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

Yanaizu Onsen

Yanaizu Town, Fukushima Prefecture

柳津温泉スキー場　福島県柳津町

Yanaizu Onsen was a ski area located close to the central Yanaizu Onsen hot springs area of Yanaizu Town in the western region of Fukushima Prefecture. Yanaizu Onsen had a few unique and interesting features - including a roadside single lift with a mid-point, a rare 'J-bar' lift that actually changed direction mid-point, and night skiing only on the upper area.

Yanaizu Onsen Ski Area（柳津温泉スキー場）
Opened
開設		 Around 1980
Closed
 閉設		 2013
Base elevation
標高最低		 210m
Top elevation
標高最高		 440m
Vertical
標高差		 230m
Steepest slope
最大斜度		 35°
Number of courses
コース本数		 3
Longest run
最長滑走距離		 800m
Skill level
初級・中級・上級		 25% beginner
50% intermediate
25% advanced
Ski / board
スキー・ボード		 Unknown
Ski lifts
リフト本数		 2 lifts
Single 450m
Platter/J-bar 400m
The lifts remain in place
Night skiing
ナイター設備		 There was night skiing in the upper area

Photographs

Taken in May 2021
写真撮影：2021年5月  

Yanaizu Onsen Ski Area（柳津温泉スキー場）
Yanaizu Onsen Ski Area（柳津温泉スキー場）
Yanaizu Onsen Ski Area（柳津温泉スキー場）
Yanaizu Onsen Ski Area（柳津温泉スキー場）
Yanaizu Onsen Ski Area（柳津温泉スキー場）
Yanaizu Onsen Ski Area（柳津温泉スキー場）
Yanaizu Onsen Ski Area（柳津温泉スキー場）
Yanaizu Onsen Ski Area（柳津温泉スキー場）
Yanaizu Onsen Ski Area（柳津温泉スキー場）
Yanaizu Onsen Ski Area（柳津温泉スキー場）
Yanaizu Onsen Ski Area（柳津温泉スキー場）
Yanaizu Onsen Ski Area（柳津温泉スキー場）
Yanaizu Onsen Ski Area（柳津温泉スキー場）
Yanaizu Onsen Ski Area（柳津温泉スキー場）
Yanaizu Onsen Ski Area（柳津温泉スキー場）
Yanaizu Onsen Ski Area（柳津温泉スキー場）
Yanaizu Onsen Ski Area（柳津温泉スキー場）
Yanaizu Onsen Ski Area（柳津温泉スキー場）
Yanaizu Onsen Ski Area（柳津温泉スキー場）
Yanaizu Onsen Ski Area（柳津温泉スキー場）
Yanaizu Onsen Ski Area（柳津温泉スキー場）
Yanaizu Onsen Ski Area（柳津温泉スキー場）
Yanaizu Onsen Ski Area（柳津温泉スキー場）
Yanaizu Onsen Ski Area（柳津温泉スキー場）
Yanaizu Onsen Ski Area（柳津温泉スキー場）
Yanaizu Onsen Ski Area（柳津温泉スキー場）
Yanaizu Onsen Ski Area（柳津温泉スキー場）
Yanaizu Onsen Ski Area（柳津温泉スキー場）
Yanaizu Onsen Ski Area（柳津温泉スキー場）
Yanaizu Onsen Ski Area（柳津温泉スキー場）

Further Information

  • Some people visited Yanaizu Onsen just to ride the unique ski lifts
    　
  • The Number 1 single lift is positioned right by the side of the road, along with space for a number of cars
    　
  • The lift goes above the road to the mid-point of the ski area
    　
  • After about 150m the lift arrives at what was the base of the lower ski run
    　
  • At that point riders could get on the lift as it continued up to the Center House building
    　
  • There was no ski run back down to the roadside
    　
  • The upper Number 2 lift (above the Center House) was called a  シュレップリフト lift - in English, a 'J-bar' or 'platter' lift
    　
  • Here is how Wikipedia describes this kind of lift: "These consist of an aerial cable loop running over a series of wheels, powered by an engine at one end. Hanging from the rope are a series of vertical recoiling cables, each attached to a horizontal J- or T-shaped bar – which is placed behind the skier's buttocks or between the snowboarder's legs – or a plastic button or platter that is placed between the skiers legs"
    　
  • That upper lift also changed direction at a mid-point
    　
  • The lift mechanism looks complicated as can be seen on the above photographs
    　
  • Floodlit night-time operations were only on the upper area above the Center House
    　
  • At least in the later years of operation, the ski area was only open from 5:00pm until 9:00pm on weekdays
    　
  • It opened from 8:30am until 9:00pm on Saturdays, and from 8:30am until 4:30pm on Sundays and holidays
    　
  • At one point it was also open during the daytime on weekdays

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Location
所在地

Located less than 1km from central Yanaizu Town in Fukushima Prefecture.
The base lift is by the side of Prefecture Road 151 and just over 500m off Route 252.
About 6km from the Aizubange IC exit of the Banetsu Expressway.
About 1.7km from Aizu Yanaizu Station on the Tadami line.
磐越自動車道　会津坂下ICから的6km
只見線　会津柳津駅から的1.7km

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 Fukushima Prefecture

This page was created in May 2020
Last updated on 11th August 2022
2020年5月 作成 　2022年8月11日 更新