Charmant Hiuchi | A ski resort boasting the largest snowfall in Japan and advocating the "non-groomed snow" policy | Niigata

The area around Mt. Hiuchi in Myoko City, Niigata Prefecture, is famous for its heavy snowfall. In particular, Charmant Hiuchi boasts undeniable potential, with snow depths exceeding 500 cm for several days during the peak season. Furthermore, the cold air blowing in from the Sea of ​​Japan creates dry powder, attracting many skiers.

The ski resort operators, aiming to allow visitors to enjoy the abundant snow in the best possible environment, have adopted the keywords "un-groomed" and "natural as it is." They continue their efforts to avoid grooming, and it's surprising that approximately 70% of the area and courses are designated as ungroomed.

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DATA

Snow Data from 2015 to 2019

	Late December	January	February	March
average snowfall	261cm	420cm	500cm	490cm
Average temperature	-3.7℃	-4.3℃	-4.3℃	0℃

Recommended Powder Course

A.Get covered in powder snow on the 1100m long run at "Hiyama"

The first thing you want to try is "Tobiyama," which is a long run of over 1km that is full of technical elements such as changing slopes and standing trees

Run distance	1100m
Slope	up to 26 degrees
Slope direction	north
Shortest access method	Quad Lift No. 1
Lift operating start time for access	8:30
Number of people lining up before the lift starts operating on weekends and holidays	Average of 20 to 50 people

B.The steepest slope at the ski resort, with its dramatic changes in gradient and incredible feeling of weightlessness: "Princess Bowl"

There are just the right amount of trees growing, making it easy to slide around

Run distance	780m
Slope	Maximum 32 degrees/
Slope direction	north
Shortest access method	Quad Lift No. 1
Lift operating start time for access	8:30
Number of people lining up before the lift starts operating on weekends and holidays	About 20 to 50 people

C.The sense of being surrounded by trees is exquisite; highly recommended for beginners in tree running: "Zen"

This course is also recommended for tree running beginners. With a distance of 278m and a gentle slope of up to 21 degrees, it is perfect for beginners

Run distance	278m
Slope	Maximum 21 degrees/
Slope direction	north
Shortest access method	Quad Lift No. 1
Lift operating start time for access	8:30
Number of people lining up before the lift starts operating on weekends and holidays	About 20 to 50 people

There are also plenty of other courses for intermediate and advanced skiers, such as the rugged "Surge" and the densely timbered "Oriya." Create your own unique tracks on a variety of courses

Recommended Topics

If you want to enjoy the deep snow even more, try the "Expert Rental" service, which offers a wide selection of skis to choose from. This system allows you to rent skis from a full lineup suitable for gliding on ungroomed snow, and you can change them at any time. What's more, if you rent 10 times, you'll be entered into a lottery to win a pair of powder skis

If you're leaving from the Tokyo metropolitan area and want to catch the first lift in the morning, we recommend staying the night before at a lodging facility near the ski resort. There are many guesthouses and hotels that exude a local atmosphere, so you can experience the true joy of a ski trip even more. If you want to enjoy sightseeing in the area, head to Marine Dome Nou, where you can find Kaniya Yokocho, famous for its crabs

*The information posted is from December 2020

Re-edited from 2020 BRAVOSKI vol.1