Enjoy STEEP&DEEP Tree Run Powder | Another side of Yuzawa Nakazato, known as a family ski resort

2021/02/06

Do you know the latest Yuzawa Nakazato?

Yuzawa Nakazato Snow Resort , located in Yuzawa Town, Niigata Prefecture, is a wide ski resort with 11 courses and 6 lifts.
The slope of the slope is relatively gentle, and it is recognized as a "family-friendly" ski resort due to the enhancement of attractions for children and the expansion of family-friendly measures such as kids' room service.

Yes, it's certainly not wrong.
However, I would like to tell you that this recognition alone is misleading for this ski resort.
This is a ski resort that will satisfy tree and powder lovers who enjoy skiing to the core.

The steep sloped tree run area is very popular with advanced skiers

Smile Resort, which manages and operates this ski resort area, has focused on a wide and steep tree run area that has not been possible before, apart from the gentle slopes.
On the mountain on the right side of the ski resort, there was an uncultivated zone that could be opened as a tree run area. This place was basically maintained while making use of the natural topography and trees, and was released as a tree run area.

On the map, the area around G and H on the right side.
By opening this place, the area that can be skied is further expanded than before. With the exception of dangerous areas such as under the lift overhead wires, the entire mountain is now skiable. Furthermore, no special fees or applications are required to ski the tree run area. If you have a lift ticket, you can enter.

The STEEP editorial department proves Yuzawa Nakazato this season!

The STEEP editorial department heard that "Nakazato Yuzawa seems to be in great shape right now." In late January, I rode Yuzawa Nakazato to see how tree and powder enthusiasts who pursue sliding to the core can enjoy it. Here are the evaluation points and evidence.

Good Point 1. Variety of tree densities and fun rhythm changes

There are places where the trees are closely spaced and others where they are open, so it is interesting to connect small and medium turns.

Good Point 2. Abundance of slopes that you can choose according to your taste

Abundant enough to choose your favorite slope depending on the slope change and tree spacing

There is a moderate slope that is slippery with some steeps

The point that is nice is that there is a moderate slope

Good Point 4. Stable conditions with constant snowfall

It snows constantly, so you can enjoy buff buff snow and tree runs

Good Point 5. Excellent fun with rich natural terrain with many ups and downs

There are also places where you can enjoy moderate ups and downs. There are countless lines that can be drawn

In the forest, the wind is gentle and the snow falls and piles up.

There are many topographical changes and ups and downs among the trees, and the places where snow accumulates differ depending on how the wind blows. If you aim for a drift pool, you can enjoy a superb one.

The state of the tree run area is easy to understand with this drone image

A tree run area has appeared among many slopes for beginners, and it has changed to a spot where even advanced skiers can enjoy.

Also pay attention to the non-compressed snow course where you can enjoy long runs

Yuzawa Nakazato's innovation doesn't stop at the tree run area.
Improvements were also made to the four steep slope courses that already exist as slopes. These were used as uncompacted snow slopes.

All non-compressed snow courses are concentrated on the mountain on the right side of the ski resort, and there are 5 courses in total. The white area in the image below is uncompacted snow. The inside of the white dotted line other than the area painted in red is the tree run area.

① Dynamic course / Total length 600m, maximum gradient 32°, average 17°
② Giant course / total length 580m, maximum gradient 32°, average 22°
③ Challenge course / total length 370m, maximum gradient 32°, average 25°
④ Extreme Course/Length 200m, Maximum slope 31°, Average 24°
⑤ Training barn/Length 250m, Maximum slope 31°, Average 25°

All-you-can-eat no track powder on the non-compressed snow course

Yuzawa Town in Niigata Prefecture, where Yuzawa Nakazato is located, is known for its heavy snowfall. The non-compacted snow course makes use of the blessings of a large amount of snow, and in the high season, you can eat all-you-can-eat no-track powder in the snow every day. Once you ski on the deep fresh snow on the steep slope, you can do the ultimate run with face shots.

Especially recommended is the Giant Course, which takes one of the No. 2 Romance Lifts to arrive. It is exhilarating to ski on the open slope of the fresh snow that is unobstructed by the single slope that spreads out in front of the ski resort.

Challenge course with non-compressed snow. Here you can also enjoy the powder at a perfect distance

If you step on it, you can enjoy the snow that covers your head as many times as you like

A STEEP & DEEP field known to those in the know

While Yuzawa Nakazato has the front face of a family ski resort, it was a hidden STEEP & DEEP field with a big tree run area on a steep slope and 5 non-compressed snow courses with fresh snow falling behind it.

In fact, it is a well-known fact among locals and enthusiastic skiers that "on days when it snows, Nakazato wins". In fact, a local professional snowboarder was visiting for shooting on this day as well. Conversely, it was a ski resort that only those in the know knew.

Click here for Yuzawa Nakazato on a knee-deep snowfall

Ken Hirose talks about quality

Ken Hirose, who has participated in the freeride ski festival FWQ many times, is currently skating at Yuzawa Nakazato as his home.

Regarding the quality and potential of the non-compacted snow/tree run area:
“Yuzawa Nakazato has steep slopes, but trees grow at moderate intervals, making it ideal for freeriding practice. You can acquire the ability.Personally, I have the most fun when there is a moderate amount of people on the uncompacted snow slope and it becomes uneven.It feels like a free ride.There is a slope and the run distance is long. It's long, so this is also practice.I was skating here in front of FWQ HAKUBA4 Stars."

Ken Hirose Born in Hokkaido, lives in Gunma Prefecture. He is active in the freeride competition scene with the technique cultivated in alpine skiing as a weapon. Based in Numata, he travels to various fields including Mt. Tanigawa

Potential utilized

Looking only at the ski slopes, Yuzawa Nakazato Ski Resort has many gentle slopes. I'm curious about the reason why they are expanding the tree run area just because they have taken measures that are strongly colored by family ski resorts so far.

We interviewed Mr. Yagi, who oversees operations at the ski resort.

“Yuzawa Nakazato is wide on the side, and there are many gentle slopes overall. I noticed that it's a shame that this area isn't being used.As part

of my job, I visit various overseas ski resorts, but I've never seen ski resorts like this.
case of Yuzawa Nakazato Ski Resort, the forest area on the right side of the ski resort is a tree run course for safety management, and the customer's own slope It had the great potential of being able to ski an entire mountain if opened under self-responsibility according to one's level.In addition to that, there is a slope that even core skiers will be satisfied with.

that are famous for backcountry skiing. I want you to come to my house."

Tatsuya Yagi Oversees ski resort operations at Smile Resort, which operates Yuzawa Nakazato, Maiko, and Muika. He himself is a big fan of skiing, and while engaging in management duties, he continues to ski and discovers the possibilities of new ski resorts.

The ability to turn an entire mountain with a single lift changed Yuzawa Nakazato

There are ski resorts known for backcountry skiing such as Kagura in the neighboring area, but Yuzawa Nakazato has a different taste and is perfect for enjoying steep tree runs. Don't miss the fast track powder. You can turn the vast area of the whole mountain with a single lift. This is the charm of Yuzawa Nakazato.

In fact, on the day I visited in late January, among the many family skiers, there were skiers and snowboarders wearing thick skis. The people who were lined up on the lift before the opening of the business were also wearing thick boards.

Yuzawa Nakazato, which has been recognized as a place for beginners, is definitely starting to change. It won't be long before another face of this ski resort is recognized.

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