)
In preparation for the opening of the 2024-25 season, after the trial introduction of one artificial snow-making machine manufactured by Italy’s Techno Alpin, which was introduced for the first time in Japan last season, seven artificial snow-making machines will be installed this season. Newly established.
Starting in early October, all 8 units will be in operation to create 525 tons of snow per day, and Gran Snow Okuibuki will open its ski resort in November, about a month earlier than previously. I aim for it.
In addition, we have installed two new snowmaking machines, equipped a total of 37 snowmaking machines, and taken measures to combat climate change and global warming in recent years. We will actively invest in equipment to prepare for the arrival of customers during the winter season.
“Artificial snowmaking machine” introduced for the first time in Japan (manufactured by Techno Alpin, Italy)
“Seven new artificial snow making machines will be installed at a total cost of 1.2 billion yen.” Including the existing one, “a total of 8 machines” will make “525 tons of snow per day.”
“Full operation 24 hours a day is possible”! Many snowy mountains will be created on the ski slopes from an early stage.
*
[7 artificial snow machines manufactured by Italy’s Techno Alpin, the world’s top share artificial snow machine manufacturer, have been installed, bringing the total to 8 machines! Making 525 tons of snow in one day! “Opening in November” about a month earlier than usual! We aim for 150 business days! 】*
In preparation for the winter season of 2024-25, we introduced an ice crusher/ICS for the first time in Japan last season as an “artificial snow machine” (ice crusher/ICS) manufactured by Techno Alpin, an Italian company that boasts the world’s top market share as an artificial snow machine manufacturer. After introducing one machine on a trial basis, this season we have installed seven new snowmaking machines.
Starting in early October, all 8 units were operated to create 525 tons of snow per day (approximately 12 times more snow than last season). In addition to aiming to open the venue, we will extend the closing date by about 10 days by continuing to make snow until the end of the season, aiming for a total of 150 business days.
The installation locations are the “Family Slope”, which is used by everyone from beginners to advanced skiers, and the “Variety Slope”, the main course of Grand Snow Okuibuki, which has Japan’s fastest high-speed lift. A total of 1300m of skiing is possible.
Aiming to be the future of skiing and snowboarding by introducing the latest snow machines that can continue to make snow 24 hours a day, regardless of the high temperature, despite recent global warming and climate change. We are taking a big step forward.
* [Overview of introducing snowmaking machine] *
Equipment: Snowmaking machines “1 existing machine” + “7 new machines” = “8 machines in total”
(*Introduced for the first time in Japan at Gran Snow Okuibuki last season) Snow making capacity: 45 tons/day “5 units” 100 tons/day “3 units” Total “525 tons/day”
(*Snow making capacity is about 12 times that of last season) By course: “Family slope” 45 tons/day “3 units”
“Variety slope” 45 tons/day “2 units” 100 tons/day “3 units” Skiing distance: 1300m (Family slope 400m, Variety slope 900m) (*Slopes and skiing distances that can be skied using only artificial snowmaking machines, total skiing distance of 7150m during the season when natural snow falls)
Manufacturer: Made by Techno Alpin (Italy) (world’s top market share for artificial snow machine manufacturers)
Introduction cost: Total 1.2 billion yen
Start of operation: Early October 2024
Ski resort opening: November 2024
Business period: November to April
Business days: 150 days
*The average number of business days at Gran Snow Okuibuki over the past 20 years is 100.6 days.
This season, we aim to increase the number of business days by 1.5 times to 150 days.
* [What is an artificial extension machine] *
An artificial snow machine is a machine that makes ice in a huge freezer and crushes it to make snow.
System), also called an ice crusher.
Click here for details on “Artificial Snow Making Machine”
https://www.okuibuki.co.jp/snow-machine/
“Artificial snow machine” (manufactured by SMI, USA) to be expanded to “total 37″ by installing two new machines
“Artificial snow machine” (manufactured by SMI, USA) to be expanded to “total 37” by installing 2 new units
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfryjvi7_3k
* [Two new artificial snow machines made by American company SMI, the latest models, have been installed! We will create snow with a total of 37 units and create a slope where you can ski for a 5-month long season! 】*
In preparation for the winter season of 2024-25, we have installed two new artificial snow machines, the latest model from SMI, a
world-famous snow manufacturer. In addition to the 35 existing snowmaking machines, a total of 37 state-of-the-art machines will be used to make snow.
The areas where artificial snow machines will be installed include one in the middle to upper part of the Tenguiwa course at the top right side of the slope, where no artificial snow machines have been installed before, and one in Japan’s largest kids park. Newly established.
As a result, in addition to the “courses often used by beginners and intermediate skiers,” where artificial snow machines have been installed, snow can now be applied to “courses for intermediate and advanced skiers,” and “the entire slope is covered with snow.” Approximately 80% of the slopes can be covered with artificial snow, allowing you to ski all the way to the top of the slope without running out of snow and experiencing a wide variety of course variations. It will be possible to play in the snow from the beginning until the end of spring break in early April.
We aim to maintain stable ski slope conditions by making snow with artificial snow machines and snowmaking machines, and aim for a “5-month long season” by extending the season’s operation.
* [What is an artificial snow machine] *
An artificial snow machine is a device that artificially creates snow by spraying water into the low-temperature atmosphere, resulting in snow accumulation. Broadly speaking, there are two types: gun type, which blows snow with a jet of compressed air, and fan type, which uses a large fan.
Click here for details on “Artificial Snow Making Machine”
https://www.okuibuki.co.jp/snow-machine/
The latest restaurant “Food Park Piste” underwent “major renewal for the first time in 40 years” the season before last.
“Japan’s Fastest High-Speed Lift” Variety Quad
The belt conveyor type moving walkway (Arkande) has been completely renewed to “the latest escalators, 3 up and 3 down, for a total of 6 escalators”
* [Ahead of the opening of the 2024-25 season, further capital investments are planned, including the installation of a new escalator from the parking lot to the slopes and the latest installation of septic tank equipment] *
Further capital investment is planned for opening in the 2024-25 season. In order to reduce the burden of moving from the parking lot to the slopes, the existing belt conveyor-type moving walkway (Arcande) will be completely renewed, and a total of 6 new escalators, 3 up and 3 down, will be installed. In addition to investing 300 million yen, we will also spend 300 million yen on the installation of the latest septic tank equipment to reduce the environmental impact. We will try to “increase the appeal of the entire ski resort in various ways,” including the
In the future, please be sure to pay attention to the “latest information transmission” from Gran Snow Okuibuki.
The stylish latest restaurant has a lineup of “approximately 80 types of gourmet food from around the world and Japan”! Also looks great on SNS!
“Seven new artificial snowmaking machines will be installed at a total cost of 1.2 billion yen.”Including the existing one, “a total of eight machines” will make “525 tons of snow a day.”
*
[Biwako (Otsu City, Hikone City, Nagahama City, Maibara City, Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture), which includes the use of “Grand Snow Okuibuki” in the “Project to Promote the Formation of an Internationally Competitive Snow Resort” by the Japan Tourism Agency. is regionally selected! 】*
On June 10, the Japan Tourism Agency announced that “Biwako” (Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, Hikone City, Nagahama City, Maibara City, and Takashima City) were selected.
The name of the formation plan is “Formation of a Lake Biwa snow resort that can be enjoyed for half a year in conjunction with urban tourism”, and the project will be supported by Biwako Visitors Bureau, a public interest incorporated association that formulated the formation plan, and will be managed by “Okuibuki Kanko Co., Ltd.”, which operates Gran Snow Okuibuki. Company” and “Okuibuki Forest Rec Co., Ltd.”.
With the assistance provided by this project, we will smoothly proceed with “introducing snowmaking machines, securing secondary
transportation, and strengthening promotions through collaboration with global OTA” for the 2024-25 season.
Grand Snow Okuibuki’s “Spectacular View at the Top” Sky View Course Easy access from Kyoto, Osaka, and Nagoya, and extremely popular with women Spectacular views from the top of the Tengu Rock Course! You can enjoy dynamic skiing while looking out at the “majestic scenery of the mountains.”
The Biwako region, which includes the use of Grand Snow Okuibuki, has been selected for the Project to Promote the Formation of an Internationally Competitive Snow Resort.
* [What is the project to promote the creation of internationally competitive snow resorts] *
As the number of foreign tourists visiting Japan who enjoy skiing and snowboarding is increasing, in order to capture inbound demand for snow resorts in a timely and accurate manner, we will work together as a community to attract foreign tourists visiting Japan with high motivation and potential to capture inbound demand. This project supports efforts to create internationally competitive snow resorts in the region.
The Japan Tourism Agency invites the public to select regions that will form internationally competitive snow resorts, and after selecting them by a committee including experts, we will create content for the après-ski green season in the region, prepare an environment for welcoming foreigners, and Efforts such as securing instructors who can handle people, securing secondary transportation, disseminating information, and improving ski resort infrastructure will be supported.
Public recruitment for this project was held from February 19th to March 29th, 2020. 17 regions including prefectures were selected. Half of the project costs of the selected projects will be subsidized.
A very popular ski resort that ranks #1 in the national ski resort popularity ranking.
“Japan’s largest kids park” is equipped with a “moving walkway with a tunnel” that is “first introduced in Japan”
The latest “center house” where you can get everything ready before hitting the slopes.
* [Summary of Gran Snow Okuibuki] *
Located in the northern part of Shiga Prefecture, this ski resort boasts one of the largest snowfalls in Kansai. Known for its easy access from the Keihanshin and Chukyo areas and its high altitude and good snow quality, the 14 courses that take advantage of the natural topography attract more than 250,000 visitors each season, mainly day-trip skiers and snowboarders. gather people. Taking advantage of our strength as a self-managed ski resort, we operate all facilities related to the ski resort (cableway facilities, restaurants, rentals, schools, etc.) in-house. In addition, in recent years, the ski resort has been in the midst of a ski recession due to the construction of Japan’s fastest high-speed lift, the creation of new courses (with a maximum slope of 46 degrees), the introduction of artificial snow machines, and the introduction of automatic ticket gate systems (ACS). In order to overcome the current situation of the industry and lead to further development, we are actively investing in equipment that incorporates advanced technology.
* 【Equipment outline】*
Facility name: Gran Snow Okuibuki (formerly known as Okuibuki Ski Resort) Management company Okuibuki Kanko Co., Ltd.
Residence: Kotsuwara Okuibuki, Maibara City, Shiga Prefecture Telephone: 0749-59-0322
* [Grand Snow Okuibuki] *
https://www.okuibuki.co.jp/
* [Okuibuki Group Site] *
Okuibuki Group
https://www.okuibuki.jp/
Okuibuki Group Recruitment
https://www.okuibuki.jp/recruit/
*About details about this release*
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000205.000025847.html
*Download press release materials*
https://prtimes.jp/im/action.php?run=html&page=releaseimage&company_id=25847&release_id=205