The 2nd Sori-1 JAPAN Hokkaido Wood Sled Championship is coming to Sapporo Teine Ski Resort on March 22, 2026. Held as part of the "Winter Sports Festival" at the resort's Teine Snow Land special venue, the event crowns Hokkaido's top snow luge (wood sled) rider.
The championship is organized by the Japan Wood Sled Association, a group led primarily by former sled racing athletes working to revive and promote sled sports in Japan. The event is co-hosted by the Winter Sports Festival Executive Committee, with support from the Sapporo Luge Federation.
What Is Snow Luge (Wood Sled)?
Snow luge on a wooden sled is a snow sport widely enjoyed in Europe and North America. While still relatively unfamiliar in Japan, experience events and competitions have been popping up at ski resorts across the country in recent years.
Key features of the sport include:
- Anyone can start sliding comfortably from day one
- Slalom-style steering is possible, similar to skiing or snowboarding
- Participants range from children to adults
This accessibility makes it an appealing new winter activity even for those new to snow sports.
Two Competition Divisions
Expert Division
A technical slalom race where participants navigate around flags, with final rankings determined by the combined time of two runs. Only participants who have practiced at the experience session and been certified as capable of slalom riding are eligible to compete.
Note: If entries are high, rankings may be based on a single run.
Challenge Division
A straight-speed race with four participants starting simultaneously. Winners advance through a tournament bracket, making it exciting to watch as well as compete in.
Both divisions are open to men and women in a mixed format, with around 70 participants expected.
Event Schedule
The event runs over two days at the Teine Snow Land special venue (approximately 70 meters in length) located at Sapporo Teine Ski Resort (593-3 Teine Honmachi, Teine-ku, Sapporo).
March 21 (Saturday)
- Free experience session at the wood sled area
- Practice runs and event briefing for prospective competitors
March 22 (Sunday)
- 10:00 AM – Registration opens (first-come, first-served)
- 2:00 PM – Rules explanation
- 2:05 PM – Competition begins
- After races – Award ceremony
Participation Details
- Entry fee: Free (participation gift included)
- How to enter: Register at the venue on March 22 from 10:00 AM, first-come, first-served. For the Expert Division, participants must first complete practice runs at the experience session and be certified as capable of slalom riding.
Prizes
Participation gift (all entrants)
- One Coca-Cola product (via Coke ON ticket)
- One hot milk (redeemable at the food truck)
Awards
Expert Division – 1st place:
- Sapporo Teine Ski Resort 1-day lift ticket
- One case of Coca-Cola
Challenge Division – 1st place:
- Sapporo Teine Ski Resort 1-day lift ticket
- One case of Coca-Cola
Challenge Division – 2nd place:
- Sapporo Teine Ski Resort 5-hour lift ticket
- One case of Coca-Cola
Challenge Division – 3rd place:
- Sapporo Teine Ski Resort 5-hour lift ticket
- One case of Coca-Cola
Sled Sports and the Future
Snow luge is gaining attention as an approachable gateway into competitive sled sports. The Japan Wood Sled Association holds experience events and competitions throughout the country to share the joy of sled riding with children and the general public, with the hope of discovering future sled sport athletes.
This championship, making the most of Hokkaido's snow and ski resort environment, represents the growing possibilities of a new winter sports culture in Japan.
Event name: 2nd Sori-1 JAPAN Hokkaido Wood Sled Championship
Venue: Sapporo Teine Ski Resort, Teine Snow Land special venue (approx. 70 m course)
Address: 593-3 Teine Honmachi, Teine-ku, Sapporo
Date: March 22, 2026, from 2:00 PM (March 21 is experience session only)
Entry fee: Free
