From the 1990s to the 2000s, Japan experienced an unprecedented snowboarding boom.This flashy and cool new sport captivated many young people at the time.As time passed, young people at the time got married, became parents, and started enjoying snowboarding with their families.These children will be around the same age when their parents started snowboarding, and it's time to leave the nest.30 years since the boom.It seems that the world is about to reach such a time.Hoshino Resort Tomamu(Tomamu) is one of the largest resort facilities in Hokkaido.There are many attractions and facilities that can be enjoyed by everyone, from experienced snowboarders to inexperienced snowboarders.I stayed in Tomamu as a graduation trip for two super-core snowboarding families whose children were graduating from high school this year.
This time we stayed with two snowboarders and their families, who it is no exaggeration to say have created the history of Japanese snowboarding.One is Masanori Takeuchi.A legendary rider.He was the first person in Japan to be certified as a professional snowboarder, and has expressed snowboarding not only through his skiing but also through his way of life.It was Mr. Takeuchi who started Japan's first tour operation using cats (snowmobiles).The other person is Takuya Tsukada, the representative of Studio Japaho.A person who has been disseminating snowboarding information on the Internet since the days when magazines and videos were the mainstream information.Of course, he has also done many other jobs related to winter sports, and is one of the most important people in the snow industry who has led board culture.
The two have known each other for a long time, and 12 years ago they went on a family trip to Tomamu.Since then, Tomamu has been a luxury resort and the perfect place for hardcore snowboarders to take a break.Tomamu is full of memories with children, making it the perfect place for a special graduation trip.Of course, the factor of having a place to make memories is also important, but for families whose core part of life is snowboarding, snowboarding is a must for their graduation.How have children understood snowboarding, something their parents have enjoyed all their lives?This is because it is a process of confirming how the child will graduate from his parents.
The first person to graduate from high school this time is Takeuchi's eldest son, Yuki (Haruki).He has achieved results in freeride competitions and is a rider supported by Burton, so he is probably already well known.He will be entering the workforce this year and plans to spend some time skiing in the high-quality snowy mountains of Australia during the green season and in Japan during the winter season.The other is Tsukada's only daughter, Sakura.She plans to enroll at an Australian university this summer.Although he is not a rider, he is quite skilled at snowboarding.The two of them are leaving the nest in a big way.Snowboarding with the whole family is going to be difficult in the future.
Right: The current park, which is completed every spring, is also highly complete, and riders from all over Hokkaido gather to see it.
Now, most of Tomamu's vast ski slopes can be accessed with a single gondola.From there, you can enjoy a variety of fun activities, such as connecting with a lift and skiing finely, or riding a gondola and skiing long distances over and over again.Advanced skiers like Haruki can jump at the park, which opens in March, and can easily enjoy sidecountry riding in the open area.You can also groom the gentle slopes together as a family, so you can have fun together according to your family's level.
At the peak of the gondola is the famous Hoarfrost Terrace, which is crowded with people during the green season as the Unkai Terrace.Although the probability is low, a sea of clouds can occur in spring even when the slopes are open.In such a case, it might be a good idea to relax and watch the sea of clouds at the cafe on the terrace.At noon, you can enjoy a full-fledged lunch at the resort center, which has many specialty shops.On this day, we decided to have lunch at Farm Designs, which is in the same Tomamu area but a little further away.The ``Prosciutto Mozzarella Panino'' here is an exquisite sandwich made with mozzarella cheese handmade from Tomamu milk from Farm Hoshino.
Many activities are held in front of Farm Designs, such as snowmobiling and snow rafting.Haruki was a little shy, but she and her younger sister and Sakura enjoyed the banana boat together.
Tomamu has many restaurants, including a buffet with dishes unique to Hokkaido, soup curry, ramen, Genghis Khan, and izakaya.However, the best choice for a special day is the Italian restaurant ``OTTO SETTE TOMAMU'' located on the top floor of Risonare Tomamu.For adults, we recommend pairing the course meal, which uses plenty of Hokkaido ingredients, with alcohol.Pairing refers to the provision of beer or wine that matches each dish.The two graduates, who cannot drink alcohol yet, chose to pair soft drinks.This is actually very delicious and very popular.
Not only does the food taste delicious, but the staff is also sophisticated and witty.The dinner progressed peacefully, and we started to talk about things that we would normally be too shy to talk about.Haruki, who has stepped into the same world as his father, is searching for his own path while being aware of his too great father.And say it with your own words. ``I am Nanakou.''In fact, even though I hadn't even skated during the day, a local boarder told me it looked good.Haruki already has this charm as a human being, but he may not realize it yet.Parents put their children first in their actions, but this can sometimes be a burden to children.Seven lights means starting from a position that is better than others.It is up to the person himself to decide how to take advantage of this favorable start.A boy who had been skating mainly in the local mountains received sponsorship from a manufacturer, and when he graduated from high school, he jumped out of the junior category and from his parents.He wants to go out into the bigger world and skate on a bigger scale!He declared this to his great father and mother, and to the adults who had watched over him since ancient times.
Sakura loves photography and film, and after graduating, she will spend four years studying related subjects in Australia.She had left her parents' home from her high school to study abroad in Canada.She must have experienced hardships and setbacks that would be hard to imagine for someone living an ordinary high school life in Japan.Snowboarding was the thing that freed her up.She says she has met many people through this sport, and that is what she enjoys the most.That's why snowboarding is so important to her.Although she is the same age as Haruki, she has a strong opinion and has an older sister-like atmosphere, and she gives advice to Haruki, who expresses anxiety about going abroad.Her father and mother are watching over them with kind eyes as she graduates and has bright eyes for the future.Such a party was being held at a restaurant on the top floor of a skyscraper tower located in the deep woods of Tomamu.
The next day is an activity that symbolizes Tomamu,Mt. Karifuri Cat TourI will participate in. This tour began 18 years ago when a young Mr. Tsukada submitted a proposal to Hoshino Resort CEO Yoshiji Hoshino, who was also beginning to gain attention as a young manager.The project was started under the direction of Mr. Takeuchi, who had been conducting cat tours in Hikarigahara, Niigata Prefecture, for several years.Tomamu's Koichi Tamai and Momo Miyaoka have been running the tour locally since its inception.Tomamu's cat tours are rare in Japan, and are full-fledged backcountry tours that use natural snowy mountains to access riding points by snowmobile (in Japan, there are many cat tours that use areas that were originally ski slopes).As a result, it took two years to start, including cultivating snowy mountains and obtaining permits.During that time, Mr. Takeuchi and Mr. Tsukada frequently visited Tomamu from Honshu and made considerable efforts to develop the area.
The Mt. Karifuri cat tour is open to anyone over the age of 18, making it perfect for hardcore snowboarders to take part in a graduation trip with their parents.In fact, some students not only participate as part of their graduation trip, but also participate many times with their parents and children.Riding on a natural mountain is different from a well-maintained slope and comes with many dangers, but veteran guide Tamai-san's operations ensure that tours are always safe and enjoyable.This activity is one of the most popular in Tomamu, and seats fill up quickly when pre-season reservations begin.
Cat Tours seems to face many problems on a daily basis, not only in terms of funding, but running it for 18 years seems to have been no mean feat.There is a strong desire from all sides for the tour to continue, but as 18 years have passed, it has become increasingly difficult for Tamai and Tomomi to run the tour alone, and a young successor is desired.It seems like the operator is about to graduate here.Currently, Takao Nagata, who is a little older than Haruki and his friends but is also from the Z generation, has begun training to become a full-fledged backcountry guide in order to lead the next generation of cat tours.Even on days when he is not on tour, he is still skiing on the slopes and in the backcountry, but on this day he participated as Cat's driver.The people who are perfect for this job, which requires a genuine love for skiing and snowboarding, are training under Tamai's strict guidance.On the management side, the ideas of the pioneers are steadily being passed on to the next generation.
The graduation trip took place in mid-March.It had snowed since the night before, and we were able to enjoy unseasonable powder.Our lead guide, Mr. Tamai, skied down to check the snow surface conditions.I received a radio call from Mr. Tamai reporting on the snow surface and saying it was OK to ride.A faint light was shining in, and Sakura, following the cameraman's instructions, slipped into an area where there seemed to be a lot of snow.With her freedom in hand, she carved three large lines with a big smile on her face.Haruki came out from between the trees, raised a large cloud of snow, and burst through it.Like cutting through the darkness.
After watching their children ski, the two fathers skied down the snowy mountain they had developed in their own style.Momo, the tail guide who has known Haruki and Sakura since they were little, watched with warm eyes as the two skated, their height surpassing hers before she knew it, as she drew the final line and descended.
Lunch after morning riding.Since it is impossible to build permanent structures in the mountains, nomadic tents called yurts, which can be taken down at the end of the season, are set up as a lunch venue.Not only is the food delicious, but the interior is spacious and warm with a fireplace, allowing you to take a hot breath.In the afternoon, I took a cat ride to a different mountain from the one in the morning and rode a few more.The trip ended by returning to Tomamu from the Mt. Karifuri area and meeting up with other families who were skiing on the slopes.
A family graduation trip is like the culmination of raising a child.Whether you are a family for whom snowboarding has been a big part of your life, or even a family that has continued to enjoy it as a hobby, you should definitely choose a graduation trip where you can enjoy snowboarding.The first time I went snowboarding with my family.Parents have taught their children how to approach snowboarding while creating many memories with their children, who have improved year by year.We will share with the children various ideas about snowboarding.This is because the graduation trip may be the last chance to do so.Tomamu is a fun resort filled with many amusements.Even if you've never been here before, or if you have family members who aren't really into snowboarding, you can still have fun.But at the center of it all is a snowboard.That's why Tomamu is the perfect place for a snowboarding family's graduation trip.This stay was a wonderful graduation trip that made me realize that.
Text & Photo：Harada
