Recommended tree run! Ski Resort Report ｜ Maiko Snow Resort 　

2021/01/14

Photo: Diceman

"Okuzoeji Tree Run Area" is now open!

Maiko Snow Resort has been attracting the attention of powder enthusiasts in recent years. We continue to make powder-like proposals such as opening the off-piste zone, holding QUALIFIER 1 as a prelude to the freeride world tour, lessons for enjoying freeride safely, and the establishment of a freeride academy.

The highlight of the 2020-21 heavy snow season is the "Okuzoeji Tree Run Area." It is the release of the tree run area that was previously prohibited from skiing.

The tree run course in the Okusoeji area is seen from above. The symbolic mountain in the background is Mt. Iishi

In the Okuzoeji area, the Gungun (01) course and the Zokuzoku (02) course are for advanced players. The shaded area in green is the tree area.

Skiing in the tree run area requires prior application and an armband.

To ski in the tree run area, you need to apply in advance from Maiko's website. After that, on the day of the event, you can receive a special armband at the information desk at the day-trip ski center or at her CAFE at the TOP “ITADAKI” in front of the gondola mountaintop station, and wear the armband on your arm and enjoy skiing.

The positional relationship between the tree run area and the application reception place is like this

Access to the tree run area (right forest) by Okuzoeji Quad

Armband rental and skiing fees are free! However, it is a promise to return the armband to the ticket office after the end. If it is not returned, it will be considered a missing person and will be searched. It will be difficult if this happens, so be sure not to forget it.

January 2, 2021 Departure and immediately to the Okusoeji area

This visit was on January 2nd.
The slopes are already in peak season with plenty of snowfall. Visibility was poor due to the heavy snowfall, but it was crowded with many skiers just like New Year's. The temperature is minus 8 degrees, there is no wind, and the snow that falls quietly lifts my spirits.
At the day trip ski center information, listen to simple regulations and receive an armband. Since the pre-registration has been completed, the time between this time is about 1 minute and it is smooth.

The left armband should be worn, fastened with a large Velcro. Wearing a helmet is compulsory

Head straight to the Okusoeji area. Start from the slope powder of Maiko's most slippery course. As you can see, the slope is steep (maximum 32 degrees), and the snow is not compacted. Joetsu-like powder with a little resistance flutters big.

Waist-deep powder on the 2nd of the New Year! was

To the Okuzoeji Tree Run Area

Next, head to the newly opened Okuzoeji Tree Run area. There is a gate on the right hand side of the landing area for the quad, and there is a signboard with instructions for skiing in Japanese and English.

Detailed instructions are provided at the gate.

Along with the instructions to wear armbands and helmets, there is a description that there is a pink ribbon to guide you so as not to get lost in the forest. If you call an ambulance team, it also states that you will be responsible for the cost. Rescue costs are quite high, so the harsh reality makes me feel tense.

60 cm dry powder! Good visibility thanks to the tree

What a new snow of about 60 cm on this day!

It is also a dry snow quality that skis often run. Perhaps because the temperature is low, I was a little moved by the light feeling that I don't think is Joetsu. Thanks to the trees, the contrast is clear and the visibility is better than on the slopes. It's easy to slide and this is good. There are only a few people skating and you can ski anywhere. It's already past 11:00 and there are enough no tracks. Great powder ride!

Even if it's short, you can turn it round and round with a quad, so it's highly satisfying

If you slip through the trees at a moderate speed, you will be out of the forest and onto the slopes in no time. The skiing distance itself is a little short, but it is convenient and efficient because you can spin many times with a quad lift, and it is rhythmic and fun. It looks like a good place for powder beginners to practice powder riding intensively. However, there are many places where the distance between the trees is narrow, so it is difficult to get the ability as usual. Keep your eye on the fall line and watch your speed.

This is how it looks in the forest, the point of the photo is enough space between trees

The Maiko Tree Run Course is a moderately open deciduous forest, as shown in the photo. The length of the course is about 400m. The slope is not that steep, but there are gaps, swells, and dents here and there, so be careful. It's important to enjoy yourself at a speed you can control to avoid crashing into trees.

Another tree run area

There is another tree run area in Maiko across the Gui Gui course, but since this is a little shorter, the run line enters a little later, giving the impression that it is a little-known spot.

Stop by the popular PeakPerformace off-piste zone

PeakPerformace off-piste course is conditionally open

On the way back from Okuzoeji, I stopped by the PeakPerformace off-piste zone.

Here you can enjoy the deep snow on a long run. There is a condition that the course will not be opened until the conditions are right, so once it opens, a line will form in no time, making it such a popular course. To get to the start of the zone, you have to walk a few minutes from the course on the Novori road. On this day, it was after 14:00, so there were many lines, but there were no tracks left on the side of the course. The course with its steepness and distance is really pleasant. Because of the low altitude, the snow is heavier than the tree run course, but this long run is irresistible. Speeding up the side of the course and sliding down at once, the maiko powder run is over.

Enjoy lunch with Tree Run

It is important to have a firm stomach in order to ski a lot. As a bonus, I will also introduce recommended lunch spots in Maiko.

Recommended for lunch is the pizza of "Sky Dome Restaurant". 1500 yen for 2 people with enough volume! Also, the BIG Burger (1,800 yen with a drink) and the Poutine (fries with gravy sauce, 550 yen) at the "Whistler Cafe" in the day trip center are also popular, so be sure to try them.

It is a collaboration cafe with Whistler Resort in Canada.

summary

Maiko Tree Run.
I was very satisfied! Unlike Kagura and Tenjindaira, there aren't many powder skiers, so I have the impression that there are many points where you can enjoy powder for your scale. Although the altitude of the summit is 920m, it was a heavy snowfall area, and the amount of snowfall that was too much and the feeling of light snow unique to the low temperature was impressive. Also, check the snow forecast and enjoy Maiko's The Day.