1 minute read
Explore the Japan Alps with Evergreen
With over 15 years of excellence, 200+ instructors and 3 dedicated winter departments, we guarantee we have something for you this winter!
Riding everyday and exploring your passion for the mountains is living the dream! Our team of professionals have devoted themselves to this lifestyle and now we want to share it with you.
• Ski & Snowboard Instructor Courses
• Freeride courses
• Gap Year Programs
Evergreen Backcountry Guides will lead you safely to Japan’s famous powder with our team of friendly, professional guides. With a range of tours allowing you to experience the region’s best terrain, snow and views.
• Backcountry Ski & Split-board Tours
• Lift Accessed Off-Piste Tours evergreen-skischool.com evergreen-alpineacademy.com
0261-72-5150 evergreen-hakuba.com tours@evergreen-outdoors.com
•
• Snowshoe & Cross Country Avalanche Safety Courses evergreen-backcountry.com keeping above the top of the forest. Even after popping out past these big rock pillars we made it back to the traverse line to the lift with no uphilling.
Just where the main runout track takes a signposted left at the trees you can go straight, then right, and grab an unskied section of south facing perfectly spaced lenga trees. Then a hard left should pop you out at a snowbridge just above the bottom of the double chair. Assuming the snowbridges are OK - be wary of those even on the main track out, and always pay attention as you ride the lift up above the creek line before heading out. There are loads of natural features out here, including cliff drops, so sessioning some is another option.
To make an even bigger day of it, skinning & skating all the way along the ridge brings you to the ‘Burnt Forest’, left over from a 1980s bushfire. It’s not often skiable, but when it is you will come out on the track from the Catedral car park to Refugio Frey (see following feature). This will leave an hour plus hike back to the carpark, involving a creek crossing or two.
La Laguna is not patrolled or avalanche controlled, but people often act as if it is. The avi control point is a reminder to be more cautious, be equipped, and use common sense. The trickiest part for less experienced is usually the get out line and those creek crossings. Though it often gets popular, there is plenty of space. When it’s cruddy round the sunny side I have often found myself alone in good snow in the shade, for far less effort.
It all adds up to arguably be the best bang-forbuck side country in the Southern Hemisphere.