MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Imagine snowboarding or skiing when it's warm enough to wear shorts outside. If you have been to the all-seasons snow park in Hiroshima, the dream has been a reality.
Snova Hiroshima Boarders Arena is an artificial mountain slope set inside a temperature-controlled building the size of an airplane hangar. The ski slope is about 100- yards long with a five-foot high jump and eight-foot long grind pipe.
Indoor ski parks might be strange to those who have skied in the states but not for residents of Japan.
"There are many indoor ski parks in Japan, but the closest one from Hiroshima is in Fukuoka," said Snova Manager Ai Nakamichi.
The arena is geared for beginners and experts alike. The slope is split in two, one side being just for carving down the artificial mountain. The other is designed for boarders brave enough to try their luck on the big jump or to work on their skills by grinding on the two pipes placed side by side at the very beginning of the slope.
The park offers ski, snowboard and ski blade rentals, as well as clothing and boots which maybe a bit small for those of bigger stature. Professional lessons for inexperienced boarders are also available.
If someone were to get tired shredding up the synthetic snow, the arena provides a break room that overlooks the slope where visitors can watch their friends hit the jump and can enjoy the warm air and the vending machines available.
Since the slope is on the small side only a couple of riders can go down at a time, which presents a perfect opportunity for those beginner boarders.
"It was the first time I went snowboarding so it was comforting to know there would not be too many people in front of me I could mow down if I lost control," admitted Cpl. Roberto Torres, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni combat cameraman with the Combat Visual Information Center. "The snow park gave me a chance to work on the basics and also see the experienced boarders do some awesome tricks coming off the jump."
The Snova Hiroshima Boarders Arena is located on Ujina Island near the Hiroshima port about one hour from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. Snova is open weekdays from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. on the weekends. The arena charges 1,500 yen for one hour, 2,500 yen for four hours and 3,800 yen for an all-day pass.