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

Kisokoma Kogen

Kiso Town, Nagano Prefecture

木曽駒高原スキー場　長野県木曽町

Kisokoma Kogen was a ski area located on the northern foothills of Kisokomagatake, the main peak of the Central Alps, in the southwestern region of Nagano Prefecture. The full official name was Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa or Shinwa Kisokoma Kogen. It was the oldest ski area in this region, starting with one ski lift. Over the years, it grew to have one quad lift, five pair lifts, and night skiing until midnight. In later years it was particularly popular with snowboarders. Kisokoma Kogen closed in 2005.

Opened
開設		 1962
Closed
 閉設		 2005
Base elevation
標高最低		 1,250m
Top elevation
標高最高		 1,600m
Vertical
標高差		 350m
Steepest slope
最大斜度		 32°
Number of courses
コース本数		 8
Longest run
最長滑走距離		 1,200m
Skill level
初級・中級・上級		 30% beginner
40% intermediate
30% advanced
Ski / board
スキー・ボード		 30% / 70% [2001]
Ski lifts
リフト本数		 6 lifts
Quad 800m
Pair 600m
Pair 600m
Pair 600m
Pair 400m
Pair 400m
The lifts have been removed
Some buildings remain in place
Floodlights remain in place
Night skiing
ナイター設備		 There was night skiing and it used to be open until midnight on Saturdays

Photographs

Taken in October 2022
写真撮影：2022年10月

Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）
Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa Ski Area（木曽駒高原新和スキー場）

Further Information

  • This ski area was located in beautiful natural surroundings about 5km NNW of the summit of Mt Kisokoma
    　
  • It initially opened in 1972 as Kisokoma Kogen Shinwa  木曽駒高原新和スキー場
    　
  • It was also known as Shinwa Kisokoma Kogen  新和木曽駒高原スキー場
    　
  • It was the oldest ski area in the Kiso region
    　
  • A 1976 guidebook shows just one 350m single lift and two rope tow lifts, and it was described as a 'quiet and natural local ski area'
    　
  • By 1989 the same guidebooks show three ski lifts: one 755m quad lift and two pair lifts (450m and 755m) with 'plans for further expansion'
    　
  • Eventually, Kisokoma Kogen expanded to have six ski lifts (one quad and five pairs) and became a fashionable place to be
    　
  • It featured a DJ booth with huge outdoor speakers with loud music in the base area
    　
  • It was also open from 6am and until midnight on Saturdays and usually until 10pm on other days of the week
    　
  • Kisokoma Kogen was particularly popular with snowboarders in its later years
    　
  • The region does not usually get particularly heavy snowfall, so many artificial snow-making machines were on hand
    　
  • While there is a holiday home area on the way up to the resort, there were never many accommodations nearby
    　
  • Consequently, it was popular for day trips with parking on seven car parks for 2,000 vehicles (apparently one was two-storey)
    　
  • Many people visited Kisokoma Kogen from the Nagoya region, which is less than two hours away by road
    　
  • Unfortunately, the ski area closed during the 2004 season due to bankruptcy
    　
  • With new management, it very briefly re-opened for the following season, but soon after closed again and never re-opened
    　
  • The lifts have been removed though some old floodlights for night skiing remain
    　
  • The old ski area base location, including the base building, is now known as Kisokoma Reisui Koen 木曽駒冷水公園 (literally meaning Kisokoma Cold Water Park)
    　
  • This non-commercial venture is based on the concept of protecting the natural water source, enjoying the beautiful natural surroundings and learning about natural conservation
    　
  • It features an auto campsite, wood deck and other activities

Google Earth

Google Street View

Google Maps

Location
所在地

About 6km off Route 19 in the south-eastern region of Kiso Town in Nagano Prefecture.
About 32km from the Ina IC exit and 70km from the Nakatsugawa IC exit of the Chuo Expressway.
About 7km from Harano Station and 11.5km from Kiso Fukushima Station on the Chuo Honsen line.
中央自動車道　伊那ICから的32km　中津川ICから的70km
中央本線　原野駅から的7km　木曽福島駅から的11.5km

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

Kiso Fukushima 　きそふくしま　21km
All currently operating ski areas in Nagano Prefecture

This page was created in May 2020
Last updated on 15th November 2022
2020年5月 作成　2022年11月15日 更新