Ski areas from Japan’s past 過去の日本のスキー場を懐かしむ

Koeji

Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture

越路スキー場　岩手県奥州市

Koeji was a ski area in the eastern region of Oshu City in Iwate Prefecture. It was one of three ski areas in the city, the others being Himekayu and Kunimidaira. In 2023, only Kunimidaira remains operating. Koeji opened in 1967, and at one time, it had a pair lift and five surface ‘amber’ lifts operating. The ski area was last open in February 2022.

Opened
開設		 1967
Closed
 閉設		 2022
Base elevation
標高最低		 485m
Top elevation
標高最高		 700m
Vertical
標高差		 215m
Steepest slope
最大斜度		 28°
Number of courses
コース本数		 4
Longest run
最長滑走距離		 1,000m
Skill level
初級・中級・上級		 40% beginner
30% intermediate
30% advanced
Ski / board
スキー・ボード		 Unconfirmed
Ski lifts
リフト本数		 6 lifts at one time
Pair 　
Surface x5 　
At least the pair lift remains in place
Night skiing
ナイター設備		 There was night skiing at Koeji

Further Information

  • Koeji is a ski area in the eastern region of Oshu City in Iwate Prefecture
    　
  • It opened with a rope tow lift in 1967 as Ide Koeji Shiei Ski Area 伊手越路市民スキー場
    　
  • It was expanded in 1985 with a simple lift (type unclear), lodge, floodlights for night skiing and a car park
    　
  • At that time, it re-opened as Koeji Ski Area
    　
  • But it has also been known as Esashi Shiei Koeji Ski Area 江刺市営越路スキー場
    　
  • The pair lift opened in the 1990s, and more courses opened.
    　
  • In its most popular year, 1992, over 35,000 people visited, and it had a revenue of 37,400,000 yen
    　
  • At one time, six ski lifts were operating at Koeji (the pair lift and five surface lifts)
    　
  • During the early 1990s boom years, they were worried that the car park wasn't big enough
    　
  • Beyond that season, the number of visitors decreased, and the ski area generally received less snowfall
    　
  • In later years as numbers decreased, only the lower three surface lifts (called 'amber lifts') lifts seem to have been used - the pair lift was not operating
    　
  • In recent years, the city has been pondering what to do with its three ski areas - Koeji, Himekayu Ski Area ひめかるスキー場 and Kunimidaira Ski Area 国見平スキー場
    　
  • It was decided that both Koeji and Himekayu would be closed, leaving just Kunimidaira open during the 2022-2023 season
    　
  • Koeji Ski Area was last open on 27th February 2022
    　
  • Its official status in 2023 is the somewhat vague 休止 which implies that it is 'temporarily closed'
    　
  • Perhaps there is hope of a re-opening, though unfortunately, many ski areas that enter that status never get to re-open
    　
  • Indeed, in an interview with an official related to the ski area in 2023, the hope of a possible revival was expressed
    　
  • A Thank you Koeji Ski Area Festival 「ありがとう越路スキー場フェスタ」 took place on 11th February 2023 with snow tubing, snowmobiles and various snow-related activities
    　
  • Information on Himekayu Ski Area can be found on SnowJapanHistory
    　
  • Information on Kunimidaira Ski Area can be found on SnowJapan.com

Google Earth

Google Street View

Google Maps

  • Just under 2km off Route 387 in the eastern region of Oshu City

  • About 27km from the Oshu Smart IC exit of the Tohoku Expressway

  • About 24km from Mizusawa Station on the Tohoku Honsen line

  • 東北自動車道　奥州スマートICから的27km

  • 東北本線　水沢駅から的24km

This page was created in March 2023
Last updated on 12th October 2023
2023年6月 作成　2023年10月12日 更新