IWATE: Appi Kogen Resort
Written on January 18th, 2024 by Eliot Cochrane
Appi Kogen Resort
Usually Overlooked But Never Underrated
Starting in 2024, Appi Kogen Resort is having a great season. While the start of the season and even the start of the mid-season has been tough, Appi Kogen Resort has been able to give skiers the chance to ski in an area where many ski areas are still covered with a light dusting of snow. Having the ability to make their own snow and also have some of the longest trails in Iwate, Appi really takes the top spot as a resort.
Nestled into the Hachimantai mountains splitting Akita Prefecture and Iwate Prefecture, Appi Kogen Resort gets a consistent coating of snow throughout the winter season. This season has been marked by lower than normal snowfall, but that has not stopped Appi from opening as usual year after year around the beginning of December.
Photo: Rossignol skis stacked in front of the gondola lift at Appi Kogen Ski Resort.
Differing From The Competition
Preparation Started In 2023
At the end of the ‘22/’23 season, Appi was having a great season as the spring skiing was in swing. At the same time, many of the regular pass holders and those following Appi on social media got a flyer looking forward to the next year.
Appi Kogen Resorts Season’s Pass Early Bird Discount… the price? 29,000円
It’s clear that a lot of people bought it because the slopes have been packed weekend after weekend. Even with the little snow cover during the early part of the season, people still came to ski. Something must have looked very enticing in their finances to justify such a low season’s pass. But so far, the reception has been utter disbelief that even in a year with little snow, Appi has more than enough snow cover when many other ski areas are struggling to get the slopes looking white.
Quality Over Quantity
Iwate Resorts Rivalry For Business
It’s no secret that Geto Kogen Ski Resort has been making leaps and bounds with its marketing. And it’s clear to see why when their website and social accounts flaunt endless powder with family-friendly options available. But when powder is the only thing going for them as a resort, it leaves other things to be desired and this is where Appi steps in.
Appi has had many great powder days this season in addition to the great work that the trail groomers put into their work. Time and time again, the Appi ski slope has been prepared to great lengths every day built upon a hard base that this warm winter gave us early on. Taking advantage of the opportunity, the snow grooming crew at Appi Kogen Ski Resort have for sure earned their fair share when it comes to recognition for making Appi Kogen Ski Resort an amazing place to ski and snowboard.
Photo: Powder skiing down the main slope at Appi Kogen Ski Resort.
Foreign Influence
More English Than Japanese?
Over the span of almost 10 years, Appi Kogen Ski Resort has changed ownership, changed customer focus, and brought in more foreign-friendly access. Starting with the ownership change to Asia Gate Group, which put Appi Kogen Ski Resort under the umbrella of Kamori Kanko Group, changes started to happen with the lift management situation. It was clear that they were starting to shake up business and not just do the same. Year upon year, which lifts would open and close felt dependent on the higher-ups. IC Tickets were placed all over the mountain and then in subsequent years were partially removed around other parts of the mountain. The direction was all over the place.
Then there was an influx of Asian customers to stay at the hotel. Anytime the hotel buffet was open, there were sure to be rows and rows of foreign customers from other Asian countries. It sure did bring a lot of money to Appi Kogen Ski Resort and they looked to expand outside of just the Asian market. This time they decided to build an even bigger facility!
In late 2022, the Harrow International School Appi Japan was built. It is a massive facility that sits adjacent to the Appi Kogen Country Club and train station at the foot of the mountain looking up to the Appi Kogen Ski Resort. Here, students have plenty of access to the mountains, the teachers and their families are continually skiing, and general interest in the area has grown within the foreign communities in the surrounding prefectures.
To house many of the foreign guests, a new hotel branded by ANA was built next to the previous Appi Grand Hotel and adjacent to the super-quad at the bottom of the mountain. The ANA InterContinental Appi Kogen Resort exhibits some luxury standards that aren’t commonly seen in the region, being a 5-star luxury resort.
All of this culminates with the Appi Kogen Ski Resort providing great access for those visiting regardless of their language or country of origin.
Photo: Early morning Appi Kogen Ski Resort.
What’s Next For Appi?
Currently, the Harrow International School Appi Japan is looking to increase its student body size and will be continually growing year upon year. Specifically, they are looking for local Iwate students to give their international students a more localized experience and to expand the capabilities of students from within Iwate. This will be good to attract more foreign business and tourism to the resort and the area.
Appi Kogen Ski Resort has also expanded some facilities like its snow park to include bigger jumps, rails, and boxes easily accessible from the bottom super-quad. But it’s not clear if they are going to host events related to freestyle or not.
Currently, it looks like Appi Kogen Ski Resort is most interested in bringing in foreign visitors. First and foremost, it is a business. The Japanese ski and snowboard population has been declining for years even amongst some of the best skiing conditions in the world. Hopefully, their incredible season pass value can entice the local population to come and enjoy the wonderful slopes that they have to offer.
Photo: Parking lot after a day of powder.
Access
Appi Kogen Ski Resort can easily be accessed by plane, train, and car. The nearest shinkansen stop is at the Morioka Station in Iwate Prefecture. Airplane - The nearest airport access is Hanamaki Airport by a regularly scheduled bus for 2,300円 (1,150円 for elementary children, free for preschoolers). Reaching Appi Kogen Ski Resort in 1 hour and 30 minutes provides easy access right from the airport. Bus - From Morioka Station, there is a local bus from Morioka Station that runs directly to Appi Kogen Ski Resort. Costing 1,150円 and 580円 for children, it provides easy access for those using the shinkansen to travel around Japan. Car - For those using a car, Appi Kogen Ski Resort is easily accessed from the Tohoku Highway by two stops. Ashiro IC (安代IC) and Matsuohachimantai (松尾八幡平IC) are both situated 20 ~ 30 minutes from Appi Kogen Ski Resort.
For a more in-depth look for planning, please visit Appi Kogen Access.
