Description

Access to this zone is through Gate 1, located about half way down the Champion Piste on the riders far right.

This zone can technically be accessed by the Ace Pair Lift 4, and the King Lift 4, though it requires a peculiar traverse.

It is much easier to use the Jumbo Pair Lift 4 to access this zone through the standard route, via the Champion Piste. After exiting Gate 1, the primary zone dips immediately fall line into an open powder field.

One can find fresh snow later on by traversing farther right, but this means they will hit the central gully sooner which is frequently heavily tracked out and at times will have open water down low.

Avoid this, and instead follow the open shot, and work to the riders left.

After about 200m, the open shot trends towards the riders right, into the gully.

One can cut to the left and remain high on the bench just before the creek.

This is safer and offers better skiing.

Be wary as there is a large drop going into the creek.

Approach it with caution, and if possible, try to enter the creek bed farther down. The outlined route has the rider working the W wall of Gate 1, which holds good snow, and is usually a bit more protected from the wind.

Staying high and out of the main gully is again advised whenever possible.

There is a wide mix of the spacing of trees.

On windy days, go for the trees that are closer together as they will hold better snow.

This side of the mountain generally gets more weather, so this will be more often than not.

When conditions allow, the open zones between the tight patches of trees offer great skiing through beautiful fields of birch. This zone fills in nicely by mid January, and the drainage creek used as a return to the piste becomes relatively easy to ski through.

After many people go through, it may resemble a mountain bike track with berm turns and small jumps on the side.

Getting down into this gully early on powder days in February can be very fun. After about 100 metres, the creek bed opens up into a playful meadow where riders tend to build small jumps and hits that are quite fun.

Keep to the left and anticipate meeting the Junior Piste as it hairpins back towards the Annupuri Base Area.

In the rare instance you miss the return track, keep heading downhill and slightly left.

There will eventually be a cleared road that will lead back to the hotels and Annupuri Base Area.