Description

Entry to the G5 Gully can be found from the top of the Hanazono Hooded Quad Lift #3 chairlift with a short 20 metre walk up hill directly above the top station to the G5 (Gate 5) back-country exit point.

G5 can also be reached from the top of the King Hooded Quad Lift #3 by turning right at the top station and traversing across Dynamic Blk above the Hanazono Hooded Quad Lift #3 top station.

Conditions at this altitude are variable, therefore orientating yourself between fixed locations such as lift stations can be helpful gaining entry to the line. Once you have exited G5 the fall line will naturally direct you into the bottom of the gully.

The trees on the skiers right side of the gully can provide less wind affected snow; additionally the skiers left side of the gully during early season (December - January) can be more open due to less bamboo coverage.

Both sides to the valley during mid season snowfalls can provide great terrain for those who are comfortable with intermediate gradients with variable to powdery snow conditions.The G5 Gully is subject to heavy traffic during peak weeks and can become tracked out quickly, therefore choosing this as a line early in the day will provide more clean and fresh conditions than later in the day.

The G5 Gully bottom can be skied for up to 400 metres, at this point it is important to traverse to the skiers right with the aim of reaching the Hanazono Hooded Quad Lift #3 lift line.

As the lift line gradient dramatically reduces into a cat track there is a double pylon numbered 6 and 7.

To gain best access to this cat track aim to traverse uphill of the double pylons, this will enable you to access the cat track without any walking. Follow the cat track running parallel to the lift line for 300 metres and the cat track will rejoin you to the Yotei Sunset piste above the Hanazono Hooded Quad Lift #3 loading station.

During heavy snowfall days the cat track can be covered and not easily recognised, in the event of these conditions stay skiers right of the Hanazono Hooded Quad Lift #3 line keeping close to the tree line.

These reference points will be beneficial in low visibility and also provide a gradual gradient when returning to the piste.