On April 29th, a spin-off event "Yukigyo CAMP Mountain Clean" was held at Maiko Resort every autumn. As the snow melts and the ski resorts close, let's all clean up the slopes that we've been skiing and playing with throughout the season! and Maiko Resort and Yukigyo CAMP management office are planning.
This event will be held for the second time this year. It is so popular that the capacity is filled in about 5 to 6 hours after the reception starts. Is it because the participants are highly motivated or because it comes with delicious rice? Also, are you looking for a participation privilege (a one-day lift ticket for the 2023-2024 season!)?
Whatever the reason, for those of us who love winter and snow, what we can do to express our gratitude to ski resorts for a fun season. One of them would be this Mountain Clean. On the first day of Golden Week, the staff of the STEEP editorial department participated in the cleanup of the mountain by the slippers who gathered from all over the country.
What is Yukigo CAMP?
Yukigyo CAMP is a camp festival event where people who love snowy mountains, including skiers and snowboarders, gather.
“I hope it will snow a lot this winter,” literally “begging for snow,” while enjoying camping, shopping, workshops, local food, etc. for two days. It is held every October at Maiko Resort. For event details, check the Yukigyo CAMP official website and SNS.
Click here for Yukigyo CAMP official website
The weather is fine! mountain clean day
Twenty-four participants gathered at 9:00 in the morning under beautiful clear weather. Last year's Mountain Cleanup was held in June, so most of the trash had already been picked up by the ski resort staff, but this year's event will be held later. Also, since the snow melts earlier than usual, it seems that it is a journey to climb near the top of the gondola (about 800m above sea level) that can be accessed by car. Is that really hard? While thinking that, his expression was full of motivation and his spirit was enough.
Once we were ready, we boarded the minibus and headed straight to the Skydome Restaurant. It feels good for a few minutes in the mountains where the season of sprouts has arrived. On this day, the temperature rose to nearly 25 degrees, enough to wear short sleeves. A pleasant breeze blows through the window, and the sun shines down without being too bright, which is the joy of spring.
Start mountain cleaning!
At 10:00 a.m., the mountain clean started, each with tongs and garbage bags. Go down along the course and find the garbage that has fallen at your feet. The slopes that are not covered with snow are completely different and fresh from the winter atmosphere.
A run run course where you can walk while feeling the arrival of spring, such as the streets of Minami Uonuma City and cherry blossoms
Tissues, masks, body warmers, etc. were picked up from the beginning. There must have been things that were accidentally dropped, but there are also plastic bottles and empty cans that have been thrown away after drinking. Even if the snow melts, of course the garbage remains. In order to protect the surrounding natural environment and maintain a comfortable slope, various efforts are necessary in seasons other than winter.
By the way, I also found a smartphone and a lift ticket. Thinking, "Did I lose it while skating?"
Meanwhile, "big game" was discovered one after another.
The participants who were sparse on the way gathered in the area under Nagamine No. 2 Quad Lift. When I asked what happened...
"Cigarette butts are amazing! I have to put this on SNS!"
Was it thrown away while riding? A pile of cigarette butts lay beneath the lift line. Cigarettes are made of paper and leaves, so they will eventually return to the soil. It may seem that way, but it's actually not that simple. Cigarettes contain highly toxic harmful substances, including carcinogenic substances, and can cause soil pollution. In addition, the filter contains a substance called cellulose acetate, a kind of plastic, and it takes more than 10 years to decompose.
Children are picking up the garbage thrown away by adults' selfish actions. Is it okay for me to look like that? It's not just that the gliding is cool. Of course, most smokers are good manners, but as someone who loves snow and mountains, I want you to think twice before you act.
Mountain clean finished! good job for today
Start near the top of the gondola, about 2 hours. The goal was the one-day ski center that served as a gondola station at the foot of the mountain. The collected garbage is as shown in the picture below.
After finishing the mountain clean, it's time for lunch!
The staff of Maiko Resort welcomed me brightly, saying, "Thank you for your hard work~!" Freshly cooked Koshihikari rice from Minami Uonuma and warm pork miso soup that permeates a tired body are waiting there.
This mountain clean was sold out last year as well. This year's participants included repeaters who said, "I participated last year and had a lot of fun, so I came again!" I joined because I started snowboarding,” said another slipper.
A day blessed with fine weather. The expressions on the faces of the participants who made the start of a good holiday were bright and sunny.
We asked Mr. Tatsuya Ijima of Maiko Resort, who hosts Mountain Clean and "Yukigyo CAMP", about his impressions of this year's event.
First of all, thank you to everyone who participated in the 2nd "Mountain Clean".
To be honest, I was surprised by the success of the event, which reached capacity within a few hours of the recruitment announcement. I am very happy that everyone has a feeling of gratitude for the snow mountain. On the day of the event, in order for all the participants to enjoy themselves, the staff and I came up with the answer...
"Let's take you to the top of the mountain!
"
I was able to guide you to the mountaintop area that you can not easily step into. It made me happy to see how happy they were just to land on the summit area where there was no snow. While picking up trash in the fresh greenery, I enjoyed talking with the participants about the events of the season.And this year, it has been decided that “Yukigyo CAMP 2023 (tentative)” will be held for two days from October 21st to 22nd.
We are planning a new attempt with the big theme of "protecting the snow", so please look forward to it!
We look forward to seeing you there.
See you next time at the autumn "Yukigyo CAMP"!
“Yukigyo CAMP 2023 (provisional)” will be held from October 21st (Sat) to 22nd (Sun). This year, in addition to the usual "snow-making", we are planning to do what we can do to protect the snow and what we who love skiing and snowboarding can do. Details will be released soon on the official website and SNS. Please check it out.
Yukigoi CAMP Official Website: https://yukigoi-camp.com/