#Japan #Skiing #Hakuba #Hometown Tax #Sato Lift

New Beginnings in Skiing with Hometown Tax Donations

As the new year begins, enthusiasts of skiing and snowboarding will find that it's the perfect time to make use of their hometown tax donation allocations, especially with the innovative lift ticket acquisition service, "Sato Lift." This service transforms the way we access ski experiences, allowing skiers and snowboarders to focus on quality performance and enjoyment on the slopes.

The Timing for Skiing is Now

January marks the reset of tax donation limits, and with February peeking around the corner, it's the best time to utilize this service efficiently. Traditionally, ski lift ticket prices have been on the rise, and "Sato Lift" offers an alternative solution: access to lift tickets at a minimal personal cost of just 2,000 yen per year, contingent upon conditions, by utilizing hometown tax donations precisely at this time.

Shifting focus from conventional views of "to go or not to go," we now emphasize on "how to choose and how to keep skiing." Creating a smarter skiing experience is what we aim to provide for the dedicated snow sport enthusiasts.

Understanding "Sato Lift"

Previously, the process of donating included waiting for ticket delivery due to postal delays. However, with "Sato Lift," skiers can enjoy immediate benefits. Here’s how the service operates:

• - Instant Ticket Acquisition and On-the-Spot Use: Users can donate right at the ski resort and instantly receive lift tickets for immediate use.
• - Quick and Easy Mobile Procedure: The entire procedure can be completed in about three minutes using a smartphone, eliminating the wait in ticket purchase lines and allowing for a direct path to the slopes. This ensures that precious morning time is not wasted.
• - Recharge Options: For those with reloadable lift cards like Hakuba Card or Nozawa Onsen White Card, they can easily recharge these cards and head straight to the lifts.
• - Win-Win-Win Framework: By maintaining fair pricing practices, we ensure that ski resorts sell tickets at the standard price without passing any discounts onto them. This arrangement creates a sustainable ecosystem benefiting users, ski resorts, and the local community alike.

Unveiling the Deep Value of "Sato Lift"

The support for "Sato Lift" isn’t merely about its pricing advantages. It creates a streamlined experience for skiers, contributing to local economic development while fostering a thriving skiing culture. Here’s what makes it stand out:

• - Avoiding lines at the resorts.
• - Conservation of valuable time every morning.
• - Simple procedures complete in just three minutes using a smartphone.
• - Supporting fair ticket pricing at ski resorts.
• - Contributing tax revenue back to local regions for developmental projects.

This service guarantees that skiing experiences, economic support for localities, and cultural engagements coexist synergistically.

Promoting Local Economies and Ski Culture

The donations made through "Sato Lift" are directed back into communities such as Hakuba, Otari, and Nozawa Onsen, thus promoting regional growth and support. The model established serves as more than just a cost-saving scheme—it actively aids in the community surrounding ski resorts.

Additionally, we are engaged in specific initiatives, including support for:

• - Hakuba Ski Club
• - Nozawa Onsen Ski Club

These endeavors help cultivate local talent for the future and establish a sustainable skiing culture in the region.

The ultimate goals of the "Sato Lift" initiative involve increasing participation in skiing, fostering skill development in the next generation, and ensuring this cycle benefits the community sustainably.

Voices from the Users

"I was about to give up after missing out at the end of last year, but this option that allows usage in January is incredibly helpful—especially for those skiing often without waiting in lines!" (40s, Skier)

"I wanted to make a meaningful choice for my ski trip, and it’s refreshing to see a structured and successful system, rather than just cheap tickets." (20s, Snowboarder)

"Supporting our next generation is increasingly challenging for local communities today. However, through the activities of 'Sato Lift,' users can score great deals on lift tickets while boosting revenue for ski resorts and increasing tax income for our village. This allowed us to focus more on supporting the next generation efficiently." (40s, Nozawa Onsen Ski Club Director)

Where to Use the Service (2025-26 Season)

• - Hakuba Happo-one
• - Aiburu Hakuba Goryu & Hakuba 47
• - Hakuba Iwatake
• - Hakuba Sanosaka
• - Tsugaike Kogen
• - Hakuba Norikura Onsen & Hakuba Cortina
• - Nozawa Onsen

*Services will expand to additional areas in the future.

Service Overview

• - Service Name: Sato Lift
• - Content: Lift ticket acquisition through hometown tax donations
• - Available Areas: Hakuba Village / Otari Village / Nozawa Onsen Village
• - Usage Method: Complete the process in about three minutes on your smartphone, ready for immediate use.
• - Notes: A personal cost of 2,000 yen (conditions apply)