Be active.

Be adventurous.

All in a day trip's distance from Tokyo.

It's time for JAPAN SPORTSCOPE!

It's so warm. It's so relaxing.

Oh, hi guys. Hello, hello.

I didn't see you there. I'm Harry Sugiyama.

It's a winter sport season once again.

Last time, we tried airboading, remember?

We've got something really exciting this time too.

I'm trying a Snow Scoot!

It's a winter sport that combines a bicycle and a snowboard,

which feels like speeding down a snowy mountain on an off-road bike!

You can try out a Snow Scoot at this ski resort, with a variety of courses that even beginners can enjoy.

All your equipment and the Snow Scoot itself is available to rent.

Wow!

This is my Snow Scoot for the day!

It looks like someone fused bicycle handlebars onto two sections of a snowboard.

Unlike a snowboard, the front and back are separate, so you can steer with the handlebars.

You strap your feet on and get ready to slide!

Time to take the cable car up the mountain!

Look at these people! Wow!

Absolutely fantastic!

- Hello!
- I'm Aso Kota.

Aso Kota, will be my sensei today.

He's a freestyle rider who was No. 1 in the biggest competition in Japan three years in a row!

My first question is:

I'm a total beginner!
Will I be able to do this?

No problem!
Once you get the hang of it, it's easy to slide.

- Teach me, sensei!
- Of course!

First, I attach this leash cord.

It keeps your body tethered to your snow scoot so it doesn't keep going and leave you behind.

Let's start with some basics.

Let's go up there and slide straight down.

I'm sliding right away?

If you lose your balance, just put a foot down.

I doubt you'll fall over.

The basic posture when sliding is to bend your knees slightly and look forward with your head up.

Aso shows me the basics.

Here I go!

- Was that right?
- Not bad!

Simply sliding straight gets you used to it!

Next is how to stop, using the board.

Steer the Snow Scoot horizontally to the direction you're moving in, and tilt the edge upward.

Basically turn, and push with your feet all at once.

I put too much weight on my left foot at once, which made me fall.

The trick is to tilt the edge slowly, without rushing.

Tilt the board.

Achievement, unlocked!

Next, we practice turning!

The trick is to turn the handlebars and tilt slightly in the direction you want to go.

You have to lean into the turn, bend your knees, and lower your center of gravity.

First, a left turn.

Look this way!

I put too much weight on my left foot again, and the board went too far.

I'll try not to shift my center of gravity too much as I try a right turn!

Look over here!

Nice!

Once you get a feel for it, it's time to try a series of alternating turns!

Keep your eyes on me!

- That was sharper than I wanted.
- It looked pretty good!

I think I'm getting the hang of it!

With all the basics under my belt, it's time to put in the practice!

We have lift-off!

- Now that we're at the top, let's slide!
- I hope I can make it down!

Nice and smooth!

Let's stop.

Perfect.

This is awesome!

Even on the course, keep your knees bent, head up, and look forward.

The basic posture is key.

You've got it down!

This is great!

So far, I've been able to get by with my basic practice,

but this next slope won't be quite so easy.

We're doing this course?

- I'm sure you'll do fine.
- Are you serious?

With steeper slopes, you make bigger arcing turns to keep your speed down and slide safely.

You're doing great!

OK!

Still having trouble with the left turns.

- I'm pretty good at the right turn, but...
- Very smooth.

You're straightening your knee on the left turn.

How could I forget?

The trick was to bend my knees and lower my center of gravity.

My knee was practically locked straight!

Nice! Very good!

Keep looking forward!

Controlling your turns is all in the knees!

What a shocking turn of events!

Lovely!

- Awesome! Nice! I'm getting the left leg working!
- I think you've got it!

- Now that you've improved, let's try the slaloms!
- Slaloms?! Already?

On this course, I'll have to turn to slide by three points and reach the goal!

If I can do it without falling down once, I'll clear the challenge!

It may look easy, but it's a little difficult for most beginners.

But I'm Harry Sugiyama!

There's no way I can lose!

Alright, people! It's now or never. Let's go!

Off to a brilliant start!

The first point comes up... and I clear it easily!

The next point is a turn to the left!

I'm not turning!

Oh, no! Straight into the snowdrift!

This part is hard!

Nooo! I totally wiped out!

I may have failed this challenge, but it was thrilling and a lot of fun!

I can't wait to try again!

Finally, Aso shows me what a top rider can do!

He hits maximum speeds of over 70 kilometers per hour!

The power of his skills is absolutely incredible!

This Snow Scoot was a lot of fun.
I want a lot of people to try it out.

It's easier to ride a Snow Scoot than to ski or snowboard.

I hope people coming for the first time can give it a try.

So Snow Scoot, so exciting!

Definately worth a try!

And listen. If you know how to ride a bycicle, it's going to be very easy.

A lot easier than, maybe, in my personal opinion, snowboading or skiing.

So people, give it a go, why not?

Riding down the snowy mountain with the control of the handlebars feels great!

Try it for yourself!