3/24/2005

Japan’s ski industry is dead–around half of Japan’s 700 ski resorts are bankrupt, but pretend keep their business open because there is a Japanese law that requires them dismantle their lifts and replant their ski slopes with tree if they stop operations. Nut wait there’s the Great White Hope–the Australians. Aussies who think they have found great snow almost at their back door at places like the Hanazono Ski Resort in Niseko Japan. Niseko is described by e-Travel as “overseas skiing and boarding with no jet lag or altitude issues, sensational value for money, easy access and terrific culture and people make Japan a winning destination.”

The Japan’s Ski Industry Stumbles on Age and Economy
SHIGA KOGEN, Japan - The Japanese Alps sparkled in the sun after fresh powder dusted this ski resort, the largest in Asia. But on a recent weekday morning, almost 20 percent of the 71 lifts were closed; a long string of chairs climbing a mountain flank was empty except for one black-clad figure.….more…