Backcountry field "Joetsu/Gunma Edition" that can be accessed from the ski resort. As a prerequisite, we selected a place that was officially approved by the ski resort and had a gate at the entrance to the backcountry (BC). It was composed mainly of comments obtained from professional guides who provide BC guide services in the field.
[Notes]
As introduced here, there are many BC fields that can be accessed from ski resorts. However, using the altitude point you climbed using a ski resort lift as your starting point means suddenly entering a deep mountain. We need to be aware of this fact, and take careful preparation and the utmost caution. Be sure to have the right equipment, knowledge of mountain etiquette and risks, rescue methods and insurance in the event of an emergency, and take care of your own health.
The best way to enjoy skiing in BC more safely is to join a BC guided tour. Before heading to BC, you will be given a lecture on everything you need to know on the slopes, such as how to use gear and how to ski off-piste. First of all, let me tell you that it is a smart choice to entrust the management of the various risks that exist in BC to professionals, and then let's take a look at BC fields that have lift access.
Kagura Ski Resort | Niigata Prefecture
Ideal for BC beginners to make their debut You
can reach the main points in about 60 minutes on a hike
A ski resort where BC-oriented users in the Tokyo metropolitan area gather. There are many guide clubs based here, and it is also known as a friendly spot for BC beginners.
At the top of Kagura Ski Resort, go down the No. 5 Romance Lift (commonly known as Goroma) and you will find the BC Gate. Open until 12:00 pm or 1:30 pm, except in bad weather or bad slope conditions (depending on the season). Submit a climbing report to the gate management patrol and go through the beacon checker to the field.
From here, hike to areas with common names such as Kaguramine, Reflector, Nakaridge, North Slope, and Triangle. The main point is usually a 60 minute hike. From the ridgeline, you can see Mt. Naeba, the highest peak in the area, the Tanigawadake mountain range, Uonuma Sanzan, Myoko and Hakuba areas in the distance, and even the Sea of Japan. Of course you can ski, but just seeing this view is worth the hike.
The BC area has an altitude of 2000m to 1500m, and each slope has a variety of slope configurations such as open slopes and trees. The feature is that you can enjoy fresh snow with a stress-free feeling of slope with an altitude difference of 400 to 500m, such as large slopes and long runs, depending on how you choose the course. There are few steep slopes where avalanches occur frequently, but accidents such as getting lost or falling into a stream occur every year, so it is not easy enough for beginners and intermediate BC who can not read maps to go. I would like to have fun with guide club tours and experienced people.
From either area, you can return to the Kagura or Tashiro ski resorts. At the ski resort, we instruct them to return to the ski slopes by 2:00 pm and make sure to make a phone call to report their descent.
[Comment] STEEP Editorial Department
Muika Snow Resort｜Niigata Prefecture
field where even beginners can enjoy a long run BC on a gentle slope of 1.5km
A backcountry area that spreads out on the slope side of "Muika Snow Resort" in Muikamachi, Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture (a non-controlled mountain course). Located in a heavy snowfall area, you can enjoy heavy snow powder that resets almost every day during the high season.
After getting off the third pair lift and hiking up about 150m (about 15 minutes) to the top of the ski resort (748m), the backcountry field spreads out below. Muika is characterized by a sparse forest zone, almost like the forest line, even though the altitude near the summit is less than 1,000m. It is a mystical world where trees dot the vast slopes.
This hike-up zone is only covered by a snow compactor, so you can walk even on your feet. However, on days with a lot of snow, it's more comfortable to bring climbing skins and snowshoes. Also, since the hiking distance is only 150m, it is also recommended for beginners who want to put on climbing skins and practice climbing before going out to the full-scale backcountry.
The appeal of this backcountry area is that you can run long runs on gentle slopes. From 748m at the top to 400m at the bottom, you can ski for a total length of 1500m. Also, if you slide down, you can come back to the parking lot at the foot of the mountain, so it is an area that can be enjoyed by backcountry beginners and those who want to challenge themselves.
In order to enter this unmanaged application mountain course, it is necessary to apply in advance at the ticket window of Muika Ski Resort and wear an armband. A deposit of 1,000 yen is required for the armband. It will be refunded when the armband is returned.
[Comment] STEEP Editorial Department
Myoko Akakura Tourist Resort | Niigata Prefecture
You
can enjoy the tree run while enjoying the changes in the vegetation.
Myoko is famous for its heavy snowfall. Mt. Myoko, the symbol of the area, consists of the main peak and five outer mountains: Mt. Maeyama, Mt. Mitahara, Mt. Akakura, Mt. Okura, and Mt. Kana. At the foot of the mountain is Myoko Kogen Hot Spring Village, which consists of seven hot spring resorts and ski resorts such as Akakura Kanko Resort, Akakura Onsen, Myoko Suginohara, Ikenotaira Onsen Alpenbrick, and Seki Onsen.
Backcountry skiing is possible on all five somma mountains, but Akakura Kanko Resort has gates. Maeyama is accessed from there. We put on stickers at the end of the 5th lift at the hotel and started climbing, and after climbing about 450m, we reached the summit. From there, the route runs parallel to the ski resort and returns to the ski resort.
If it's a tour, we'll meet at 9:00 and go up on the lift, start climbing at 10:00, and arrive at the ridgeline in the early afternoon. A one-day tour that starts from there and ends around 15:00 is common. Climbing to the summit of Mt. Maeyama has some steep slopes, and if you are not accustomed to kick turns in seal climbing, you will have a hard time. Also, there are places where avalanches have occurred in the past, so it is safe to use a guided tour in the sense that safe line drawing is required.
Since the forest line is not crossed, there are trees even if you go to the ridgeline, but the upper part is sparse forest, and the middle part is skied between moderate intervals of trees. The upper part is birch, and halfway through it changes to a beech forest zone, so you can enjoy a tree run while enjoying the changes in vegetation. If you go up to the ridgeline, you can see the mountains of Hokushinetsu and even the Sea of Japan.
Snow conditions are often quite good in January and February. On the other hand, sometimes I can't go to BC because I get off too much. Choose your destination flexibly from among the vast fields, depending on the daily weather and snow conditions. This is where the need and value of a local guide club that knows the mountain well. In March, the influence of temperature and sunlight increases, and the time during which good snow can be maintained is shorter, so the powder season is generally from mid-January to early March.
Considering the technical difficulty level, which goes up to the ridgeline of the somma, it is aimed at people with BC experience and intermediate or above skiing skills. It can be difficult if you are a complete beginner. However, if you don't have much experience, you can enjoy it halfway without going all the way to the ridge, and there are other options besides the outer rim. This is a field where you can adjust the settings to suit your level.
The appeal of Myoko BC is that it is not so impressive that it looks like the mountains of Hakuba. Myoko gets deeper the further you go. The depth of the mountain itself is the same, and the slopes change greatly, and the changes continue one after another. Everyone has their own tastes, but when you start to understand the charm of BC, you may be able to understand the true goodness of Myoko. In fact, there are quite a few people who come to Myoko after gaining BC experience in Tsugaike in Hakuba or Kagura in Niigata.
[Comment]
Toyokazu Nakano
Infield Official HP https://www.in-field.com/
Introductory article in STEEP https://steep.jp/spot/2765/
Tanigawadake Yoch by Hoshino Resorts | Gunma Prefecture
Mountainous areas with many steep slopes are recommended for
guided tours and skiing with experts
Starting from the 2024-25 season, the name of the ski resort has been changed to ``Tanigawadake Yoch by Hoshino Resort'', which is located in the Tanigawadake area where you can ski BC using the ropeway and lift. From the top of the mountain, there are many steep ridges above the tree line that are prone to avalanches. It is possible to enjoy the adventurous skiing that you can try here, but it is only recommended for experienced skiers who can adapt to snow conditions, weather, and slope changes.
BC users submit a mountain report at the Sanroku Ropeway station building. The point that many BC skiers use is called Nishi Kurosawa. Lift access to the top. From here, go through the gate on the ridge and head to the BC field.
From the top of the ski area to the ridgeline, we slide along the open slopes and forests of the ridge extending from here toward the Ropeway Sanroku Station building, but most of the slopes in this area are very steep. It is also known as an area where avalanches occur frequently, and there are many thrilling slopes exceeding 40 degrees. It is recommended that you refrain from skating in bad weather or skating alone, and join a guided tour or skating with an experienced skier. Skiing is prohibited in other areas that do not pass through the gate. It's a place where avalanches and shipwrecks happen frequently, so it's necessary to follow the rules when skiing.
[Comment] STEEP Editorial Department
