The 24-25 season was a completely different experience from last season, and it was a winter blessed with plenty of snow. I'm sure many of you who are reading this article have enjoyed it or are still enjoying it.
This time, we will be showing our gratitude to the ski resorts that enjoyed the winter, and bringing us a look at how they participated in "YUKIGOI Mountain Clean," an initiative that uses their own hands to clean the slopes. The setting is Maiko Snow Resort in Niigata Prefecture.
What is "Mountain Clean"?
Mountain Clean is an event that protects nature and connects to the next season by picking up trash after the season, enjoying skiing and snowboarding. This year marks the fourth time the Maiko snow resort "YUKIGOI Mountain Clean" was held at Maiko's fourth snow resort.
These efforts have spread to ski resorts all over the country, including Hakuba's "Ski Clean Act" and Tokyu Snow Resort's "Mountain Clean."
Last year's report is here
On the first day of the sunny Golden Week, the slopes without snow are fresh
The event will be held on Saturday, April 26th, the first day of Golden Week. It was a little chilly in the morning, but the sky was clear and clear. As someone who normally lives in Tokyo, I don't often go to slopes without snow. I arrived there feeling somewhat nervous.
I have visited Maiko Snow Resort many times this season. The slopes are attractive for long runs that can be enjoyed using a gondola, off-piste zones, snow parks, and more, so you can enjoy yourself or in groups.
The sight of Maiko's no snow on the slopes was refreshing, and although she was a little confused by her unusual expression, she waited for the start of Mountain Clean.
"Snow & Green Morning Yoga" under the blue sky
Before the event, yoga classes were held by two local instructors, Takko and Shuri. For about an hour, it gives you a strange feeling of unity with the rich nature that surrounds you. It was a valuable time that can only be enjoyed outdoors.
First, start cleaning from the Maiko area.
There were a total of 28 participants. Once the opening greeting was over, we took a minibus to the top of the slopes. Unlike in previous years, there is still much snow near Gondola summit station, so the route has been changed for safety reasons. There are two locations: along the Maiko Center Quad in the Maiko area to the Maiko Kogen Hotel, and from the top of the Nagamine 1 Quad in the Nagamine area to the day ski center. Mountain Clean starts at about two hours from here.
First, start with the Maiko area. We carefully check the waste, especially under the lift, while being careful of the waste that is said to be common. Some of the accessories seemed to have fallen from their pockets, while others were clearly deliberately thrown away cigarette butts. It's a shame that there are adults who don't follow the rules despite the designated smoking areas.
We also found several trash from the lift ticket. I thought they had accidentally dropped it, but I also heard from participants that "the gate will not respond if you have two IC card lift tickets, so there are cases where people intentionally throw away lift tickets from those who have expired," which made me feel confused.
In the second half, we head to the Nagamine area.
About an hour after the start, I took the minibus again and headed to the Nagamine area. Looking at the day trip ski centre through the window on the right, anyone who has ever skated through Maiko has passed through a tunnel that is sure to remember and arrived at the lift drop-off point.
There is more snow left here than in the Maiko area, and the temperature is slightly lower. Participants couldn't help but say, "I should have brought the board..." It wasn't the purpose of skiing, but it was a moment that made me feel like there were people who really love the snowy mountains.
When you descend from the starting point to the slopes, you will reach the confluence of the "Bunbun Course" and "Off Piste Zone." Parents and children were also seen checking faces of terrain that was not snowed. "If there's no snow, it seems interesting that the terrain undulations are more clearly visible," he said. I was so tempted I also checked my face. I'm looking forward to next year as well.
I'll pick up trash here too. We arrived at the day-trip ski centre at the finish line, collecting garbage of all sizes, including only one piece of stock, goggle sponge, and empty plastic bottles. This completes Mountain Clean. The garbage I collected on this day was so full that it filled the loading platform of my light truck.
After completing the approximately two-hour Mountain Clean, you'll be in the long-awaited lunchtime!
The staff at Maiko Snow Resort prepared Koshihikari rice from Minamiuonuma, cooked in a large 3-sho-cooked kettle using the rice husks as fuel, as well as local dish "Kirizai", the classic Nozawana, flavorful seaweed salt, and pork soup with plenty of ingredients. I was given a deep, grateful meal that soaked in my body after working hard for just under two hours.
Even small trash won't return to nature
What I felt when I participated in YUKIGOI Mountain Clean was that there was a lot of small garbage. There was a lot of garbage that would have been left to be overlooked, including cigarette butts, tissue paper and gum wrapping paper, "if it was buried in the snow."
Perhaps they are thinking, "If it's this much, I can throw it away..." However, trash that does not return to nature can remain, no matter how small it is. And this will certainly defile our sliding field and lead to miseminating the wildlife living in this mountain.
Skiing and snowboarding are something that can only be enjoyed in nature. Spoiling the environment is equivalent to letting go of the fun itself. This time, Mountain Clean was a precious day that once again reminded me of all that obvious things.
Event held again this year! YUKIGOI OUTDOOR MARKET
YUKIGOI OUTDOOR MARKET, one of the largest outdoor market events in Japan, aimed at skiers and snowboarders looking forward to the winter season, will be held again this year. This event, which is being held for the sixth year, is packed with content, including "Snow Begging Prayer," where you can pray, "I hope there will be good snow this year!", as well as a wide range of famous brands, including the "Brand Mall," "Fireworks," and "Jib Battle."
This year, the event will be held over two days from Saturday, October 18th to Sunday, October 19th. Details will be announced at a later date, so please check the official website and social media.
Information
Maiko Snow Resort
2056-108 Maiko, Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture 949-6423
Official website: https://www.maiko-resort.com/Official
SNS: Instagram | Facebook | X | LINE
YUKIGOI OUTDOOR MARKET
Official website: https://yukigoi-camp.com/Official
Instagram: yukigoi_camp