Minakami Ski Trekking Festival - Mar 20

Do you have plans for the public holiday for the Spring Equinox (Wednesday 20th March)? If not head out into the mountains of Snow Country for the 13th Minakami Ski Trekking Festival.

It is being held at Minakami Kogen Resort, which boasts a cross country ski circuit that loops around the summer golf courses. It is a great day out and if the weather cooperates it is an amazing place to spend a spring day. The blue of the skies with the forests and the mountain backdrop make for a great change to the grey of the city.

It is a very beginner friendly event and there are also activities for the kids.

Winter fun in Minakami

Minakami has a fantastic reputation as an outdoor adventure paradise. Much of its fame comes from the abundance of activities in summer. It is sometimes overlooked as a great winter destination too. Whether you are looking for fun on the slopes, a gondola ride to the top of the mountains, some extreme backcountry riding or a peaceful snowshoe tour, there is plenty to keep everyone in the family occupied.

There are lots of ski resorts in the area too. In fact, did you know that Minakmi boasts 10 resorts in all? And though you may not have heard of all of them, each of them is worth a visit.

Tenjindaira has already opened but the other resorts won't be far behind. Below are the planned opening dates for the other 9 Minakami ski resorts.

Dec 15th - Houdaigi
Dec 20th - Norn
Dec 21st - White Valley, and Okutone
Dec 22nd - Minakami Kogen, Fujiwara, Oana, and Akasawa
Depending on snow - Kanosawa

There is also plenty of great accommodation in Minakami if you are looking for a memorable stay.

Airboarding in Minakami

There seems to be a constant quest to find new, exhilarating ways to hurl yourself down a mountain. If you have tried all the others and still find yourself thirsting after more thrills then airboarding could be for you.

Inflatable body boards with runners underneath that give you the ability to steer become your new best friend as you hurtle down the slopes of one of Minakami's resorts under the watchful eye of your Kappa Club guide.

Things start of easily as you try some gentle slopes, learning how to get control of your airboard. As your confidence and ability pick up so do the speed and steepness. Airboarding is real white knuckle stuff - you find yourself clinging on as you try to coax your board to bend to your will. All too often it seems to have a mind of its own but you will have a big grin fixed to your face the entire time.

This may not be a sport for life but a get a group together and you will have an awesome day out inches off the snow.

Ski Resort Marketing Ideas

Japan has masses of ski resorts and Snow Country has its fair share. No matter which area you find yourself in, you are likely to have a choice of several different places to ski. Each resort has its own particular draws but many are keen to set themselves apart from the crowd and pull your business. Most years you can look around and find a few interesting marketing ideas...

Itsukamachi Ski Resort and NASPA Ski Garden are ski only resorts so anyone terrified of snowboarders will certainly enjoy these.

Okutone Snow Park offer free lift tickets to children 12 and under.

Probably our favorite though is from Minakami Kogen.

Their "Around 20" campaign offers free lift tickets to ladies aged 18-24. Whether this brings in lots of business or not is known to the resort but they get full points for trying.