Niseko Village will for the first time ever host the “World Airlines Ski Championships”, which will take place from March 4 to 8. It’s already the 53rd year for the WASC, but only the second time that the event will be held in Asia.
Typically the host locations alternate between Europe and North America – last year it was held in Colorado, the year before that in Austria, and in 2009 it took place in Sweden.
The last time WASC was held in Asia was in Naeba, Niigata prefecture in 1978. According to organizers, there were some difficulties in communication at the event in Naeba, and the language and cultural barriers were hard to overcome. The 2012 event in Niseko is an opportunity to put Japan and Asia back on the WASC circuit, and to present to the world that Niseko is a well-developed international ski resort.
Over 400 attendees are confirmed to come, and around 300 of them are expected to compete in the races. Over the four days there will be five different types of races – slalom, grand slalom, snowboard, cross-country, and a “fun” race. Competitors are all part of the “Airline Ski Club”, and are employees from over 35 different airlines from around the world, ranging from pilots to engineers to airhostesses. Family and friends of the competitors will be attending as well, cheering on and taking part in the festivities.
Airline Ski Club Members are highly influential and experienced ski travellers. A survey conducted in 2011 of 225 members, reports that the average airline ski club member “has visited over 25 international ski resorts in their lifetime, taken over 4 domestic ski trips per year, and an average of 1 to 2 international ski trips per year.” This survey also concluded that the airline employees who belong to this club “interact with over 106 members of the travelling public on average in their airline job each week,” and that they “are sometimes (50% of those surveyed) or frequently (43% of those surveyed) asked by others for advice on where they should go on a ski holiday.”
WASC is an opportunity for Niseko to showcase itself to over 400 highly influential and experienced ski travellers. The Hilton is still looking for sponsors to help support this event. By becoming a sponsor you will have the opportunity to expose your business/brand in posters, brochures, inserting your flyer in the welcome kit, banner space and advertising space in the welcome book depending on the level of sponsorship.
Also, two out of the five nights during WASC are “free” nights where attendees are encouraged to head into Hirafu Village to explore and support local business. Many of the attendees are planning on taking longer vacations as well, and will be staying in accommodation in Hirafu, as well as exploring local business in the Niseko area before and after the event.
The Hilton Niseko Village is encouraging locals to come to the races and cheer on the competitors during the World Airlines Ski Competition. For more details on race times and events please read the“In the Loop” section in the sixth edition of Powderlife coming out on February 25.
For more information or questions regarding sponsorship please email: [email protected].