More tree-skiing zones than any other resort in Japan — a small, unglamorous mountain that rewards exactly one type of skier (the patient powder one).
Runs
28
Vertical
440m
Summit
1382m
Base 942m
Annual snow
12m/season
Popular
Best season Mid-December to late March
Why Madarao Kogen
More tree-skiing zones than any other resort in Japan — a small, unglamorous mountain that rewards exactly one type of skier (the patient powder one).
More tree runs than any other resort in Japan
Plan your trip
Madarao Kogen has more tree skiing than any other resort in Japan — gated 'powder zones' across the back face. Iiyama Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen) is 110 min from Tokyo, then 30 min by Notoma Bus.
Trains, shuttles, and rentals from the airport.
Notoma Bus links Iiyama, Madarao, and Nozawa Onsen — single fare ¥1,200 to either resort, no transfer needed.
Hand-picked stays across the resort's two zones.
Madarao Kogen Hotel (THE MADARAO) plus a cluster of small lodges and pensions at the resort base — ski-in/ski-out and walkable to the lifts.
Terrain in detail
SeriousPlenty for advanced skiers — proper black runs, real consequence. Difficulty, powder character, and the stats that matter on the mountain itself.
Hardcore index
60
Plenty for advanced skiers — proper black runs, real consequence.
From terrain split, run profile, vertical drop, expert features.
Powder profile
Inland alpine — variable depending on storm direction.
Drier on cold storms, deeper when the Sea of Japan fires.
12
m
per season
Frequent deep days through midwinter
Expert runs
10 of 28
Estimated from advanced terrain split.
Vertical drop
440m
Compact mountain.
Steepest pitch
—
Pitch not published.
Backcountry gates
None
In-bounds skiing only.
Tree skiing
Yes
Tagged for proper tree runs.
Moguls
Few
Mostly cord and powder.
Best for
Terrain & features
Photo: Ski Mania / Public domain · Source
Getting there
Nearest airport, train and bus options, and what the drive looks like in winter conditions.
From airport
2 hours by Shinkansen + bus from Tokyo
Train / bus
Shuttle from JR Iiyama Shinkansen Station 2 hours by Shinkansen + bus from Tokyo
Overview
Shuttle from JR Iiyama Shinkansen Station
From airport
2 hours by Shinkansen + bus from Tokyo
Live conditions
Off-seasonThe mountain is resting.
Next season
Opens late November
Current temp 17°C, wind 7 km/h. We’ll resume the daily report once snowfall picks up.
Forecast data via Open-Meteo. Refreshes hourly. Always verify with the resort before driving up.
Nearby resorts
More resorts in Nagano
destination resort
Hakuba's crown jewel and 1998 Olympic venue, offering Japan's most challenging piste skiing with epic vertical.
resort town
Two interconnected Hakuba faces — 47's terrain park and Goryu's wide groomers under one lift ticket, plus the valley's best night-skiing.
powder-focused
The snowiest resort in Hakuba Valley and Japan's finest steep in-bounds tree skiing — the Hotel Green Plaza at the base makes it the most underrated ski-in option in the country.
family-focused
Japan's widest beginner piste, plus the Tsugaike DBD — lift-served backcountry zone on the top of the mountain. Rare resort that works for a first-timer AND a freerider.
Trail map
Open full sizeReady to book?
Stays, lift passes, rentals — everything you need in one place.
Book & plan
At the resort
Book accommodationOfficial resort siteGetting there
Domestic flights to Tokyo HanedaNagano airport transfers
