The Spring Park at Tenjindaira

Tenjindaira Ski Resort has a reputation for some pretty serious backcountry terrain and even in-resort the runs are well known for their powder. Tenjindaira is always up in the top snowfall resorts for the whole of Japan and is always on the list for visiting pros - it gets the nod from Jake Burton too in his interview with Outdoor Japan.

What is not so well-known is that in spring Tenjindaira has a great terrain park. Being one of the highest resorts around it goes longer than other areas and in spring everyone wants to ride park. Happy to oblige, there is a dedicated team of park crew at Tenjin who design some good hits.

The park opened today and with Tenjindaira lasting until Golden Week in a normal year there is almost two months left in this season yet. With a 3.5 meter base up there at the moment this winter season at Tenjin may go on past the holidays in early May if the power- that-be decide.

With rafting season kicking off in April, when the snowmelt makes the rapids in the local Tone River serious whitewater, it is possible to ride park all morning when the snow is at its best, and then jump into a raft in the afternoon for some Grade 4/5 rafting.

More photos of the park on the Tenjin blog -  it gets bigger and better as spring goes on.