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

Nigorigo Onsen

Gero City, Gifu Prefecture

濁河温泉スキー場　岐阜県下呂市

Nigorigo Onsen was a ski area located on the north western slopes of Mt Ontake in Gero City, Gifu Prefecture. Nigorigo Onsen was a fairly small ski area that featured one pair lift as well as some rope tows. It was not particularly easy to get to, but at a high altitude it often offered good snow conditions. Nigorigo Onsen also kept the ski runs ungroomed which was uncommon at a Japanese ski area at the time. The onsen hot spring town area of the same name is a few kilometres further along the road.

Opened
開設		 1963
Closed
 閉設		 2010
Base elevation
標高最低		 1,730m
Top elevation
標高最高		 1,915m
Vertical
標高差		 185m
Steepest slope
最大斜度		 28°
Number of courses
コース本数		 5
Longest run
最長滑走距離		 2,500m
Skill level
初級・中級・上級		 40% beginner
30% intermediate
30% advanced
Ski / board
スキー・ボード		 40% / 60% [2001]
Ski lifts
リフト本数		 1 lift
Pair 590m
Rope tow 　
Rope tow 　
The lifts have been removed
Night skiing
ナイター設備		 There was no night skiing

Photographs

Taken in October 2022
写真撮影：2022年10月

Nigorigo Onsen Ski Area （濁河温泉スキー場）
Nigorigo Onsen Ski Area （濁河温泉スキー場）
Nigorigo Onsen Ski Area （濁河温泉スキー場）
Nigorigo Onsen Ski Area （濁河温泉スキー場）
Nigorigo Onsen Ski Area （濁河温泉スキー場）
Nigorigo Onsen Ski Area （濁河温泉スキー場）
Nigorigo Onsen Ski Area （濁河温泉スキー場）
Nigorigo Onsen Ski Area （濁河温泉スキー場）
Nigorigo Onsen Ski Area （濁河温泉スキー場）
Nigorigo Onsen Ski Area （濁河温泉スキー場）
Nigorigo Onsen Ski Area （濁河温泉スキー場）
Nigorigo Onsen Ski Area （濁河温泉スキー場）
Nigorigo Onsen Ski Area （濁河温泉スキー場）
Nigorigo Onsen Ski Area （濁河温泉スキー場）
Nigorigo Onsen Ski Area （濁河温泉スキー場）
Nigorigo Onsen Ski Area （濁河温泉スキー場）
Nigorigo Onsen Ski Area （濁河温泉スキー場）
Nigorigo Onsen Ski Area （濁河温泉スキー場）
Nigorigo Onsen Ski Area （濁河温泉スキー場）
Nigorigo Onsen Ski Area （濁河温泉スキー場）
Nigorigo Onsen Ski Area （濁河温泉スキー場）
Nigorigo Onsen Ski Area （濁河温泉スキー場）
Nigorigo Onsen Ski Area （濁河温泉スキー場）
Nigorigo Onsen Ski Area （濁河温泉スキー場）

Further Information

  • Nigorigo Onsen Ski Area was originally known as Kokusetu Nigorigo Ski Area 国設濁河スキー場
    　
  • It was was well-known for offering ungroomed ski runs
    　
  • That 'off-piste' feel was uncommon in Japan at the time
    　
  • At an altitude of over 1700m, there were often good snow conditions
    　
  • The two rope tow lifts were located in the base area
    　
  • The area to the south of the pair lift was developed sometime in the 1980s
    　
  • Nigorigo Onsen was located within the boundaries of Gero City but it was a 63km drive from the central city area
    　
  • It wasn't the easiest place to get to along windy roads
    　
  • The ski area was operated by the city
    　
  • A declining number of visitors and ageing facilities were the reasons given for the ski area closing in 2010
    　
  • The ski lift was cleanly removed
    　
  • An old remaining wooden signpost (just about) shows the name 国設濁河スキー場 (Kokusetu Nigorigo Ski Area)
    　
  • The ski area was located less than 2km from the famous onsen hot spring area of the same name
    　
  • The Nigorigo Cross County Course 濁河温泉クロスカントリーコース is now at the base of the old ski area and open from April to November
    　
  • The facility is one of several in the region north of Mt Ontake known Hida Ontake Kogen Highland Training Area 御嶽濁河高原高地トレーニングエリア
    　
  • Many top athletes use the facilities
    　
  • On a visit in October 2022, and with permission a person on duty, some photos were taken from the base area

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  • Located to the north-east of the central area of Gero City, close to the Gifu-Nagano Prefecture border

  • About 36km from Hida Osaka Station and 32.5km from Takayama Station on the Takayama Honsen line

  • 高山本線　飛騨小坂駅から的36km

This page was created in August 2020
Last updated on 9th January 2023
2020年8月 作成 　2023年1月9日 更新