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Banana

Niseko

Tight and steep tree line that holds fresh tracks late into the day.

Freeride Skiing Moderate

Distance
501 m
Ascent
0 m
Descent
143 m
Low Point
421 m
High Point
564 m
Gradient
26˚
Banana Map

Banana can be accessed from the Hanazono Hooded Quad Lift #1 by following 'Setsuzoku' on the skiers right when exiting the top station. 'Setsuzoku' has a short but steep first face which leads to a flat run out where the piste splits into two, 'Legend of Shinya' is a black run that is accessed by following the left hand piste. 'Legend of Shinya' can also be accessed from the 'Crystal Garden' piste leading from the above two Hanazono chairs. (Hanazono Quad Lift #2 and Hanazono Hooded Quad Lift #3) Once the skiers left fork to 'Legend of Shinya' has been taking the piste will initially start flat for 40 metres before falling away to the skiers right onto a steep face. As the piste falls away to the skiers right, carry on straight into the trees to the skiers right of the piste for a maximum of 25metres before dropping into the tight tree line.

Description

The tight trees of 'Banana' can provide for a tricky descent in tracked snow and require experienced skiing in all conditions. However during the regular large dumps of snowfall in Niseko' this line can provide steep and deep turns through challenging trees. Descend for 50 metres and the gradient will begin to reduce also the tree spacing becomes more forgiving. At this point make sure to be heading gradually around to the skiers right to reduce any risk of slowing to a stop in powdery conditions on the flatter sections of this line. As the face falls away to the skiers left it is also possible to be to far left making it important to make sure to stay closer to the piste if it is your first time skiing the line.

As the line's gradient reduces and a gradual movement to the right has been made, the flat section for 20m should have been easy to negotiate leading to shorter more shallow section. This second section to the line has playful rolls and more forgiving spaced trees and will result in you re joining the 'Legend of Shinya' piste. Again at this point it is possible to be to far left of the piste and result in a slower run out, so head to the skiers right earlier if this a first descent of the line. During good snow conditions this line can be easily accessed even in higher winds, and will hold the snow better into the day due to a N, NE aspect.

Difficulty

Moderate

Slopes become slightly steeper at around 25-30 degrees.

Low Exposure (E1)

1 out of 4

Exposure is limited to that of the slope itself. Getting hurt is still likely if the slope is steep and/or the snow is hard.

Remoteness

2 out of 4

Away from help but easily accessed.

Best time to visit

between December and March

Features

  • Trees

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area