Madarao Mountain Resort
Madarao Kogen Ski Resort (斑尾高原スキー場 or a.k.a. Madarao Mountain Resort) is a unique bowl shape resort with 22 separate courses best suited to intermediate skiers and snowboarders, but there is some terrain for beginners and some fairly steep runs for advanced skiers and snowboarders.
There’s a lot to see and do on the mountain, but you’ll easily be able to explore all it’s runs in a full day. Despite typical Japanese lift infrastructure geared to on-piste skiers accessing the lower slopes, you can still access most areas without too much traversing and upload reasonably efficiently. There are English-language Madarao ski school lessons available as well as Madarao backcountry tours.
Must read for Madarao Kogen Ski Resort: Madarao Ski Resort – Places you should ride in Myoko
Check accommodation in Madarao Kogen: Madarao Kogen Accommodation: Hotels, Pensions, Inns
Madarao Kogen Ski Resort | Madarao Mountain Resort
Madarao Ski Resort: About
Mt. Madarao reaches a height of 1,382 meters tall and has 16 lifts, all of which are free for overseas children 12 and under. The common consensus is that this resort is usually uncrowded during weekdays with a good selection of runs, some nicely groomed trails (although 60% of the courses are ungroomed), and there are also very impressive views of Mt Myoko on a clear day. Madarao Kogen Ski Resort is quite near to Nagano City as well as the resorts in Myoko and Nozawa Onsen.
Madarao Kogen Ski Resort: Info
Two new courses were built at Madarao Kogen in 2009. Specifically constructed more for advanced skiers and snowboarders, the ‘Air Wave’ and ‘Usagi’ (rabbit) courses are ungroomed courses. Air Wave boasts moguls, opportunities for ‘air’ and tree runs – a powder snow paradise. The Usagi is bit easier so more suited to those looking to try out ungroomed areas without getting into too much difficulty. There was yet another new tree course for the 2013/14 season (see video) known as Powder Line. For more details see this info here
Madarao-Kogen is connected to Tangram Ski Circus Resort at the top of the mountain and a joint ticket is available to let you ski or snowboard both. For those wanting to step outside the resort, backcountry access is available through the top gate. There are also plenty of options to ski back into the resort for lift-accessed sidecountry fun and backcountry ski tours in Madarao Kogen are available.
The resort is open from mid-December through late March (depending on snow conditions)
Madarao Kogen Ski Resort: More info
Lift and food prices are reasonable, plus there are discounts for seniors over 58 yrs old.
Like many Japanese resorts, Madarao offers night skiing on weekends. They also host New Year’s Eve nightskiing and fireworks, and a Dondoyaki Fire Festival in early January. See our Things to do in Madarao page for more info on these.
There are various food options on the mountain including a large cafeteria offering moderately-priced food from ramen to hotdogs and tap beer, a convenience store and several small eateries.
Madarao Kogen Ski Resort: Info Box
Madarao Kogen Ski Resort: Ski School, Ski Rental and Kids
There are English-language Madarao ski school lessons available at North Nagano Outdoor Sports, Madarao Sports Academy and Action Snow Sports. Additionally Madarao back country and ski guiding tours are available. For your Madarao ski rental needs there are three ski shops + various accommodation providers also have ski rental onsite.
See more information and request your Madarao ski school lessons and Madarao Ski Rental here!
For anyone wanting to ski with young families, there is also childcare and a kids park available. Next to the kids park, Restaurant Tyrol has a kids room and other child services available.
Madarao Kogen Ski Resort: Access
Twenty five minutes by taxi from Myokokogen Station on the Kita-Shinano line (4,000 yen), or fifteen minutes by taxi from JR Iiyama Station (2,500 yen). Local bus from Iiyama is also available.
Shuttle buses (1000 yen one way) run to/from Akakura Onsen and Nozawa Onsen.
Madarao Kogen Ski Resort: Accommodation
There is a great variety of Madarao accommodation from Annex Aburaya right by the ski lifts, or cosy lodges such as Fujio Pension and Alp Bach Madarao. See more Madarao hotels and accommodation here.
Madarao Kogen Hotel offers ski-out convenience, being situated right at the top of the Madarao Kogen ski lifts. The hotel offers a beautiful view of the Madarao Plateau plus an onsen onsite. The restaurant serves authentic Italian dishes, Japanese cuisine made with ingredients freshly plucked from the Sea of Japan, or Chinese dishes. Madarao Kogen Hotel is family friendly with English speaking concierge and handily located close to ski rentals, restaurants, etc. Packages with ticket available – contact us for more details and/or a quote.
See more info on this Madarao hotel or check Madarao Kogen Hotel vacancies online now!
Madarao Ski Area: Ski Runs & Trail Map
Lifts: 16 Trails: 22 (Beg:30% Int:45% Adv:25%)
Madarao Village Map
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Lift Ticket Prices 2019/20
Mountain 1 Day Pass
Valid for both Madarao Kogen Ski Resort & Tangram
| Adult | 5,500 yen |
|---|---|
| Senior (over 55), High school students | 5,500 yen |
| Kids (under 12) | 3,500 yen |
| Valid: 8:30 – 17:00 （cannot be used during “Nighta” hours) |
Area Pass (valid only for Madarao Kogen Ski Resort)
Tangram Lifts are not included on this pass. Customers who plan on using the Tangram lifts should purchase the Mountain Pass.
1 Day Pass
| Adult | 5,000 yen |
|---|---|
| Senior (over 55), High school students | 4,500 yen |
| Kids (under 12) | 2,000 yen |
| Add 500 yen for Mountain Pass | |
| Valid: 8:30 – 17:00 |
2 Day Pass
| Adult | 8,500 yen |
|---|---|
| Senior (over 55), High school students | 7,500 yen |
| Kids (under 12) | 3,000 yen |
| Add 1,000 yen for Mountain Pass | |
| Valid: 8:30 – 17:00 |
3 Day Pass
| Adult | 12,000 yen |
|---|---|
| Senior (over 55), High school students | 10,500 yen |
| Kids (under 12) | 4,000 yen |
| Add 1,500 yen for Mountain Pass | |
| Valid: 8:30 – 17:00 |
4 Hour Pass
| Adult | 4,000 yen |
|---|---|
| Senior (over 55), High school students | 3,500 yen |
| Kids (under 12) | 1,500 yen |
| Valid: From 4 hours of purchase time |
Single Lift
| Adult | 500 yen |
|---|---|
| Senior (over 55), High school students | 500 yen |
| Kids (under 12) | 400 yen |
Afternoon + Nighta Pass
| Adult | 5,000 yen |
|---|---|
| Senior (over 55), High school students | 4,500 yen |
| Kids (under 12) | 2,000 yen |
| Valid: 12:00 – 21:00 |
Nighta Pass
| Adult | 2,000 yen |
|---|---|
| Senior (over 55), High school students | 2,000 yen |
| Kids (under 12) | 1,000 yen |
| Valid: 17:00 – 21:00 |
Season Pass
| Adult | 48,000 yen |
|---|---|
| Senior (over 55), High school students | 33,000 yen |
| Kids (under 12) | 20,000 yen |
Madarao Kogen Ski Resort: Stats
Longest Run: 2,500 metres
Half Pipes: Yes
Child Care and/or Kids Park: Yes
Cross-country available: Yes
Elevation: 1,350 metres
Vertical Drop: 440 metres
Terrain Parks: Yes
– Giant Course (Freeride Park) – table top, 1/4 pipe, hip spine, rail, box, kicker, hip
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Madarao Kogen Ski Resort: Contact
Phone: 0269-64-3214 | Website