Madarao Kogen

🏔️ History
Located on the border between the Niigata and Nagano prefectures, Madarao Kogen was established during the Japanese ski boom in the 1970s. In recent years, it has gained international fame by becoming one of the pioneer resorts in Japan to officially open and promote off-piste tree skiing.

☀️ Best days
January and February. During the deep winter, it is repeatedly hit by Siberian storm systems that dump immense quantities of ultra-dry powder snow (affectionately known by locals and visitors as "Madapow").

🚫 Days to avoid
Madarao is generally uncrowded. However, you should avoid the Japanese New Year holiday period, when domestic tourism surges and the limited local accommodation and dining options become completely saturated.

💡 Community tip
This is a world-class destination for tree skiing. The resort actively maintains and "glades" its forests, allowing you to surf through the powder safely. The mountain is shaped like a bowl, meaning almost all off-piste routes safely funnel back to the base. Be sure to buy the combined lift pass to access the interconnected Tangram Ski Circus right over the ridge!