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

Iwayama Park

Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture

岩山パークスキー場　岩手県盛岡市

Iwayama Park was a ski area located close to the centre of Morioka City in Iwate Prefecture. It opened in 1967 and was popular at one time with locals. Still, with decreasing numbers and ageing facilities, it was announced in January 2022 that the 2021-2022 season would be its last. The ski area closed at the end of January 2022. The golf course at the location and nearby amusement park both remain open.

Opened
開設		 1967
Closed
 閉設		 30th January 2022
Base elevation
標高最低		 270m
Top elevation
標高最高		 340m
Vertical
標高差		 70m
Steepest slope
最大斜度		 30°
Number of courses
コース本数		 3
Longest run
最長滑走距離		 1000m
Skill level
初級・中級・上級		 50% beginner
50% intermediate
0% advanced
Ski / board
スキー・ボード		 Unknown
Ski lifts
リフト本数		 2 lifts
Pair 289m
Single 315m
The lifts remain in place
Night skiing
ナイター設備		 There was night skiing at Iwayama Park

Further Information

  • Iwayama Park was the closest ski area to central Morioka City
    　
  • The ski area opened in 1967
    　
  • It offered gentle slopes that were part of the Morioka Country Club  盛岡カントリークラブ  golf course outside the winter months
    　
  • At its most popular in the 1980s, about 200,000 people used the ski area during a winter season
    　
  • A guidebook from 1996 mentions two rope tow lifts in addition to the single and pair ski lifts
    　
  • That number was down to just 1,500 in recent years when only one of the two ski lifts (the single lift) was usually open
    　
  • There was floodlit night skiing at Iwayama Park at one time
    　

  • The significant decrease in numbers was due to larger and newer ski areas opening within reach of Morioka (for example, Appi Kogen and Shizukuishi)
    　

  • The area was also getting less snowfall at this low altitude, meaning short seasons of only about 20 days in recent years
    　

  • Iwayama Park often hosted ski events for the people of Morioka city
    　

  • On 12th January 2022, it was announced that the 2021-2022 season would be the last, and the ski area closed on 30th January 2022
    　

  • The reasons given were the decrease in the number of visitors along with ageing facilities required costly maintenance
    　

  • Iwayama Park Land  岩山パークランド  is a small amusement park nearby that opened in 1972
    　

  • Both Iwayama Park Land and Morioka Country Club remain open outside of the winter season

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Location
所在地

Just over 5km to the east of central Morioka City.
About 10km from the Morioka IC exit of the Tohoku Expressway.
About 7km from Morioka Station.
東北自動車道　盛岡ICから的10km
盛岡駅から的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 Iwate Prefecture

This page was created in June 2022
Last updated on 23rd July 2022
2022年6月 作成　2022年7月23日 更新