Location: Lotte Arai Resort
The Myoko area has mountains over 2,000 meters above sea level, such as Mt. Myoko and Mt. Hiuchi. The sea breeze blowing from the Sea of Japan hits the mountains and develops into clouds, bringing a large amount of snow. During the season, more than 3m of snow accumulates, and it is not uncommon for snow to fall to more than 1m in one night. The snow that falls in this mountain area contains a lot of water vapor, so unlike the snow in Hokkaido and other high-altitude areas, the snow is large and firm. It is said that there is a feeling of stepping on it and the board runs well. Let's take a look at the ski resorts and their courses in the Myoko area that are highly rated for their powder skiing.
Akakura Tourist Resort
Enjoy a long powder ride and never get bored
Akakura Kanko Hotel, which has a history of 80 years with a red roof standing halfway up the slopes, is the symbol of this resort. Despite being in a convenient location just eight minutes from the Myoko Kogen IC, the altitude at the top is as high as 1,885m. Easy access to the backcountry area from the end of the upper lift. Since you can take a long course using a gondola or a lift, you will never get tired of skiing.
Powder specialty course of Akakura Kanko Resort
・Hotel A course
Maximum slope: 23 degrees Average: 18 degrees / Distance: 900m / Slope orientation: North
An uncompacted slope running along the Hotel No. 5 Quad at the top of the slopes. Many people head here after it snows. With a maximum slope of 23 degrees and a course length of 900, it is relatively wide and easy to attack even in powder. There is a gate (with avalanche transceiver checker) to the BC area at the top of the course.
・Champion A Course
Maximum slope: 32 degrees Average: 20 degrees / Distance: 1200m / Slope orientation: Northeast
An uncompacted snow course with the highest slope (32 degrees) in Akakan. The course length is 1200m and it is long and slippery. Powder after snowfall, usually tough bumpy slope. It's not uncommon for snow to fill up the bumps even overnight here, and if you do, you can expect a superb powder run.
・Women's national sports course
Maximum slope: 22 degrees Average: 12 degrees / Distance: 1700m / Slope direction: East
A long course of 1,700m with steep slopes at the top and medium slopes that are easy to attack on the whole. Powder is often left without grooming the upper part. After the snowfall is the target.
◆ Official HP / https://akr-ski.com/
charmant flint
65% non-compressed snow based on heavy
Charmant Hiuchi is known as a heavy snow ski resort. The average snow depth in the high season exceeds 5m. Moreover, it is unbearable because a large amount of dry powder accumulates. The ski resort is also preparing an environment that can provide this excessively abundant snow in the best form. The keywords are "non-compressed snow principle" and "nature as it is". Efforts have been made not to compact the snow, and about 65% of the area is open to the public as non-compacted snow areas and courses.
In addition, 80% of the course is suitable for intermediate and advanced skiers, and this is also a rare technical structure, and it is a ski resort that fully meets the expectations of skiers and snowboarders who want to pursue skiing. Fat ski rental is also available for those who say, "It was powder when I came," or "I want to try fat skiing." Charmant Hiuchi has an environment where you can enjoy powder to the fullest.
Charmant Hiuchi Powder Specialty Course
・Hiyama
Maximum slope: 26 degrees Average: - degrees / Distance: 1100m / Slope orientation: North
If you go to Charmant, the first thing you want to aim for is "Hiyama". It is one of the longest non-stop powder courses in Japan with 1100m of technical slopes such as slope changes and standing trees. It's a technical slope, but the feeling of satisfaction when you conquer it is the best! !
·Princess
Maximum slope: 32 degrees Average: -degree / Distance: 780m / Slope direction: North
If Charmant's unique dry powder piles up deep, the face becomes irresistible with a large slope change and a feeling of floating. A powder course that will satisfy you both in terms of distance and slope.
・Zen
Maximum slope: 21 degrees Average: - degrees / Distance: 278m / Slope orientation: North
A mellow sparse forest and open barn located on the east side of High Live. The trees are well spaced, so it's easy to slip, and it's perfect for beginners of tree running to get used to tree riding.
◆ Official HP / https://charmant-hiuchi.jp/
Seki Onsen Ski Resort
A special home with irresistible heavy snow and local atmosphere
Seki Onsen is a famous ski resort among powder-loving skiers and snowboarders. The Myoko area is the area where the cold air from the Sea of Japan hits snow first.
The course design is simple with only two lifts, but it is full of undulations, and most of the snow is not compacted. Another reason for the popularity of Seki Onsen is that you can easily enter the side country from the slopes. There is also a cat operation "HIKARIGAOKA CAT TOURS" to enjoy the powder of Seki Onsen by "GRAFIX".
The operation of Seki Onsen is characterized and attractive by its handmade hospitality. Information such as weather forecasts, powder predictions, slope conditions, etc. are updated in a friendly and detailed manner by the staff on the homepage and SNS, and there is an indescribable "home feeling". It is popular among powder enthusiasts as a little-known spot that you don't want to tell people about, and that has a homey feel to it.
Powder specialty course of Seki Onsen
・Third lift non-compressed snow course
Maximum slope: 45 degrees Average: 30 degrees / Distance: 1000m / Slope direction: West
The third lift non-compacted snow course faces west, and the powder snow in the morning sun is exceptional. The north slope is adjacent to the west-facing slope, so you can enjoy powder snow in the afternoon. Because it is a very popular course, it is inevitable to concentrate on skiing in the powder morning after a snowfall.
・Lerch course right side
Maximum slope: 17 degrees Average: 15 degrees
According to the staff of Seki Onsen, "If you want to enjoy the powder slowly like a gentleman, the right side of the Lerch course is recommended." Current riders judge every day, and depending on the situation, the course conditions are a combination of compacted and uncompacted snow. Part of the course also has parks.
・Skyline course
Maximum slope: 12 degrees Average: 10 degrees
A gentle slope that is easy for beginners and the elderly. It's groomed every day, but on snowy days it becomes a loose powder field, perfect for trying fat skis and practicing telemarks.
＋PLUS HIKARIGAHARA CAT TOURS
The Hikarigahara Cat Tour produced by GRAFIX is a tour where you can access various points with a snowmobile and enjoy backcountry riding with a guide. 5-7 runs per day. You can ski about 2000m with a height difference on the untracked slope created by nature, and the guide will guide you to an exciting powder ride that suits your needs while choosing the snow quality and slope.
◆Official HP／ http://www.sekionsen.com/index.php
Myoko Suginohara Ski Resort
A long run of 8.5 km with a nice view
Among the Myoko area, Myoko Suginohara Ski Resort has a reputation for having fun on a long run while admiring the beautiful scenery. Lake Nojiri and Oku-Shinano can be seen below the Suginohara gondola, which connects to the summit of the gondola at an altitude of about 1,500m in 3km. With an altitude difference of 1,124m, the skiing distance is about 8.5km, which is one of the longest in Japan. Myoko Suginohara, which is popular for enjoying high-speed long turns, not only satisfies carving enthusiasts, but is also highly evaluated by powder freaks.
When the high-quality snow brought about by the top area at an altitude of 1,855m accumulates on the two 800m-long powder courses, the Super Giant Course and the Super Mogul Course, it's powder heaven. Also, the snow park with many items is very powerful.
Myoko Suginohara Ski Resort Recommended Course
・Super mogul course
Maximum slope: 32 degrees Average: 16 degrees / Distance: 1320m / Slope direction: East
Wide course, non-compacted snow course popular with powder users. It has both slope and length, and after snowfall, you can carve a fast track like the one in the photo. The refreshing feeling after skiing is irresistible.
・Downhill course
Maximum slope: 30 degrees Average: 17 degrees / Distance: 310m / Slope direction: East
A course with Shinanoki, a view point of Myoko Suginohara Ski Resort. After the snowfall, there is plenty of fresh snow left in the powder, so it is also a powder course that powder beginners will want to try.
・Super Giant Course
Maximum slope: 38 degrees Average: 17 degrees / Distance: 950m / Slope orientation: Southeast
The course is rich in terrain and is popular with free-runners. Enjoy skiing in a large arc with a maximum gradient of 38 degrees. The scenery offers a panoramic view of Lake Nojiri and the mountains of northern Shinshu.
＋PLUS DESCENTE Fast Track
An annual event held by Prince Snow Resort, which operates Rinse Hotel. "DESCENTE Fast Track" where you can enjoy "No Track & Grooming Burn" where no one has skied yet. The stage of Myoko Suginohara Ski Resort is the course along the Suginohara Gondola (Downhill Course, Giant Course, Shirakaba Course). Only 4 days, so don't miss it! Tickets can be purchased on the morning of the day without reservation.
Time: 7:30-8:30 *Gondola opens at 7:30
Price: Junior high school students and above ¥1,500 / SEIBU PRINCE CLUB members ¥1,200 / Myoko Suginohara season ticket holders ¥1,200
Date: January 15, 2023 (Sun), 29th (Sun), February 12th (Sun), 26th (Sun)
Details: https://www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/first_track/myoko.html
◆ Official HP / https://www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/myoko/winter/
Lotte Arai Resort
Unbelievable scale and deep powder
Lotte Arai Resort boasts an unbelievable amount of snowfall of 18m per year. The top of the slope is 1,280m above sea level, the longest run distance is 7.0km, and it has a unique layout with depth. The scale is so vast that four Tokyo Disneylands can fit inside.
Among them, there are 4 non-compressed snow courses and 10 free riding zones (avalanche terrain) with varied terrain such as steep slopes, tree runs, and long courses. Heaven. One of the reasons for its popularity is that the powder reset rate is one of the best in Japan due to the amount of snow. Arai's powder is famous overseas, and Mike Douglas, a legendary skier called Mr. Freeride, has evaluated Arai as "the dream spot of JAPOW, which is one of the three fingers in Japan." .
Lotte Arai Resort Powder Course
・Funaishi
Maximum slope: 37.5 degrees Average: 22.4 degrees / Distance: 850m / Slope orientation: North
Funashi has a high opening rate and you can turn it with one main lift, so you can enjoy it efficiently. There are various drop points, so you can enjoy it according to your level and needs, and the old Gazex is also in the ski area, so you can easily aim for the slopes.
The fact that almost all areas from the course entrance to the exit can be seen from the lift is also a big point that makes it easy for beginners to accept.
・Large slope
Maximum slope: 39.8 degrees Average: 15.9 degrees / Distance: 1520m / Slope orientation: Northeast
Speaking of ARAI, it is a large slope! The call is also high. You can access the summit by hiking for about 30 minutes from the Zendana lift. A freeriding zone that stretches as far as the eye can see, with a superb view overlooking the Sea of Japan and a scale that you wouldn't believe is inside a ski resort in Japan. The secret of its popularity is that it can be easily accessed with acupuncture points.
・ Viper
Maximum slope: 43 degrees Average: -degrees / Distance: -m / Slope orientation: All directions
The name "Mamushigaeshi" is derived from the steep terrain where a viper could turn over. It is a hotspot unique to Arai, which has a wide variety of undulations and topography. From the unbelievably steep slope, you can enjoy the terrain like a large natural pipe, tree run, etc. at the same time.
◆ Official HP / https://www.lottehotel.com/arai-resort/ja/ski-webzine.html