Maiko Snow Resort is located one minute by car from Shiozawa-Ishiuchi IC on the Kan-etsu Expressway. It is about two hours by car from the Kanto region, making it easily accessible and a very popular ski resort for families and students who are crazy about snow.
However, what is not widely known is that it actually has a vast range of slopes and slope variety that overturns that image, making it a ski resort with the depth to be able to enjoy it all day long. To make the most of the big slopes, we especially recommend going first thing in the morning.
This time, Haglöfs riders Ken Hirose and Ayumi Kitahara visited Maiko to experience its potential.
A large slope that is divided into three areas
Although it is simply called Maiko Snow Resort, the ski resort is so vast that it is divided into three areas: Maiko, Nagamine, and Okuzoe. It has 10 lifts and 26 runs, with the longest run being 6,000m (the Run Run course).
The Maiko area, closest to Shiozawa Ishiuchi IC, has a hotel at the foot of the mountain and offers a wide range of gentle slopes. Families and those making their skiing and snowboarding debut can ski with peace of mind. This area is also home to a snow park.
The Nagamine and Okusoji areas, where gondolas are located, are located in the direction of the Day Trip Ski Center. The Nagamine area has a wide variety of long runs, and there are plenty of ways to enjoy it, such as carving on groomed runs and using the gondola to go from top to bottom. The Okusoji area has a wide variety of ungroomed runs and tree runs.
The reason we especially recommend going first thing in the morning is that there are no tracks on the powder and the smooth groomed runs. You can do long runs on any of the courses, so you can enjoy the benefits of going first thing in the morning when there are fewer people.
First, let's take a look back at the day Hirose and Kitahara enjoyed Maiko through photos and videos.
The best grooming barn welcomes you
On this day, the two enjoyed the early morning powder and mainly enjoyed the groomed runs.
Their favorite was the hard course in the Nagamine area.
He slid down the corduroy slope, which no one had yet slid down, and shouted, "It feels so good!!"
"The groomed courses are well maintained, so you're sure to enjoy carving whenever you come! There are plenty of steep and gentle slopes, and the courses are wide, so it's great fun for snowboarders. It's easy to see why so many young people come to this ski resort. It's also a great place for practice," says Kitahara Ayumi.
Hirose Ken, who was originally passionate about alpine skiing, also highly recommends Maiko's groomed runs.
"The slopes in the Nagamine area, like the Gin Gin Course and the Bum Bum Course further ahead, have varying degrees of slope, which makes them fun. You can do long runs in one go, which is very refreshing. If you want to concentrate on practicing, I recommend the Gui Gui Course in Okusozoe (total length 940m, maximum gradient 23 degrees / average gradient 13 degrees) or the Suisui Course (total length 500m, maximum gradient 20 degrees / average gradient 10 degrees). The gradient is just right, making it the perfect distance for practice."
There are plenty of terrain play spots
Another recommended point for those who like to play with terrain is that there are many walls on the detour courses.
The Okuzoechi Ranran Course and Nagamine Ranran Course are detour courses with many small walls continuing on both sides.
Ayumi Kitahara also spoke about the appeal of the wall.
"The detour course had many walls and points where I could side-hit, so I was able to enjoy free running by making good use of the terrain, jumping and hitting the ball. With walls, groomed areas, and powder, it's a slope that can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of level or age. The charm of Maiko is that you can enjoy it in a different way every time, depending on whether you go first thing in the morning or during the day, the weather, and the course you choose."
There is a well-maintained area for tree runs and ungroomed snow, so you can feel safe.
Another major feature of Maiko is the vastness of its ungroomed snow areas. In the Nagamine and Okusoji areas alone, there is so much powder that you could ski all day without scouring it. The existence of this vast, high-quality powder is known only to local residents and hardcore powder enthusiasts.
Because there are few customers looking for powder snow, there are many locals who take Maiko as a given when it snows. On days with heavy snowfall, many of the skiers who dress "appropriately" are locals.
In the Okusoji area, next to the Okusoji Quad Lift, there is the Haglöfs tree run area, which consists of two sections. The terrain among the trees is full of subtle changes, making it perfect for a pleasant ride. The slope is relatively gentle, so you can return to the slope no matter where you ski, making it perfect for those who want to try tree running. Anyone can ski in this area as long as they apply online in advance and wear a helmet and armband.
Here is the routine of Hirose Ken, who frequently visits Maiko.
"Once I've skied to my satisfaction on the ungroomed snow and tree runs in the Okuzoeji area, I move on to the off-piste zone.
Alternatively, I could skip the Okuzoeji area first thing in the morning and head straight to the off-piste zone in the Nagamine area. If it's Mentsuru, I'll ski right down the middle, then ski a few tracks on the open sections on either side of the run. This is a popular run because you can ski long runs of powder with just a short walk, but if you get there early you can have it all to yourself before the crowds gather. After
that, I'll ski the tree run area in the Okuzoeji area, where there's still powder left. Once I'm done skiing in the powder, I'll ski the groomed runs in the Nagamine area, cool down, and then finish. If there's no powder, I'll ski corduroy runs first thing in the morning. Maiko has well-groomed snow, so I recommend any of it first thing in the morning!"
Kitahara recommends the resort as a place where you can enjoy skiing "anytime" throughout the season.
"The groomed runs are very well maintained, so you can enjoy grooming all year round.
In the high season, you can aim for powder conditions in the ungroomed areas and tree run areas, and there are plenty of walls and terrain, so it's also great fun to visit in the spring when the snow is warm and soft. From the start of the season through the high season and spring, this is a ski resort where you can discover new fun at any time."
Riders who skied this time
Ken Hirose (left)
lives in Gunma Prefecture. He's always on his toes and will go anywhere in search of good snow. On snowy days, he likes to ski in Maiko and Nakazato.
Instagram: @kenny_fjc
Ayumi Kitahara (right)
lives in Nagano Prefecture. She splits her time between Kochi in the summer and Nagano in the winter, spreading the appeal of snowboarding and surfing.
Instagram: @ayumi_kitahara
Video / Yuki Murayama
Instagram = @yukimurayama_film
Information
Maiko Snow Resort
2056-108 Maiko, Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture
Official website: https://www.maiko-resort.com/winter/Official
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