斑尾高原 / ◎390cm / 雪｜ゲレンデレポート｜スノーナビ｜白馬八方・栂池・五竜等の観光案内はスノーナビ白馬で。

Madarao Kogen / ◎390cm / Snowy2022.Feb.18

The subject of the 4th picture in our previous report, Adventure Isle (pictured), is a path to powder paradise for advanced skiers and riders, but a gateway to long, fatiguing frustration for beginners. The narrow pathway stretches for some 200m before reaching the drop in point for Powder Line. The short climb not far the end lets you know you’re almost there.

[Adventure Isle]

I heard relief in the voice of a snowboarder who reached the top of Powder Line (pictured), and exclaimed, “Oh, I made it.” I was also greeted by two local skiers who noticed I was taking photos, and went on to say, “It seems like there’s only about 20 to 30cm of new snow, so you do bottom out a bit from time to time. We’re happy we could come out today to get some powder runs though.”

[Powder Line]

The surface of this morning’s new snow had slightly been packed by strong winds, but still provided that fluffy powder feeling. The treen run area of Powder Wave 2, located to skier’s left of Powder Line, is a relatively easy place to give tree sking a shot thanks to the wide spacing between trees. (*The slope however is steep.) Two snowboarders riding down (one pictured) were in high spirits, shouting, “This is amazing! It feels so good! Madarao was the right call today!”

[Powder Line]

I also caught glimpses of quite a few people heading into the steep tree-run areas of Powder Theater and Ninja. Which leads me to mention that once you’ve made your way through Adventure Isle and dropped in, there are no gentles slopes to be found… everything is steep! Beginners beware.