Close to the Kanetsu Expressway IC, local skiers and snowboarders who know Maiko are skiing here.

Minamiuonuma City in Niigata Prefecture is a snow area that boasts excellent access, about two hours from the city center on the Kan'etsu Expressway. Among these, Maiko Snow Resort is by far the most conveniently located. It's just one minute from the Shiozawa Ishiuchi IC, and the ski resort is just a stone's throw away. Why is it said that "Maiko is the place to be for THE DAY?" Let's find out by listening to the stories of two people who know Maiko well

Great access and the perfect slope for powder runs

Maiko Snow Resort is a ski resort popular with students and families, with tour buses frequenting it due to its easy access. The lower part of the ski resort has many gentle slopes, making it easy for beginners. However, this area is also known for its abundant snowfall, and during the peak season, heavy snow falls almost every night, and it is not uncommon for snow to pile up waist-deep by morning

Maiko in particular has an abundance of ungroomed runs, making it the perfect ski resort for powder runs, so much so that advanced skiers and experienced locals say, "Maiko is the place for THE DAY." We were shown around by Mr. Saiki, principal of Maiko Snow School, who knows all about the charms of this ski resort, and Mr. Koshigoe of Snowcase, a local company that handles snow park construction

Saiki: "Maiko Snow Resort has a base that welcomes customers of all genres. It is a ski resort that will satisfy all customers, from children and beginner skiers and snowboarders to seniors and experts

The ski resort advertises itself as "perfect for beginners," but it also has slopes that will impress even advanced skiers, so it's no problem if you come as a group and there are differences in level. So you can continue to enjoy it even as you improve or get older. I'm from the local area, but I've been skiing at Maiko since I was a child when I was a member of the local ski club, and even when I started working at another ski resort, I would take advantage of my days off to come back to Maiko and ski (laughs)

Now in my 40s, I've returned to my hometown and work at Maiko Snow Resort, and the fact that there are so many ways to enjoy it, regardless of generation or age, is what makes Maiko Snow Resort so appealing."

Koshigoe: "The appeal of Maiko Snow Resort cannot be summed up in a few words, but first and foremost is the scenery. When you go up the gondola, you'll see a spectacular panoramic view of the snow-capped mountains, centered around Mt. Makihata, one of the 100 famous mountains in Japan. It's precisely because Maiko is at such a high altitude that you can get such a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. The day after it snows, the trees turn completely white, so you can enjoy an outstanding view that is reminiscent of a snowy country. There's also a cafe just outside the gondola summit station, so I recommend relaxing there."

Maiko is a large ski resort divided into three areas

The ski resort is divided into three areas: the Maiko area, the Nagamine area, and the Okuzoeji area. The Maiko area has a ski-in/ski-out hotel and many gentle slopes, making it popular with beginners to intermediate skiers. There is also a snow park here. The Nagamine area offers long runs by gondola. The Okuzoeji area has areas with ungroomed snow and steep slopes, making it suitable for intermediate to advanced skiers. Each area has its own unique characteristics, so it could also be described as a combination of three ski resorts

There are two entrances; the Nagamine and Okusoji areas start from the gondola station, while the Maiko area entrance is on the hotel side on the right side of the map

One of the attractions of Maiko is that the gondola takes you straight up to an altitude of about 850m, giving you immediate access to the Okusoji area, which has a wealth of ungroomed runs, and allowing you to enjoy the finest snow

Maiko has a lot to offer, but which places are particularly recommended for powder runs, and what are the best routines? We asked the two of them

Saiki: "The Okusoji area is located deep in the mountains, so it is relatively sparsely exposed to the sun, and a lot of good snow remains. Niigata snow is often seen as heavy and has a negative image, but the snow in Okusoji is light, and there are days when it falls, just like in the Tohoku region

In addition, the courses in the Okusoji area face in various directions, so the snow quality is diverse. With so many courses, there is always powder remaining somewhere even after a long time

The highlight of the Okusoji area is the Haglöfs tree run area. This tree run area has a relatively gentle slope, making it perfect for beginners. There are three gates: Gate 1, Gate 2, and Gate 3. Gate 1 is the steepest, while Gate 3 is gentler. It's a different kind of fun from open powder runs, and is perfect for practicing before heading out into the backcountry

On snowy days, many people head to Gungun Course, located at the very back of the Okusoji area. This is a single, flat slope, so it's very refreshing to ski down

However, the one I would actually recommend first thing in the morning is the off-piste zone in the Nagamine area. This is a course that is slightly lower in elevation than the Gungun course, so it's a course you'll want to ski first. There's less competition, so it's a good idea to take your time and get a first track

Many locals choose the off-piste zone rather than the fiercely competitive, fast-paced courses. Or you can just go for the FWT Zone in the hotel area to the right of the ski resort. The hotel area is frequented by families, so there's less competition on the ungroomed slopes. So, even here you can enjoy the powder at your own pace. My usual pattern is to then settle in and then head out to try some tree runs."

The Okusoji area has good snow and many ungroomed runs. While these are standard runs for early morning skiing, Saiki's routine seems to be to avoid them and aim for the first track without competing. The Haglöfs tree run area is a run that requires prior registration at the ticket counter or at the ITADAKI gondola summit cafe

The Top to Bottom skiing, which takes you from the summit of Okusoji Mountain to the base in one go, is very satisfying

Koshigoe: "The day after it snows, when it's a beautifully clear powder day, is called THE DAY, and we ski in the best conditions. On snowy days at Maiko Snow Resort, we generally leave the powder on the steep slopes without stepping on them. Because the snow piles up on a groomed course, the 'powder surface' is also beautiful. It's great to speed up there and make long turns. That's what Maiko is to me

Another feature is that once you've skied down the entire course, you can enjoy a tree run as a dessert. The trees are spaced just right, so you can enjoy cruising along the tree run while slowly avoiding them. The trees are well-maintained, so there are many lines to choose from, and no matter how much you ski, you'll never run out of things to enjoy. I think that if it wasn't designed by someone who loves skiing, it wouldn't be such an interesting course! (laughs) All the staff who run the Maiko ski resort love skiing, too

"My recommended routine is:
1) For those who arrive first thing in the morning
, take the gondola → the fast-paced course at Okusoji → the thrilling course → off-piste zone → tree run → coffee at ITADAKI.
who are late,
take the gondola to Nagamine 1, then Nagamine 2 → off-piste zone → the bumpy, fast-paced course → tree run → Nagamine free run → coffee at ITADAKI
. I've fully anticipated the lateness scenario as well (lol).

Another thing I'd like to recommend is the free run that runs from the summit of Okuzoeji to Nagamine No. 2 boarding point. Your legs will be sore! You'll ski down at high speeds, carving first thing in the morning, nibbling on powder in places, and hitting the walls of the detour course. It's a run that embodies the true joy of freeriding. It's not just during the peak season, but in the spring the walls grow and it's really nice. It's fun from the time the resort opens until it closes at the end of March!

Finally, please watch the video of the two people who know Maiko inside and out enjoying their day

Skiing, snowboarding, different ages, different tastes, different ways of skiing, all of which are different, all satisfy Maiko Snow Resort. With so many ways to enjoy powder, freeriding, parks, carving, and more, you'll never get bored even if you spend the whole day skiing. Anyone who visits even once will realize just how deep Maiko is

■Information

Maiko Snow Resort
2056-108 Maiko, Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture, 949-6423
Official website: https://www.maiko-resort.com/
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