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

Suzuran Kogen

Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture

鈴蘭高原スキー場　岐阜県高山市

Suzuran Kogen was a ski area in what used to be Asahi Village, now part of Takayama City in the northern region of Gifu Prefecture. There were two main sections connected at the top - the eastern-facing slopes of the main Chuo area with fine views of Mt Ontake and Mt Norikura, and some northwestern facing runs in the Kitayama area. At one time, nine ski lifts were operating. Suzuran Kogen closed in 2006 after a dramatic decrease in visitors, and all the ski lifts and facilities have now been removed.

Opened
開設		 1969
Closed
 閉設		 2006
Base elevation
標高最低		 1,160m
Top elevation
標高最高		 1,475m
Vertical
標高差		 315m
Steepest slope
最大斜度		 38°
Number of courses
コース本数		 11
Longest run
最長滑走距離		 3,000m
Skill level
初級・中級・上級		 40% beginner
30% intermediate
30% advanced
Ski / board
スキー・ボード		 60% / 40% [2001]
Ski lifts
リフト本数		 9 lifts
Quad 1,100m
Triple 1,100m
Pair 800m
Pair 800m
Pair 800m
Pair 300m
Pair 800m
Pair 800m
Single 400m
Some base buildings remained until 2019, but all facilities have now been removed
Night skiing
ナイター設備		 There was night skiing at Suzuran Kogen (though not in later years of operation)

Photographs

Taken in June 2023
写真撮影：2023年6月

Suzuran Kogen Ski Area（鈴蘭高原スキー場）
Suzuran Kogen Ski Area（鈴蘭高原スキー場）
Suzuran Kogen Ski Area（鈴蘭高原スキー場）
Suzuran Kogen Ski Area（鈴蘭高原スキー場）
Suzuran Kogen Ski Area（鈴蘭高原スキー場）
Suzuran Kogen Ski Area（鈴蘭高原スキー場）
Suzuran Kogen Ski Area（鈴蘭高原スキー場）
Suzuran Kogen Ski Area（鈴蘭高原スキー場）
Suzuran Kogen Ski Area（鈴蘭高原スキー場）
Suzuran Kogen Ski Area（鈴蘭高原スキー場）
Suzuran Kogen Ski Area（鈴蘭高原スキー場）
Suzuran Kogen Ski Area（鈴蘭高原スキー場）
Suzuran Kogen Ski Area（鈴蘭高原スキー場）
Suzuran Kogen Ski Area（鈴蘭高原スキー場）
Suzuran Kogen Ski Area（鈴蘭高原スキー場）
Suzuran Kogen Ski Area（鈴蘭高原スキー場）
Suzuran Kogen Ski Area（鈴蘭高原スキー場）
Suzuran Kogen Ski Area（鈴蘭高原スキー場）
Suzuran Kogen Ski Area（鈴蘭高原スキー場）
Suzuran Kogen Ski Area（鈴蘭高原スキー場）
Suzuran Kogen Ski Area（鈴蘭高原スキー場）
Suzuran Kogen Ski Area（鈴蘭高原スキー場）
Suzuran Kogen Ski Area（鈴蘭高原スキー場）
Suzuran Kogen Ski Area（鈴蘭高原スキー場）

Further Information

  • The location of Suzuran Kogen is now part of Takayama City, but until 2005, it was part of Asahi Village 朝日村
    　
  • The name of the ski area was either written all in kanji  鈴蘭高原スキー場  or hiragana and kanji  すずらん高原 スキー場
    　
  • This ski area originally opened with several single lifts (two of which were removed as the ski area developed)
    　
  • The base (and central area) was called Chuo Gelande  中央ゲレンデ
    　
  • These eastern-facing slopes of the main runs afforded fine views of, amongst others, Mt Ontake to the right and Mt Norikura to the left
    　
  • Later on, the northwestern-facing Kitayama Gelande  北山ゲレンデ opened, featuring generally steeper and narrow slopes
    　
  • The Champion Course in the Kitayama section had a steepest gradient of 38 degrees and was a Ski Association of Japan official course
    　
  • National Winter Games and other ski competitions were held in the Kitayama area
    　
  • The two areas were connected at the top
    　
  • It appears that the Kitayama section was quite often closed due to insufficient snow, and in later years, it was completely closed and disappeared from official course maps
    　
  • Artificial snow-making machines were used to help with consistency, but this ski area usually enjoyed relatively long seasons, aiming to be open from late November through mid-Apri (or even into May)
    　
  • At one time, nine ski lifts were operating at Suzuran Kogen
    　
  • At its most popular, about 230,000 people visited the ski area in a season
    　
  • By 2005, that number was down to around 35,000 people
    　
  • The ski area closed at the end of the 2005-2006 season
    　
  • Most of the ski lifts were removed within a few years of the ski areas closure
    　
  • The base buildings remained a while longer, but by 2019 all lifts and facilities had been removed
    　
  • There were two ski jumps by the side of the ski area, though they were operated by the village and not actually part of the ski area
    　
  • A short 298m gondola lift called Suzuran Group Gondola すずらんグループゴンドラ (also seen called Asahi-mura Ropeway) serviced the ski jumps
    　
  • This 'pulse gondola'-like lift was not open to the general public and only operated when the ski jumps were being used
    　
  • The ski jump facilities were also removed in 2019
    　
  • Check the Google Earth images below to compare 2017 with 2019
    　
  • Motocross bike events have been held at this location in the years since the ski area closed
    　
  • The nearby Suzuran Resort Country Club (golf course)  鈴蘭高原カントリークラブ  is still operating

Google Earth

2017

2019

Chuo

2019

Kitayama

Google Street View

Google Maps

 

Location
所在地

Located to the south east of central Takayama City via Route 361 and Prefecture Road 435.
About 36.5km from the Takayama IC exit of the Chubu Jukan Expressway.
About 22.5km from Hida Osaka Station and 32.5km from Takayama Station on the Takayama Honsen line.
中部縦貫自動車道　高山ICから的36.5km
高山本線　飛騨小坂駅から的22.5km　　高山駅から的32.5km

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 Gifu Prefecture
All currently operating ski areas in Nagano Prefecture

This page was created in June 2020
Last updated on 6th June 2023
2020年6月 作成 　2023年6月6日 更新