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 powder snow first thing in the morning, focusing on the groomed runs.
Their favorite was the icy, gritty 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 point that makes this course appealing to those who enjoy playing with terrain is the abundance of walls along the detours.
The Okusoechi Run Run Course and the Nagamine Run Run Course are detours, with many small walls running along 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
"After skiing to my heart's content on the ungroomed and tree runs in the Okusoechi area, I head to the off-piste zone.
Alternatively, instead of going to the Okusoechi area first thing in the morning, I head straight to the off-piste zone in the Nagamine area. If the surface is pristine, I'll make a big run down the middle, then ski a few untouched runs on the open sides of the course. This is a popular course because you can ski long runs of powder after just a short walk, but if you go early, you can have the powder all to yourself before the crowds arrive.
After that, I ski the tree run area in the Okusoechi area where there's still powder. Once I've finished skiing the powder, I ski the groomed runs in the Nagamine area to cool down and call it a day. If there's no powder, I'll head straight to Corduroy first thing in the morning. Maiko has well-groomed snow, so I recommend going anywhere first thing in the morning!"
Kitahara recommends the resort as a place where you can enjoy skiing "anytime" throughout the season
"The groomed slopes are so beautifully maintained that you can enjoy grooming all year round.
During the peak season, you can aim for powder conditions in the ungroomed areas and tree run areas, and there are plenty of walls and terrains, so it's also very enjoyable to visit in the spring when it's warm and the snow is soft. No matter when you visit, from the start of the season through the peak season and into spring, you can discover new ways to have fun."
Riders who skied this time
Ken Hirose (left)
lives in Gunma Prefecture. He's always on the move, going wherever he can in search of good snow. He especially likes to ski at Maiko and Nakazato when it snows.
Instagram:@kenny_fjc
Ayumi Kitahara (right)
lives in Nagano Prefecture. She lives a dual-location lifestyle, spending summers in Kochi and winters in Nagano, while promoting 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 social media:Instagram|Facebook|X|YouTube