Asosan Ski Area Closed
Official name 阿蘇山スキー場
Kumamoto
Open 1968–2003
Asosan Ski Area sat on the grassy slopes between Kusasenri and the Nakadake crater of Mount Aso. The former town of Aso opened it in 1968 as Kyushu's first artificial ski area, using snow machines to make up for thin natural snow on a short slope served by one single chairlift. Chronic snow shortages and competition from artificial ski areas in neighbouring prefectures cut its visitors. Private operators took over in 1992 but pulled out in 2002, and the area closed in 2003. Its buildings were removed around 2011; the site now holds a sightseeing heliport and grazing land, and the old slope is ridden on e-MTB tours.
History of Asosan Ski Area
- Opened
- 1968
- Closed
- 2003
- Operators
- Former Aso Town (1968-), Run under contract by a private company (1992-2002)
- Why it closed
- Chronic lack of snow and competition from artificial-snow ski areas in neighbouring prefectures hurt the business; the private contractor pulled out in 2002 and it closed in 2003.
- The site today
- Facilities were removed around 2011. The site is now a sightseeing heliport (on the former car park) and grazing land, and the old slope is used for e-MTB tours.