On the Nagano side, where bicycle access became available starting in July, I headed to the Norikura Snowfield. I left home at 4:45 and arrived at the Sanbondaki parking lot at 6:30. After a quick prep, I was off by 6:40. This was my first Norikura outing on an electric-assist mamachari (Japanese city bike). And wow ? bikes with kickstands make preparation so smooth! And that front basket ? just toss in the T4 boots, put the backpack on top, and done. Honestly, I might not be able to ride a bike without a front basket anymore... I love it that much. Mamachari really are marvels of design ? I’m impressed.

I arrived at the snowfield in under 50 minutes, without breaking a sweat. Not a soul in sight on the main mogul lane. Looked like I was the first one up. The bumps were skiable from the very first run ? likely thanks to the high morning temps. I set up a tripod and camera. Then it was climb, ski, climb, ski ? with no one around to worry about. After about five runs, a few more people showed up. I moved over to a side lane and skied another five or so solo. Around ten runs total, I think. Fully satisfied. I was also able to film some movements I’d wanted to check.

I stayed for about an hour and a half, I suppose? Packed up and zipped down, and got back to the parking lot by 9:30. So, three hours round trip. Not bad. On the way back from Norikura Kogen, I made a few stops and got home at 12:30. So in total, it was an eight-hour outing. This time was moguls, but if I’d brought an XPLORE setup and gone for smoother skiing, that would’ve added maybe two more hours ? a ten-hour round trip, perhaps? Got home by 3:00 p.m. ? yeah, it’s a solid full-day course.

Norikura doesn’t really offer places to shelter if there’s a sudden rain or thunderstorm, so checking the forecast beforehand is always a tough call. And if you’re going by mamachari, you also have to think about the brakes not working well in the rain... So I guess the best approach is to head up early on a sure-sunny morning and be back by noon. That might be the pattern.

I’ll be checking the weather again and planning another trip soon. If it’s moguls again next time, maybe I’ll bring a flat-soled ski. Alpine gear every now and then isn’t a bad idea.

? July 7, 2025