Downhilling and Fujimi Panorama
I've been downhilling only at two downhill "resorts" in Japan - Ski-Jam in Ishikawa-ken and Fujimi Panorama in Nagano. I much much prefer Fujimi Panorama - not just because it's a lot closer to where I live, but it's simply better. Ski-Jam is not as well established and lacks a gondola to port the bikers to the top of the mountain, instead just having pick-up trucks drive you to the summit. Nothing too fun about living on someone else's schedule!
Fujimi Panorama, however, is an absolute delight. The people working there are friendly (of course!), it's free to camp in the parking lot, and the gondola runs steadily from 8:00 (9:00 in autumn) to 5:30 (4:30 in autumn).
Situated in Nagano prefecture, just near the Yamanashi prefecture border, Fujimi Panorama is a ski area in winter, and a downhill area in summer. Brian, Chris and I have been buying season passes to Fujimi for the last few summers; we don't ski, but we definitely make the most out of the downhill season! Downhilling means not uphilling (yay!) - we actually ride the gondola to the top of the mountain, which is what the season pass covers the cost of. We then charge downhill on the course of our choice.
My Bullit mounted on the back of Brian's Pajero:
There are four downhill courses, creatively named A-Course, B-Course, C-Course and D-Course. D is the newest, shortest and easiest, geared toward beginners and kids. C is also touted as a beginner course - there is nothing too technical in C, and you can easily ride it on a cross-country bike.
B-course is fairly technical and is considered an intermediate course. There are some jumps, sharp turns and steep descents - frankly, just tons of fun. I'm a technical but not a fast rider, and therefore the B-course is my absolute favourite!
A-Course is for advanced riders. I've also ridden this course many times, but it's not my favourite. It's not very technical at all, but it is by far the fastest course, and unless you are a fast rider, you are going to get in the way of the truly advanced downhillers. Brian likes the A-Course, but the B-course is the one for me.
To get to Fujimi Panorama, take the Chuo highway to Suwa-Minami exit. After exiting, turn right and go about 3 km. At highway 20, turn left and just follow the signs.
This is a map of the trails at Fujimi - click for a larger image (opens in a new window):
Also, heck out Fujimi Panorama's homepage here http://www.fujimipanorama.com/ (Japanese only).