Although an overwhelming number of skiers and snowboarders are out of season after the May holidays, Gassan Ski Resort in Yamagata Prefecture still has 370 cm of snow in mid-May.
It is surprising that you can enjoy skiing and snowboarding until summer. We would like to ask STEEP readers who have enjoyed the Mt. Gassan backcountry to their fullest this spring to report on the appeal of Mt. Gassan, where there is still plenty to ski.
Gassan is packed with all the charm of spring skiing
Speaking of the seasonal word for spring in the snowy mountain world, isn't it ``Gassan''? When you hear that Gassan Ski Resort is opening, there must be many people who think, ``Wow, spring has arrived!'' I think the Gassan backcountry in spring is packed with all the charm of the spring season.
Isn't this the charm of the backcountry in spring?
The first attraction is that you can enjoy a leisurely hike in relatively stable weather.The
second attraction is that you can ski on a variety of snow types that are different from the mid-winter season.The
third attraction is that you can take your time. Well, the range of action is wide.
May has already passed, and many of you may be wrapping up your plans, but you can enjoy the charm of the surprisingly long spring/summer season by visiting Mt. Gassan, the starting point of Guide KinTouN's annual "Spring Tohoku Snow Caravan." I would like to share this with you through my backcountry tour report.
Gassan backcountry with a fun otherworldly feel
Gassan Ski Resort is famous as a ski resort that will open in April. A vast backcountry area stretches out beyond the lift.
If you look towards Mt. Gassan from Yamagata City at this time of year, you will see that only the large Mt. Gassan is covered in pure white snow. Looking at this, you can kind of understand why ancient people felt a mystical atmosphere in these mountains and made them objects of mountain worship. There is a fine shrine at the top of the mountain, but at this time of year it's still covered in snow, and the god doesn't come up until July 1st every year.
Gassan is located about an hour and a half by car from Yamagata City. Due to the heavy snowfall in winter, it is only possible to access Shizu Onsen by car, which is just before accessing Mt. Gassan, but with the opening of the Mt. Gassan ski resort, snow removal has begun, and you can finally access the ski resort at the foot of Mt. Gassan. You will be able to do it.
The appeal of skiing Mt. Gassan is probably the slightly otherworldly feel of the terrain, which is surrounded by the ridgelines of Mt. Gassan and Mt. Ubagatake.
When you drop it from the ridgeline to the bottom, what you see is the earth surrounded by a deep blue sky and white ridgelines.
No matter how many times I stand in this place, I am overwhelmed by the quietness and the unique feeling of another world. This year's first day is a Friday, a weekday, so there aren't many people, so it's fun to feel like you're in another world.
First run of spring. Will white slip? Will the brown color be slippery?
Day 1, first run of spring! It had been a while since my last backcountry run, so I felt a little nervous standing at the drop point of the sloped open burn for the first time in a while. I was a little worried that unlike in the middle of winter, there wasn't enough powder to gently catch the steep slopes I jumped into (lol).
Speaking of spring, the white and brown spot pattern on the slope is probably the standard image. Two or three days before we started our Mt. Gassan tour, a fairly heavy fresh snow had fallen, and since then it has repeatedly loosened and froze. Areas that are hard to get sunlight are still white! The bottom is a mixture of white and brown. Now, is this board going to slip?
When our guide, Mr. Minegishi, skied in front of us, we saw a board running on a white spot! As you get lower in altitude, it's a bit like stopping snow in the white areas, but overall it looks good!
The first movers quickly become as small as peas.
I think gliding down such large slopes is one of the charms of spring backcountry skiing. And will the board run on the white and brown spotted spring snow?
The answer to that question was, "I ran both!" on the first day.
Gassan east face with beautiful shiny film
In the backcountry in spring, the temperature difference is huge.
Although it gets quite cold in the morning due to radiation cooling, during the tour it gets quite hot due to the double punch of sunlight from above and reflection from the snow. It’s even more scorching hot without wind! Still, this heat isn't all bad. When the sun turns into shadow or a cold wind starts to blow, a film of ice forms on the surface, and when it reflects the sun, it becomes beautiful.
It was scorching hot during the day on this second day as well.
What's more, in the case of Mt. Gassan, when you are moving below the ridgeline, the wind is blocked by the ridgeline and there is almost no wind. After one slide, we hiked towards the top of the mountain, even though the heat sapping our strength. Today is Saturday, so there are many climbers and the route to the summit is a great success. Although it was hot, we finally reached the top of the mountain, encouraged by the sight of other climbers.
At the summit of Mt. Gassan, only the roof of the shrine, which would be magnificent in the summer, is poking out of the snow. During the mid-winter period, it is completely filled. The fact that there is such a magnificent shrine in such a difficult location shows how strong the mountain worship was in this area.
Now, we will take a lunch break at the top of the mountain. During the long journey, we took care of the blisters on our feet and enjoyed the lunch box prepared at the hotel. A lunch box with a slightly strong seasoning for mountain climbing will permeate your body. How delicious! Salt intake after sweating is important.
First run of the afternoon. This was the most memorable slope on this tour. Perhaps because the sun's rays from the morning have worn off and it's a little shaded, the surface of the slope is crisp, and when you drop, you feel an indescribable sensation through your boards and boots.
The sound when the edge bites into the crisp surface is unique, and the scenery in front of you is beautiful, allowing you to enjoy gliding with all your five senses.
This feeling is unique to spring! That's what I think with all my heart.
It's a relaxing feeling that can only be found in spring , and it's good to put on new gear.
When talking about the benefits of backcountry travel in the spring season, the ``relaxing feeling that is unique to spring'' is essential. During the midwinter season, there is a lot of snowfall and the temperature is low, so it is necessary to minimize the amount of time you are not moving and plan your activities to keep your body cool. You will also need to be quick to change modes between skiing and hiking, so you will also be required to use the equipment you are familiar with.
Compared to that, I can't help but feel relaxed in spring! After skiing, you can relax and change modes while enjoying the warm sunlight and a slightly cool breeze, and enjoy a lively conversation with the tour participants. When good friends are together, it's easy to chat, and we're always talking except when it's too hot (lol).
There is another thing that I think would be good for spring.
That means spring is a good time to take down new gear, especially bindings. Even if it takes some time to operate the bindings that you are not used to, you can handle them with plenty of time in the spring. If you get used to it in the spring, you should be able to use it comfortably from the beginning of the next season, and even if a problem occurs, you should be able to deal with it without any problems. There is also plenty of time to think about troubleshooting measures for next season. That's why I recommend trying out new gear in the spring.
Luggage issues and healing Shizu Onsen
``When you go to Mt. Gassan in spring, you go to experience the flavors of spring
,'' I don't know if someone has said this (lol). That's why, if you want to ski at Gassan Ski Resort for several days, it's standard to stay at Shizu Onsen, which is just before the resort. Spring in Shizu Onsen is wonderful, full of wild vegetables that are pleasing to the palate.
The ``Sendaya'' that I visited this time is located in the middle of Shizu Onsen. It's conveniently located for skiers who use public transportation. We sent all our large luggage such as boards by courier, so we only had one night's worth of luggage until we arrived at Shizu Onsen, which was super light! You can travel light in Yamagata City.
Speaking of the fun of spring backcountry travel, hot springs are of course the fun, but I think it's all about the taste of spring.
There are many good inns in Shizu Onsen, and all of them offer meals that allow you to enjoy the seasonal flavors of spring. There is still plenty of snow above Gassan Ski Resort, but spring is in full bloom below. Thanks to this large altitude difference, I think Mt. Gassan is able to enjoy plenty of wild vegetables throughout the spring.
KinTouN Spring Tohoku Snow Caravan
This time, I participated in backcountry guide KinTouN's ``Spring Tohoku Snow Caravan'', which has been a ``spring tradition'' of KinTouN for the past few years, starting around the opening day of Gassan Ski Resort.
This is a spectacular event in which participants go on a two- to three-week road trip from mid-April to Mt. Gassan, Hakkoda, Mt. Iwaki, Mt. Chokai, Mt. Akita Komagatake, etc. while searching for good slopes in the Tohoku backcountry in spring.
(By the way, this year it was held from April 22nd to May 6th, 2024)
Participants travel through the mountains of Tohoku one after another, spending the night in their own cars or rental cars, and sometimes staying overnight in hotels.
With KinTouN's guide Minegishi-san as our guide, we climbed, skied, and chatted a lot (drinking and laughing), and the trip continued to be fun. You can join the caravan for multiple dates or for one day, and come and go as per your convenience. Even if it's not a long vacation, you can join the caravan at a spot while working remotely based in Yamagata City.
A road trip filled with the romance of Michinoku, where you can enjoy the simple and rich nature of Tohoku. If you are interested, please check out Instagram or " Mineken's Radio for Living Close to Nature You can find out about tour status and tour information. Why not check it out!
REPORT : YOSHI (STEEP reader reporter)
Backcountry is in its 7th season.
A skier and diver who usually works in marketing in Tokyo and travels between 3,000m above sea level and 30m deep. At first, I was just interested in skiing powder, but I became captivated by the mountain views and atmosphere I saw while hiking, and by traveling to local mountains, so I got more into it and seriously decided to set up a second base in the local area. thinking. I post about my mountain and off-season activities Instagram
SPECIAL THANKS
Guide: KinTouN Representative: Kenichi Minegishi
