We are wondering what kind of facility Washigatake Ski Resort is.

Washigatake Ski Resort is located on a mountain called Mt Washigatake at an altitude of 1,672m.
It is located at a very good location, which is only 3 minutes by car from Takasu IC. You can see a beautiful sunset and amazing scenery on the west-facing slope.
As there is a wide slope of 400m wide with all 13 courses, even beginners and families can slide without worries.

I used to go skiing many times during every season at Washigatake freak!
However, I have rarely visited Washigatake Ski Resort area in summer.

Making it a place to play other than winter, Washigatake Alps Adventure is opened on August 2nd.

What is Alps Adventure?

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What is the difference between Alps adventures and other adventure parks in the forest?

Alps Adventure is a naturally attractive born in France.
It was intended to enhance the “autonomy” of “think by yourself and solve by yourself”, which is an educational policy of France.
The equipment used is also very special. It is more difficult than normal because you have to think by yourself.
All are designed under the policy of “playing in nature”, and not only equipment but also lumber and fasteners used in the attractions are made of natural woods.

* Your clothes may get dirty with sap, so please wear clothes which you don’t mind getting dirty and comfortable sports shoes.
* Alps Adventure is reservation only. Please make reservations in advance.

What equipment is used for “think by yourself and solve by yourself”?

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After putting on all safety equipment, let’s go to the forest!

Once you start, you can only rely on yourself! You need to master the equipment by yourself.
Before starting, you need to practice how to use that special equipment.

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The first piece of equipment is a C shape connecter.

This connector is designed to prevent coming off when you pass it through the wire. It acts as a lifeline connecting you with the wire during your experience. It is so revolutionary!
It was quite tricky to pass through, and I got so many questions in my mind at first, but I was able to learn it so fast, thanks to the detailed lecture by my tour guide.

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The second one is a device called a “pulley” with a sheave and a carabiner.

A pulley is used when doing a zip line. After removing the carabiner from the harness, hook it on the wire, and hook the sheave onto the wire. I can practice finding the best position to put my hand in when flying the zip line.

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Tour guide lectures us on rules and how to proceed under the premise of “thinking by yourself”.
After learning the basic usage, all I need to do is try! I am so impressed that it is based on the educational policy of France.
Since you can practice properly before going up, even children can participate without worry!

Let’s get started! Begin your battle within yourself!

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Washigatake Alps Adventure welcomes challengers starting from elementary school students.
They have 2 courses, Easy course (For beginners and medium level) and Champion course (For experts and zipline).

The highest point of the Easy course is around 8m and the Champion course is up to 20m!

As I feel comfortable at high places, I chose the Champion course.
Let’s get started!

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I need to go between trees one by one. Logs that I thought wouldn’t move, it turns. I thought it was easy, they would move in unexpected directions.
The champion course is a full-fledged course that allows you to do muscle training and core training.
It is much tougher than I thought!… I have honestly underestimated this Champion course.

Difficulty increases as you progress. I used my brain to think about the strategy, and I used the strength of my arms instead of stepping on unstable scaffolding, and my brain and my whole body are all working in full power. However, seeing the beautiful scenery from this height that I would not normally see made me feel more enjoyable than fear.

An attraction can also be enjoyed by family

Let me see how Okumura family does in the Easy course.

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Younger brother leading the game seems a little afraid, but he still keeps going step by step. His sister is taking a rest and going little by little. Their mom sometimes hears screaming, but she seems to have the most fun.
With a suspension bridge, ropes, and vertical walls, this intermediate-level course is more difficult than imagined.

Younger brother finishes such a course very quickly. After finishing, he heads to the advanced course immediately.
While saying “Oh crazy! It’s so scary!”, he cleared the advanced course!
When I ask “Did you enjoy it?”, he answers with a cheerful smile, “Yeah !!”. You can feel his energy!
I thought the advanced course is surprisingly hard, but younger brother seemed to be able to finish it.

Stunning view from 20m above the ground! See nature from the same eye level as a tree.

After taking a short break, let us go to the zipline course! Me and Okumura family’s younger brother are taking the challenge!
This course consists of a total of 8 zip lines from the start to the goal. The 8th final line starts from 20m in height!
I am quite frightened after hearing the numbers. Although I am a little scared, it is time to get started!

It is not difficult to finish the first seven ziplines!
I can enjoy seeing the beautiful view while feeling the breeze blowing!

However, the eighth one is really high…
When I stand at the starting point, the tour guide standing down below looks really small like a bean. I am a bit scared, but when I look up…

I can see a blue summer sky and a mountain range in front of me.
It is so stunning! I am so pleased with the scenery I just saw and all fear disappeared.

Hook my pulley at the eighth zipline and step out!

Seeing the wonderful view and feeling the breeze from 20m above the ground, you can feel like a bird.

“I want to utilize the forest in Gujo into a new playground.”

I asked Mr Makoto Imori, the general manager of Washigatake Ski Resort, why this wonderful playground is created.

“First of all, Gujo has a very rich forest, but it is rarely used. I thought it would be great if I could add some attractions to such a forest and use it as a playground. I went to France 6 or 7 years ago for a study tour of a ski resort. I saw the real Alps adventure making me feel even more confident. But actually, I’m a super indoor person.”

I am so surprised that the general manager of a ski resort likes indoors.
He talked about the process of the opening of the Alps adventure after confession.

“Right after finish construction, all are quite hard that I wondered whether children could be able to finish it or not. We invited some children for testing and most of them finished all. I felt more confident after the testing! And planned to make it a new full-scale adventure park.
There are similar facilities in Gifu, but our difficulty is higher. I think zipline 20m above the ground is a selling point. I hope many people can experience it.”

Mr Imori said, “A thrill of enjoying nature” and “A thrill of being protected by a safety belt” may be different.
That’s it! You will understand why after trying it.

In the case of the Alps Adventure, I can feel the thrill of stepping into an unstable place. It might be dangerous if I fall!
So you need to think about how to prevent from falling?
It may be very valuable to be able to learn in nature like that.

A hotel and hot springs are attached to Washigatake Ski Resort, and a campsite is scheduled to open on the slopes in autumn. Car stay space is also being improved! I am really looking forward to it!

Washigatake Alps Adventure is located very close to Bokka-no-sato and Hirugano Picnic Garden, where you can experience a variety of activities.

Please come and experience Washigatake Alps Adventure as one of the new attractions in Gujo!