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NAGANO, JAPAN ・ WINTER TRAVEL
Deep natural snow, extensive tree-run terrain, ski-in ski-out accommodation and a restorative onsen make Madarao Mountain Resort one of northern Nagano’s most appealing winter destinations. For Australian travellers looking beyond Japan’s best-known ski areas, Madarao combines serious powder, easy access and a relaxed resort atmosphere.
Set in northern Nagano Prefecture, near the border with Niigata, Madarao is known for abundant snowfall, ungroomed terrain and forest riding. Yet it is not only for advanced skiers and snowboarders. Beginners, families and casual holidaymakers will also find gentle slopes, English-language instruction, equipment rental and convenient accommodation close to the lifts.
One of Madarao’s greatest advantages is its accessibility. From Tokyo Station, the Hokuriku Shinkansen reaches Iiyama Station in around 100 minutes. A local bus or taxi then takes roughly 30 minutes to the resort. Visitors can leave Tokyo in the morning and be in the snow by early afternoon.
For Australians combining a ski trip with a broader Japanese holiday, Madarao can be paired with time in Tokyo or included in a longer journey through central Japan without the need for an additional domestic flight.
Home of “Madapow”
Madarao’s powder is so closely associated with the resort that it has earned its own nickname: Madapow.
The term describes the light, deep snow that settles across the mountain during winter, covering open slopes, gullies and forested terrain. Madarao operates on natural snow, and much of the mountain is deliberately left ungroomed, giving it a more adventurous character than destinations built mainly around perfectly prepared pistes.
On a fresh morning, skiers and snowboarders can experience the sensation of floating through soft snow, with powder rising around each turn. The surrounding beech forests create a dramatic setting and can provide useful visibility and shelter when conditions are cloudy or snowy.
January and February are generally the best months for travellers hoping to experience Madarao at its powder-filled peak. Snowfall varies from season to season, but the resort’s position in the snow-rich Shinetsu region has earned it a strong reputation for quality and quantity.
A Mountain with 51 Courses
Madarao’s terrain suits a wide range of abilities.
The resort itself offers 32 courses, while the adjoining Tangram Ski Circus expands the connected ski area to 51 courses with the joint Mountain Pass. Across the two resorts, visitors can explore groomed pistes, ungroomed powder areas, mogul terrain, beginner slopes, a snow park and extensive tree-run courses.
The Madarao side is particularly famous for natural terrain and forest riding. Tangram adds more groomed runs, open views and family-friendly facilities. Conditions can vary across the mountain, so the joint pass gives guests a better chance of finding enjoyable terrain throughout the day.
Madarao also has a strong freestyle heritage. Natural waves, banks and moguls reward riders who enjoy using the shape of the mountain creatively. One of its best-known features is SAWA, a natural-pipe-style course formed by the contours of the land, allowing skiers and snowboarders to move between natural walls and choose their own lines.
Tree Runs for Adventure Seekers
Tree skiing is one of Madarao’s defining attractions.
While forest riding is restricted or unofficial at many resorts, Madarao has developed designated tree-run courses with marked entry and exit points. The connected Madarao and Tangram area offers 15 tree-run courses, ranging from terrain suitable for confident intermediates to steeper, more technical lines for advanced riders.
Tree skiing still requires control, awareness and good judgement. Deep snow can conceal roots and other obstacles, visibility can change quickly, and riders must always obey signs, closures and resort boundaries.
For visitors unfamiliar with powder or tree skiing, a lesson or guided experience can be valuable. English-speaking instructors can explain how to control speed, maintain balance in soft snow and choose a safe line. More experienced riders can also book guided outings to locate terrain suited to the day’s conditions.
English-Language Lessons and Guided Tours
Madarao is well prepared for international visitors.
English-speaking staff are available across parts of the resort, and ski and snowboard schools provide lessons for adults and children. Depending on the operator, guests may choose private tuition, group classes and specialised coaching.
For Australian families, clear instruction in English can make learning much less stressful. Beginners can focus on technique and safety, while experienced visitors can use private lessons to improve their powder or tree-skiing skills.
Guided backcountry and side-country tours are also available through local operators. These experiences go beyond normal resort skiing and may involve avalanche terrain, deep snow and rapidly changing conditions. Participants should have suitable ability, fitness, equipment and insurance.
Equipment Rental Made Easy
Travellers do not need to bring their own skis or snowboard from Australia.
Rental facilities at Madarao offer equipment for beginners through to advanced riders. Standard ski and snowboard packages are available, while specialist powder equipment can also be hired for those wanting wider skis or boards better suited to deep snow.
This is useful for travellers who usually ski in Australia, where equipment is often selected for firmer and more variable conditions. Visitors should provide accurate information about height, weight and ability when booking. Helmets are strongly recommended, along with suitable goggles, gloves, base layers and waterproof outerwear.
Ski-In, Ski-Out Convenience
Madarao Kogen Hotel is a landmark at the base of the resort and offers true ski-in, ski-out convenience.
Guests can prepare inside the hotel, step outside and access the slopes almost immediately. At the end of the day, there is no lengthy transfer between the final run and a hot shower or onsen.
This arrangement is especially valuable for families. Children, boots, skis and helmets are easier to manage when the hotel is beside the mountain, and guests can return during the day to warm up, change clothing, rest or swap equipment.
The hotel offers Western-style, Japanese-style and Japanese-Western rooms. The latter combine conventional beds with a tatami area, giving international visitors a comfortable introduction to Japanese accommodation. Larger rooms suit families and groups, while other categories are available for couples and solo travellers. Room facilities vary, so guests should check whether their chosen room includes a private bath.
Relax in a Natural Onsen
After a day in the snow, few experiences are more satisfying than soaking in a Japanese hot spring.
Madarao Kogen Hotel has its own natural onsen, with indoor bathing and an open-air bath. The hot spring is also available to non-staying visitors during designated hours.
For first-time users, the etiquette is simple. Guests wash thoroughly before entering the bath, swimwear is not worn, and towels are kept out of the water. Bathing areas are separated by gender.
Warm water eases tired muscles while cold mountain air drifts above the outdoor bath. On snowy evenings, the contrast between the hot spring and the winter landscape becomes one of the most memorable parts of the trip.
Dining with Local Flavours
Food is another major part of the Madarao experience.
Meals at Madarao Kogen Hotel are generally served buffet-style during busy winter periods, with Japanese, Western and Chinese dishes. The selection may include local brand beef and pork, seafood, fresh vegetables, rice, noodles, fruit and desserts.
A buffet works well for families and groups, allowing everyone to choose according to their appetite. Children can select familiar dishes, while adults sample regional flavours from Nagano and neighbouring Niigata. Local sake and wine are also available.
Beyond the hotel, the resort village has casual restaurants, cafés and bars serving curry rice, pizza, burgers, noodles, yakitori, gyoza and other Japanese favourites. Madarao’s evening atmosphere is relaxed rather than dominated by nightlife, with most guests enjoying dinner, drinks, karaoke, an onsen soak or an early night before the next powder day.
Everything You Need Under One Roof
Madarao Kogen Hotel is designed as a complete resort base.
Facilities include a restaurant, bar lounge, tea lounge, karaoke rooms, table tennis, a kids’ room, sauna, coin laundry, ski rental and a hotel shop.
The shop sells souvenirs, local sake, local wine, beer, soft drinks, snacks and everyday necessities. Families can use the kids’ room and table tennis facilities, while groups may enjoy karaoke after dinner. A coin laundry is useful for longer stays, especially when ski layers and children’s clothing need washing.
A Base for Exploring the Region
Madarao is a strong destination on its own, but it also sits close to other well-known snow areas.
Nozawa Onsen and the Myoko region are both within reach by road, giving longer-stay visitors the option of adding a day trip. Nozawa Onsen is famous for its traditional hot-spring village, while Myoko offers several resorts and another distinctive style of Shinetsu powder.
Seasonal shuttle services may operate, although timetables should be checked in advance. Visitors unfamiliar with winter driving are generally better using organised transport, buses or taxis.
The Ideal Japanese Winter Escape
Madarao appeals to many types of traveller.
Powder skiers and snowboarders will be drawn to the natural snowfall, ungroomed terrain and tree runs. Intermediate riders can develop their skills through lessons and controlled forest courses. Families benefit from beginner areas, rental equipment, English-language instruction and ski-in, ski-out accommodation.
Couples can combine active days with onsen bathing and regional dining, while mixed-ability groups can explore different parts of the connected Madarao-Tangram area and meet again at the hotel.
A stay of four or five nights gives first-time visitors enough time to understand the mountain without rushing. Visitors should book popular accommodation, lessons and English-speaking services early, particularly during January, February, Australian school holidays and the New Year period. Travel insurance should specifically cover skiing or snowboarding, equipment and any off-piste or guided activities planned.
Madarao brings together many of the experiences Australians love about winter in Japan: deep natural snow, efficient transport, forest terrain, warm hospitality, hot springs and excellent food.
What makes it special is how easily those elements fit together. The mountain is adventurous without feeling inaccessible. The trip from Tokyo is fast, yet the resort feels far removed from the city. Serious riders can search for fresh powder while beginners and families enjoy the same winter landscape at their own pace.
Then, when the lifts close, everyone returns to the same pleasures: a steaming onsen, a generous meal and the possibility that a fresh layer of Madapow will be waiting in the morning.
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