Maiko Snow Resort (hereafter referred to as Maiko), located in Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture, where there is abundant snowfall, has advanced the development of non-compacted snow areas and tree run areas that take advantage of the snow that falls almost every day. Skier Ken Hirose and snowboarder Hiroki Hoshi, who are familiar with the area, taught us how to enjoy the powder in Maiko, where it still snows frequently even in February.
First, let's take a look at the short clip of the two filmed at the end of January.
Photo gallery taken this time
A one-of-a-kind ski resort just off the interchange
Maiko is great fun to skate, but the biggest selling point is the ease of access. Drive a little over 2 hours from the Kanetsu Expressway Nerima IC, get off at the Shiozawa Ishiuchi IC and it's located 1 minute away. It is a ski resort with good access in front of an IC, which is rare in Japan.
Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture, where Maiko is located, is known as a heavy snowfall area in Niigata Prefecture.
It is a very friendly ski resort for skiers and snowboarders in the Kanto region.
In addition to good access, I would like to draw your attention to Maiko's attraction of its large scale and the variety of slopes that come with it. Maiko consists of 10 lifts and 26 courses, with the longest running distance of 6,000m (run-run course).
Maiko has two entrances, one on the hotel side and one on the gondola side.
The Maiko area has a hotel and many gentle slopes, so there are many families and students on school excursions (of course, there are slopes with uncompacted snow and slopes suitable for advanced skiers).
It also has a full range of facilities such as a snow park and night games on Saturdays and Sundays. The Nagamine area on the gondola side has many steep slopes and medium slopes, making it fun for intermediate and advanced skiers.
However, detours have been developed to surround the slopes, making it a course that anyone can be satisfied with. The “Okuzoeji area” is located deep in the mountain on the gondola side, and the slope facing north spreads out. Taking advantage of that feature, the tree run area and non-compressed snow area that I would like to introduce in detail this time are spreading.
In addition, there is a lift that connects the Maiko area, where the entrance is on the hotel side, and the Nagamine area and Okusoeji area, where the gondola side is the entrance, so you can go back and forth between them.
Get an overview of the ungroomed slopes and tree run areas
In the Okuzoeji area, next to the Okuzoeji Quad Lift is the Haglöfs Tree Run Area, which consists of three areas. Inside the tree, there are many small topographical changes, making it ideal for relaxing. The slope is relatively gentle and you can return to the slopes no matter where you ski, so it's perfect for those who want to try tree running. Anyone can ski in this area if they apply online and wear a helmet and armband.
In addition, the tree run can be done in the forest between the champion course in the Maiko area and the gold course and silver course. There are many places to aim.
Maiko powder capture method by two riders
The above is an overview of the Maiko Powder Area and Tree Run Area. You'll find that there are various uncompacted snow/tree run areas in the three areas. So, I want to find the best choice on how to move from the beginning of the morning to aim for powder.
Let's hear from professional skiers and snowboarders who frequently visit Maiko about their own ways to conquer Maiko.
In the case of skier Ken Hirose
“Early in the morning, we take the gondola to the Okusoeji area. One of the great things about Maiko is that you don’t have to change lifts and you can go up in elevation all at once. Aim for the fast track of the uncompacted "Gungun Course".A part of the Gungun Course becomes a compacted snow slope, so I pick up speed straight from there and drop the course. The slope is steep, and you can do powder runs at high speeds.
“After that, ride the Oku pair (Okusoeji pair lift) and ski dynamically on the uncompacted snow slopes of the thrilling course with big turns. Also, it's nice to be able to see your track clearly when you get on the lift (laughs)
After that, attack in order from gates 1 to 3 in the Haglöfs tree run area.Gate
1 is on the left because of the swamp terrain. If you go too far to the left, you will go to the bottom of the stream, so it will take time to return to the slopes.If you ski while being aware of the back hoe on the right side, it will be easier to return and you can do a long run. Recommended.
As for Gates 2 and 3, the slope is relatively gentle and the distance is short, but the point is that there are no tracks left even if you go late.”
“Once I’m satisfied with the uncompacted snow and tree run in the Okuzoeji area, I go to the off-piste zone.
Alternatively, you can head straight to the off-piste zone in the Nagamine area without going to the Okusoeji area early in the morning.
If it's a face vine, ski vigorously in the middle and then ski a few empty spots on the left and right of the course with no track. This is a popular course because you can ski long run powder just by walking a little, but if you go early, you can have the powder all to yourself before the crowds gather. After that, the flow is to ski in the tree run area where powder remains in the Okuzoeji area.”
Snowboarder Hiroki Hoshi
Hiroki Hoshi, a snowboarder, touched on the richness of variations in skiing locations.
“Maiko is attractive for its wide variety of powder. For example, the Okuzoeji area has a mellow tree run, as well as a high-speed powder run with slopes, so you can ski on a variety of slopes. In this case, even if it's a tree run with a gentle slope, it's fun to hit small swamps and fine terrain, and on sunny days when the boards run, I think you can enjoy snowboarding. You can ski on uncompacted snow on the yakuzoku course, so it's nice to be able to do different runs on the same lift."
“In the morning, of course, we go up the gondola and go to the Okusoeji area. It's fun.There's a lot of powder on the side of the course, so it feels good.Also, the Gungun course is steep for advanced skiers, but the Guigui course is suitable for intermediate skiers, so it's not suitable for those who don't fit the level of the Gungun course. I can recommend it.
After that, when the back pair opens, we will shed the non-compacted snow slope of the thrilling course. The course is wide, so even if there are many people, if you look for it, the powder will remain for a long time. After that, it feels like running the Haglöfs tree run area. After that, it would be nice to move to the Nagamine area and ski the off-piste zone or the powder beside the compacted snow course. In the morning, Okuzoeji is crowded with people, so if you move to the Nagamine area early, you can enjoy the powder on the side of the course for a long time.”
“In the blink of an eye, it will be lunchtime.
In the afternoon, we move to the Maiko area and enjoy the championship course and snow park.
There are various slope variations, and depending on the area, the direction of the slope is different, so you can enjoy powder with various types of snow. I think it would be interesting to come to Maiko and compare the differences between smooth powder and springy powder.”
This is how riders enjoy themselves. On a day when you can expect snowfall, let's go to the ski resort with the image that the two riders described.
The rider who slipped this time
SB: Hiroki Hoshi (left)
has been skating in Minami-Uonuma and has been active in filming and freeride competitions in the local mountains.
Became a member of the DRAGON family this season. Instagram: @hiroki_nts
SKI: Ken Hirose (right)
Lives in Gunma Prefecture.
He goes anywhere with light footwork in search of good snow. On days when it snows, she often skis Maiko and Nakazato. Instagram: @kenny_fjc
■Information
Maiko Snow Resort
〒949-6423 2056-108 Maiko, Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture
Official website: https://www.maiko-resort.com/
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