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A look back at ski areas from Japan’s past 過去の日本のスキー場を懐かしむ

Moriyama Kogen

Ono City, Fukui Prefecture

森山高原スキー場　福井県大野市

Moriyama Kogen was a small ski area in the Moriyama neighbourhood of Ono City, in the northeastern region of Fukui Prefecture. The ski area was developed in 1963 by a local tourism association, and there may have been plans for it to be larger with additional ski lifts. Moriyama Kogen closed around the mid-2000s. The single lift and simple surface lift were removed, but the old base lodge building remains. Since closing, nature has quickly reclaimed the mountain with many trees on what used to be the ski slope.

Opened
開設		 1963
Closed
 閉設		 Mid-2000s
Base elevation
標高最低		 About 270m
Top elevation
標高最高		 About 340m
Vertical
標高差		 About 70m
Steepest slope
最大斜度		 20-30°
[unconfirmed]
Number of courses
コース本数		 3
Longest run
最長滑走距離		 About 600m
Skill level
初級・中級・上級		 70% beginner
30% intermediate
0% advanced
Ski / board
スキー・ボード		 100% skiers
0% snowboarders
[2001 guidebook]
Ski lifts
リフト本数		 2 lifts
Single 340m
Surface lift(s) 　
The lifts have both been removed
Night skiing
ナイター設備		 There was no night skiing at Moriyama Kogen

Photographs

Taken in July 2023
写真撮影：2023年7月

Moriyama Kogen Ski Area（森山高原スキー場）
Moriyama Kogen Ski Area（森山高原スキー場）
Moriyama Kogen Ski Area（森山高原スキー場）
Moriyama Kogen Ski Area（森山高原スキー場）
Moriyama Kogen Ski Area（森山高原スキー場）
Moriyama Kogen Ski Area（森山高原スキー場）
Moriyama Kogen Ski Area（森山高原スキー場）
Moriyama Kogen Ski Area（森山高原スキー場）
Moriyama Kogen Ski Area（森山高原スキー場）
Moriyama Kogen Ski Area（森山高原スキー場）
Moriyama Kogen Ski Area（森山高原スキー場）
Moriyama Kogen Ski Area（森山高原スキー場）
Moriyama Kogen Ski Area（森山高原スキー場）
Moriyama Kogen Ski Area（森山高原スキー場）
Moriyama Kogen Ski Area（森山高原スキー場）

Further Information

  • Moriyama Kogen Ski Area was located in the Moriyama 森山 neighbourhood of Ono City, less than 10km south of the main central area of the city
    　
  • In a local city newsletter from 1979, an article mentions the ski area as having origins dating back to the Taisho Era (1912-1926)
    　
  • Apparently, simple ski-jumping activities were enjoyed at the location
    　
  • In 1963 locals established a tourist promotion association, Moriyama Kogen Kanko Shinkokai 森山高原観光振興会, and the ski slope, base lodge and car park were developed
    　
  • The first ski lift was installed in 1970
    　
  • The article also mentioned plans for additional 'Number 2' and 'Number 3' ski lifts
    　
  • Records of only two lifts can be found - a single lift and a surface 'pony' lift
    　
  • The exact positioning of the latter cannot be confirmed
    　
  • The ski slope was mainly suited to beginner skiers
    　
  • Various guidebooks from the 1980s and 1990s offer conflicting information, including the steepest slope ranging from 20 to 30 degrees
    　
  • Looking at available photos and terrain, the former definitely seems more likely
    　
  • One guidebook from 1976 mentions three rope tow lifts in addition to the single lift
    　
  • Moriyaka Kogen was 'skiers only' - at least it was until 2001, as noted in a guidebook for that season
    　
  • The ski area is thought to have closed by the mid-2000s
    　
  • The ski lifts have been removed, but the base lodge building remains
    　
  • The location was visited in late July 2023
    　
  • The building was until recently used by a company offering traditional Japanese drum experiences, though it currently appears to be closed/unused
    　
  • The old ski slope is now completely covered in trees, making it very hard to imagine that there used to be a ski area here
    　
  • The only significant clearing nearby is what looks like the old car park
    　
  • Some old road signs remain in the nearby neighbourhood, and some say just Moriyama Ski Area 森山スキー場

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Location
所在地

Located about 2km off Route 157, less than 10km south of central Ono City in Fukui Prefecture.
About 8.5km from the Ono IC exit of the Chubu Jukan Expressway.
About 32km from the Fukui IC exit of the Hokuriku Expressway.
About 7km from Echizen Ono Station on the Etsumi Hokusen line.
中部縦貫自動車道　大野ICから的8.5km
北陸自動車道　福井ICから的32km
越美北線線　越前大野駅から的7km　

Currently operating ski & snowboard resorts in the region
近隣の運営中のスキー場

All currently operating ski areas in Fukui Prefecture

This page was created in June 2023
Last updated on 26th July 2023
2023年6月 作成　2023年7月26日 更新