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...not sure if this counts because the mountain it's on is HUGE but because it's only one lift, and it's barely a ski area, I'm gonna put it here.
Asahidake Daisetsuzan Ropeway
This place is literally just one lift. and 3 groomed runs. But is it SO much more than that.
There are a lot of famous Trams in the world...
Jackson's tram accesses Corbets and a hole host of other rowdy lines...
Snowbird's tram accesses basically the whole mountain and offers access to sick areas like the Cirque, its traverse ridge, and the High Baldy Traverse...
the Tram to the Aiguille du Midi in Chamonix of course offers probably the gnarliest lift-accessed terrain in the world...
the Tram at Verbier accesses terrain that you find on the Freeride world tour and allows you to ski over to Zermatt...
...but none of them gives you this:
From 2007's Level 1 Realtime... the segment that started the itch that led to me eventually moving here.
This place is just outrageous. The snow is cottonball light, fluffy, deep as hell, and outstandingly abundant... the backcountry access it affords is absolutely endless and unparalleled. It is within a national park, and there's actually another tramway on the other side of the mountain that's just about as incredible. And of course, at the bottom, there are incredible onsens to relax and re-coop at...
And it costs less than 50 bucks to ride all day long...
Bring fat skis. Seriously.
So about that other tramway on the other side.... Kurodake, right? Do you have a preference? They both look insane. All I know about it is what I've read from powderhounds
IsaacNW82So about that other tramway on the other side.... Kurodake, right? Do you have a preference? They both look insane. All I know about it is what I've read from powderhounds
Only been to Asahidake so take it as you will, but the three other people I skied it with haven't been back since, seems like they only go to Kurodake now.
I'll add my weekend getaway, Mount Cain, Northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Only open on the weekends, some mondays for ski groups, and holidays. Run mainly by volunteers, old barely running t bars it has a great parking lot camp culture. Sadly haven't been up yet this year as life has gotten in the way. (Get a rescue dog in the spring or summer, not right before ski season.) Like every ski hill in the PNW freezing levels is make or break. But every so often you'll get a day in the west bowl or just lapping the upper t bar and the snow will be much better than you would expect. Obviously increasingly popular with MSP filming here and people down Island wanting to find some winter joy. On that note, Mount Washington would be a fine place to ski if you didn't have to deal with the hordes of Victoria folk.
I went to Magic yesterday for the first time and had a good time. The trails aren’t particularly difficult, but the character of the mountain and the vibes in the lift line were cool. Also, the red chair might have the softest cushion I’ve ever been on, dare I say better than the megacorp bubble chairs.
schismOnly been to Asahidake so take it as you will, but the three other people I skied it with haven't been back since, seems like they only go to Kurodake now.
I'll add my weekend getaway, Mount Cain, Northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Only open on the weekends, some mondays for ski groups, and holidays. Run mainly by volunteers, old barely running t bars it has a great parking lot camp culture. Sadly haven't been up yet this year as life has gotten in the way. (Get a rescue dog in the spring or summer, not right before ski season.) Like every ski hill in the PNW freezing levels is make or break. But every so often you'll get a day in the west bowl or just lapping the upper t bar and the snow will be much better than you would expect. Obviously increasingly popular with MSP filming here and people down Island wanting to find some winter joy. On that note, Mount Washington would be a fine place to ski if you didn't have to deal with the hordes of Victoria folk.
Hey now. You don't talk about Cain. I'd say you also don't talk about Shames, but MSP fucked that all up. Mount Cain and Shames are what they are though I suppose and people don't show up there unless they understand what the deal is.
So I guess with that in mind, they are both worth sharing to those that are worthy. Let's just say that inbounds at Mount Cain is irrelevant. Get in where you fit in.
I hear Whistler is pretty cool... and if you find yourself on the island and looking to do some skiing I think Mount Washington is something people like. Don't concern yourself with Mount Cain, it's not that cool.
LemuelI went to Magic yesterday for the first time and had a good time. The trails aren’t particularly difficult, but the character of the mountain and the vibes in the lift line were cool. Also, the red chair might have the softest cushion I’ve ever been on, dare I say better than the megacorp bubble chairs.
You just don’t know where to find them, they have some of the sickest terrain in the east, black magic I think it’s called, the trails right under the lift
Chamrousse (considered a small resort in France). Has everything you need, and has one of the best snowparks in France (they got partnerships with vans volcom & nitro). Such good vibes and a sick local crew. I live in Grenoble, the closest big city (1h away) and it’s only 30€ for a lift tix + bus there/back for the weekdays / 35€ for the weekends
I'm going to use this space to talk about LA ski areas lol.
There are some ski areas up on LA Crest highway that shut down.. Kratka Ridge/Snowcrest being one of them - home to the west's last single chair. They turned into a downhill mountain bike operation for a few years when that was all the rage in the 90s but it just didn't last.
The good news is, right next door is Mt. Waterman. Which is basically the same sort of terrain - rugged and steep, and on a good year, it's sick.
I don’t even live near Socal and I’m fascinated by that Stockton Flats write up.
DrailHey now. You don't talk about Cain. I'd say you also don't talk about Shames, but MSP fucked that all up. Mount Cain and Shames are what they are though I suppose and people don't show up there unless they understand what the deal is.
So I guess with that in mind, they are both worth sharing to those that are worthy. Let's just say that inbounds at Mount Cain is irrelevant. Get in where you fit in.
I hear Whistler is pretty cool... and if you find yourself on the island and looking to do some skiing I think Mount Washington is something people like. Don't concern yourself with Mount Cain, it's not that cool.
I lived in Smithers for a few years before I moved to the island, at least you have to fly or drive 12+ hours to get to Terrace from the lower mainland. Unlike Cain, where you have almost a million people on the island that have no where to go unless they want to take a ferry. But if you like running water, and fries and the general amenities of a ski resort Cain is not for you.
I will admit, I do enjoy skiing at Mount Washington. But thats mainly because I can get there in 15 minutes from my house. If I lived further south than Nanaimo I probably wouldn't bother.
But yeah, it's a case of if you know, you know. I wish I got to check Murray Ridge in Fort St. James before I left the North. Hopefully moving back up north in a few years, most likely Terrace and not Smithers this time.
Depending on that people consider Northern BC, Troll Mountain outside Quesnel is another interesting ski hill that I regret not checking out. T bars only, as it should be. Had a few friends that have worked and patrolled there and have only heard good things. Now that I am a weekend warrior and vacation skier I'll have to wait until next winter to ski it on a road trip ski vacation.
lucky to have lots of little gems here in Montana. lots of them only operate thurs-sunday so if it snows early week thursdays can be sickkk. Some have already been mentioned but a couple other worthy hills are:
Snowbowl- 2600 vert, close to missoula, good BC access
Great Divide- fun hill with decent park. great vibes and super cool management.
Turner- excellent fall line tree skiing when in condition. basically gonna be you and some dudes in carhart one pieces. can rent the whole hill for 5k. access road is sporty
Bear Paw- way the fuck up on the highline near canada, but a gnarly little hill when they get snow.
Lookout Pass- on Montana/Idaho border. Place gets dumped on. Kinda flat but expanding into some new more interesting terrain for next year. Usually decent parks for this neck of the woods.
Blacktail- not great but stoney views of flathead lake and the novelty of parking at the top of the mountain.
1M_peachesYou just don’t know where to find them, they have some of the sickest terrain in the east, black magic I think it’s called, the trails right under the lift
Conditions were pretty spring like so they had a handful or trails roped off. I’m sure it’s great on a pow day but being a Jay skier I didn’t see anything that I would consider the “sickest terrain on the east”, especially under any of the lifts. Definitely a bounty of side hits to be had!
LemuelConditions were pretty spring like so they had a handful or trails roped off. I’m sure it’s great on a pow day but being a Jay skier I didn’t see anything that I would consider the “sickest terrain on the east”, especially under any of the lifts. Definitely a bounty of side hits to be had!
Yeah, it's kinda just what you're obligated to say when you're from that area or were from that area.
IsaacNW82So about that other tramway on the other side.... Kurodake, right? Do you have a preference? They both look insane. All I know about it is what I've read from powderhounds
Fuckin BOTH!
I've actually never skied at kurodake... which is a bit of a shame, however, it tends to be more of a place you go in either the late spring, or in the early season, since the top lift doesn't usually run mid-winter due to the sheer insane amount of snow. You know a place is probably pretty sick when they can't run a lift during winter because the conditions are too good.
I'll save it for another time. maybe ill come back up to Hokkaido in April and link up with someone to ski it.
iRide1080sI don’t even live near Socal and I’m fascinated by that Stockton Flats write up.
You’re crushing this thread.
I lived in Socal off and on when my father was working down in Ontario before he moved back up to Northern California. We would go up to Baldy, or Snow Valley.
...Speaking of whiiiich, might I introduce everyone to Snow Valley, just outside of Los Angeles.
This place is a rad little mountain. It's only about 1000ft of vertical, so not all that big, but it offers everything anyone would really need for a cheap, local hill. The lower main part of the mountain is a lot of cruisy, groomed stuff with a very competitively good park.
If you want sunny, chill park days in your hoodie, this is absolutely the place for you, dude.
Then, the top bit, is short, and steep and just enough to get your heart beating. Super fun on a powder day.
Day Tickets are like 79$, which is pretty affordable these days, but I'm pretty sure Snow Valley is on the Indy Pass which is very affordable and includes many of the ski areas in this thread! (and no, I do not work for indy pass, but I find it an awesome alternative to the Epic/Ikon options.
