SnowJapanHistory　スノージャパン ヒストリー
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

Osugo

Aizu Wakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture

おおすごスキー場　福島県会津若松市

Osugo was a ski area located to the south of the Higashiyama Onsen region of Aizu Wakamatsu City in Fukushima Prefecture. Osugo opened in 1988, but it only remained open until 1997. Osugo offered a 1800m long night time floodlit course and even though most of the facilities have been removed, the floodlights remain. The full name of this ski area was Aizu Higashiyama Onsen Osugo Ski Area.

Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Opened
開設		 1988
Closed
 閉設		 1997
Base elevation
標高最低		 440m
Top elevation
標高最高		 About 750m
Vertical
標高差		 About 310m
Steepest slope
最大斜度		 35°
Number of courses
コース本数		 6
Longest run
最長滑走距離		 2,000m
Skill level
初級・中級・上級		 30% beginner
40% intermediate
30% advanced
Ski / board
スキー・ボード		 Unknown
Ski lifts
リフト本数		 2 lifts
Pair 751m
Pair 710m
There were also two simple short lift devices - see below
The lifts have been removed
Night skiing
ナイター設備		 There was night skiing at Osugo

Photographs

Taken in May 2021
写真撮影：2021年5月 

Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）
Osugo Ski Area（おおすごスキー場）

Further Information

  • Osugo Ski Area was located about 10 minutes drive from the Higashiyama Onsen 東山温泉  onsen hot spring area of Aizu Wakamatsu City
    　
  • From the early 1960s there was a ski area called Seaburiyama  背炙山スキー場  in the Higashiyama Onsen area
    　
  • Seaburiyama closed in 1985 - details here
    　
  • Osugo opened in 1988 during the bubble 'ski boom' era, complete with a cool 'skiing bird' logo (probably a hawk)
    　
  • The full name of the ski area was Aizu Higashiyama Onsen Osugo 会津東山温泉おおすごスキー場
    　
  • A free shuttle bus was available from the bus stop known as Higashiyama Onsen Station  東山温泉駅
    　
  • An old Higashiyama Onsen tourist pamphlet described the snow quality at Osugo as 'powder snow' and the ski season being from mid December until early April
    　
  • The runs at this ski area were serviced by two pair lifts
    　
  • There were also two short simple lifts called キャリーエース (or  キャリエース) - it is unclear exactly what kind of devices they were
    　
  • In 1991, five artificial snow-making machines were installed to assist natural snowfall
    　
  • Night skiing at Osugo was until 10pm and it offered 1800m of floodlit course
    　
  • The tourism pamphlet described the night skiing as being the best/biggest in the Tohoku region  東北一のナイターコース
    　
  • A season ticket just for the night skiing was available for 25,000 yen
    　
  • Osugo had three ski schools - one for skiing, one for snowboarding and also a 'racing school'
    　
  • There was parking for about 900 vehicles across a number of car parks by the side of Prefecture Road 325
    　
  • The Rest House Service Center レストハウスサービスセンター  and lower ski lift were reached via a bridge across the river
    　
  • Unfortunately, Osugo did not last 10 years and closed in 1997
    　
  • Nearly 25 years since closing various signage around the base remains - a 'Welcome' sign, course layout and car park signage
    　
  • By the entrance to the old car parks there are a few abandoned buildings and.... some traffic lights (?!)
    　
  • The ski lifts and base Rest House Service Center building have all been removed
    　
  • Various concrete foundations remain in the base and central area, but they are hidden in trees and undergrowth
    　
  • The night skiing floodlight towers remain across the hillside
    　
  • Rest House Taka レストハウス鷹  can also be found close to where the two pair lifts are thought to have met
    　
  • Other than a clearing near the base, it is difficult to imagine what this ski area might have been like - especially the upper half of the mountain
    　
  • Even on a well-prepared visit to the location, it was not possible to confirm some details
    　
  • The small neighbourhood called Osugo  大巣子集落  can be found close to what was the central part of the ski area
    　
  • In May 1969 a large fire destroyed 21 buildings in Osugo and it is now known as an abandoned village

Google Earth

Google Street View

Google Maps

 

Location
所在地

Located by Prefecture Road 325 and about 7km to the south of the Higashiyama Onsen area of Aizu Wakamatsu City.
About 14.5km from the Aizu Wakamatsu IC exit of the Banetsu Expressway.
About 11.5km from Aizu Wakamatsu Station on the Banetsu Saisen line and Tadami line.
磐越自動車道　会津若松ICから的14.5km
磐越西線　只見線　会津若松駅から的11.5km

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 Fukushima Prefecture

This page was created in May 2020
Last updated on 16th June 2021
2020年5月 作成 　2021年6月16日 更新