Thank you so much for coming to the Niseko Koropokkur Bike Park event the other day. We had great weather on both days, and it turned out to be an amazing event thanks to all of you who joined us. We also want to thank everyone who supported us from afar—even if you couldn’t make it to the event. Our team is truly grateful.

Now, let’s give you a little recap of what went down!

Day 1: Dig & Ride & BBQ

On the first day, we kicked things off with “Dig & Ride & BBQ.” In the morning, everyone got to experience what it’s like to build mountain bike trails. After that, we enjoyed a hot dog BBQ lunch, and in the afternoon, we all hit the new trail that we just created! This trail has a bit more elevation than our existing ones, making it perfect for intermediate riders. It will be an ideal warm-up before tackling the flow trails at Grand Hirafu or Twin Peaks. There are even some optional jump lines along the way—just make sure to practice in the skills area first before giving them a try. As for the trail’s official opening date, we’re aiming for later this month or early next month. We’ll let you know as soon as it’s confirmed!

We had participants of all ages, from kids just starting with pedal bikes to women trying mountain biking for the first time, families, and local riders. After a quick demo on how to use the tools and the steps involved, everyone got to work. In just an hour and a half, we cleared out grass and roots, leveled the soil, and packed it down to create about 20 meters of the trail.

In the afternoon, we split into kids’ and adults’ groups and took turns riding the trail. It was fantastic to hear everyone’s feedback—“That was so much fun!” or “That was a little scary!”—and it’s great to know what you think. We’ll use your feedback to keep building trails that are both safe and challenging.

Day 2: Lesson & Ride & Burger

The theme for the second day was “Lesson & Ride & Burger.” We started with a one-hour pinpoint lesson for those who had never taken one before. We went over the basics on flat ground, moved into the forest trails, and then gradually worked our way up to the skills area, including trying out the pump track and jump areas.

Lunch was a treat with YY Burgers. These hearty burgers, made with local ingredients, were offered at a special price for participants. You could also grab some of La Neige’s delicious baked goods again on this day. After lunch, we had a surprise demonstration from Niseko’s chainsaw artist, Mr. Kinoshita! He skillfully carved an owl using a heavy chainsaw, adding intricate details with ease. We plan to display this owl, along with several other wooden sculptures, in the park in the future—so stay tuned!