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

Tsurugisan

Tsurugi Town, Tokushima Prefecture

剣山スキー場　徳島県つるぎ町

Tsurugisan was a ski area in what used to be Ichiu Village, now part of Tsurugi Town, in Tokushima Prefecture on the western island of Shikoku. It opened in 1976 and effectively closed in 2007. However, since then, Tsurugisan has actually remained open in a fashion. The lift does not operate, it is not staffed, and there are no facilities, but people can enjoy the snow there for free.

Opened
開設		 1976
Closed
 閉設		 2007
See below for details
Base elevation
標高最低		 1360m
Top elevation
標高最高		 1480m
Vertical
標高差		 120m
Steepest slope
最大斜度		 Unconfirmed
Number of courses
コース本数		 5
Longest run
最長滑走距離		 700m
Skill level
初級・中級・上級		 30% beginner
30% intermediate
40% advanced
[1990s guidebook]
Ski / board
スキー・ボード		 Unconfirmed
Ski lifts
リフト本数		 1 lift
Pair 380m
Night skiing
ナイター設備		 There was no night skiing at Tsurugisan

Further Information

  • Tsurugisan Ski Area was the highest ski area on Shikoku island 四国 in western Japan
    　
  • It was one of only two ski areas in Tokushima Prefecture (the other being Ikawa Skijo Kainayama)
    　
  • The location used to be part of Ichiu Village 一宇村
    　
  • Ichiu Village became part of Tsurugi Town つるぎ町 in March 2005
    　
  • Tsurugisan was on the northeastern slopes of the 1,713m Tonomaru 塔丸 and northwest of Mt Tsurugi 剣山
    　
  • The ski area opened in 1976 with one ski lift
    　
  • The town website mentions the ski area having a 'renewal' in 1994, though details are unconfirmed
    　
  • Aerial photographs (see above) indicate that the initial lift from early years was replaced by the pair lift that remains now, in a slightly different positioning
    　
  • A halfpipe opened for the 1998-1999 season
    　
  • Snow-making machines were also used on some runs
    　
  • At its most popular in 1995, about 34,000 people used the ski area
    　
  • Since then, the number of visitors declined
    　
  • Eventually, the Tsurugisan effectively closed in 2007
    　
  • Due to its location within a quasi-national park, if the ski area was abolished, it would be necessary to restore the mountain forest to its original state
    　
  • Perhaps due to that reason, since closing, part of the old ski area slope is still 'open' in that people have used it for skiing and snowboarding and playing in the snow
    　
  • However, the lift has not operated, it is not staffed, the snow is not groomed, there are no ski area facilities, and it is free to use
    　
  • Perhaps Tsurugisan can be thought of as a ski area in name only

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Location
所在地

By the side of Route 438, about 8km off Route 238.
About 38km from Mima IC on the Tokushima Expressway.
徳島自動車道　美馬ICから38km

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 Tokushima Prefecture

This page was created in June 2022
Last updated on 29th September 2023
2022年6月 作成　2023年9月29日 更新