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

Tenzan Resort

Saga City, Saga Prefecture

天山リゾートスキー場　佐賀県佐賀市

Tenzan Resort was a ski area in Saga City on the island of Kyushu in western Japan. It was Japan’s most westerly ski area and the only ski area in Saga Prefecture. Tenzan Resort was popular with skiers and snowboarders living in the northern regions of the island. Tenzan Resort opened in 1989 with two pair lifts and many snow-making machines. It was last open in 2019, and its closing was announced in January 2022. (This ski area is still listed on SnowJapan but will be removed by the end of 2022).

Tenzan Resort Ski Area（天山リゾートスキー場）
Opened
開設		 1989
Closed
 閉設		 Last open in 2019
Officially closed in January 2022
Base elevation
標高最低		 720m
Top elevation
標高最高		 900m
Vertical
標高差		 180m
Steepest slope
最大斜度		 22°
Number of courses
コース本数		 2
Longest run
最長滑走距離		 1,000m
Skill level
初級・中級・上級		 15% beginner
70% intermediate
15% advanced
Ski / board
スキー・ボード		 30% / 70% [2001]
Ski lifts
リフト本数		 2 lifts
Pair 600m
Pair 980m
The lifts remain in place
Night skiing
ナイター設備		 There was night skiing at Tenzan Resort

Further Information

  • Tenzan Resort opened in December 1989 as the first artificial snow ski area in Saga Prefecture
    　
  • It was located on the northern slopes of Mt Tenzan and about 1 hour from Fukuoka City by car
    　
  • Over the years, it has been known by a few names:
    　
  • In a 1996 guidebook, it was called Tenzan Highland Village 天山ハイランドビレッジ
    　
  • In a 2001 guidebook, it was called Tenzan Highland Saga 天山ハイランド　サガ
    　
  • Other variations include Tenzan Ski Area 天山スキー場 and Tenzan Resort Ski Area 天山リゾートスキー場
    　
  • Tenzan often opened in November (artificial snow) and closed in late March
    　
  • Snow-making machines covered the entire area and were often needed with little natural snowfall in the area
    　
  • The longer pair lift had a mid-station where riders could alight
    　
  • In an effort to attract visitors in the summer months, lavender from Furano was used to create a lavender park in 2004
    　
  • In 2001 a covered beginners run was created, but in 2008 it collapsed under the weight of snow
    　
  • In 2019 it managed to open on 9th December, but due to warm conditions and covid-19, it closed on 5th March
    　
  • That year was the first time that the ski area did not open for night skiing, apparently due to staffing issues
    　

  • It was closed for the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 seasons due to a combination of warm winters and covid-19
    　

  • On 6th January 2022, the company operating the ski area filed for bankruptcy
    　
  • With Tenzan Resort closing, there are now no operating ski areas in Saga Prefecture

Google Earth

Google Street View

Google Maps

Location
所在地

Located on the northern slopes of Mt Tenzan.
Less than 30km to the northwest of central Saga City.
Just over 1 hour by car from Fukuoka City.

This page was created in May 2022
Last updated on 27th August 2022
2022年5月 作成 　2022年8月27日 更新