Rokko Mountain - Rokkosan Snow Resort
We also find it one of the most confusing to understand! The opening times/dates and charges are somewhat complicated. Please check before you go!
Hyogo Prefecture is located in the Kansai region of western Japan. It stretches the width of the country and has a coastline both on the Sea of Japan to the north and on the Seto Inland Sea to the south. Most of the ski and snowboard resorts in Hyogo Prefecture are located in the northern region of the Prefecture. Rokko Snow Park is obviously one exception to that!
A winter sport or winter activity is a recreational activity or sport which is played during cold weather months. Most such sports are variations of skiing, ice skating and sledding. Traditionally such sports were only played in cold areas during winter, but artificial snow and artificial ice allow more flexibility. Artificial ice can be used to provide ice rinks for ice skating, ice hockey and bandy in a milder climate.
Common individual sports include cross-country skiing, Alpine skiing, snowboarding, ski jumping, speed skating, figure skating, luge, skeleton, bobsleigh and snowmobiling. Common team sports include ice hockey, curling and bandy. Based on the number of participants, ice hockey is the world's most popular winter sport, followed by bandy. Winter sports often have their own multi-sport tournaments, such as the Winter Olympic Games.
Snow and ice during the wintertime has led to other means of transportation, such as sledges, skis and skates. This also led to different pastimes and sports being developed in the winter season as compared to other times of the year. Naturally, winter sports are more popular in countries with longer winter seasons.
While most winter sports are played outside, ice hockey, speed skating and to some extent bandy have moved indoors starting in the mid-20th century. Indoor ice rinks with artificial ice allow ice skating and hockey to be played in hot climates.
Ski & Snowboard Australia is the governing body for the sport of Alpine Skiing, Nordic skiing, Freestyle skiing and Snowboarding in Australia.