Sun, Aug 2 Today
24° 20°
Wind 9 km/h
Precipitation 3 mm
Snowfall 0 cm
Slopes
30 km Green
6 km 6 pistas
Blue
9 km 10 pistas
Red
10.5 km 8 pistas
Black
4.5 km 3 pistas
Season 2025/2026
December 15, 2025
April 1, 2026
Community Scores
Not enough reviews to compute scores yet.
Information & Sources
Máxima 1350m
Mínima 900m
Vertical drop
450 m
Desnivel
Ski Map
FORFAIT PASS
Precio/Día
Resort website ¥6,500
≈ 41€
Weather
7-day forecast
Forecast detailed → Week outlook Check the detailed forecast
Storm risk Up to 22 mm of precipitation
Mon, Aug 3
24° 19°
Wind 8 km/h
Precipitation 0 mm
Snowfall 0 cm
Tue, Aug 4
27° 16°
Wind 8 km/h
Precipitation 0 mm
Snowfall 0 cm
Wed, Aug 5
27° 16°
Wind 9 km/h
Precipitation 1 mm
Snowfall 0 cm
Thu, Aug 6
27° 19°
Wind 9 km/h
Precipitation 8 mm
Snowfall 0 cm
Fri, Aug 7
25° 19°
Wind 7 km/h
Precipitation 12 mm
Snowfall 0 cm
Sat, Aug 8
22° 18°
Wind 8 km/h
Precipitation 22 mm
Snowfall 0 cm
Source: Open-Meteo
About the resort
🏔️ 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!
Nearest Airports
Tokyo Haneda Airport
HND 240 min drive 170 min by train
Tokyo Narita Airport
NRT 270 min drive 200 min by train
Train Stations
JR Iiyama Station (Shinkansen)
Direct transfer available 30 min drive transfer
🚗 Driving from Tokyo or Nagano: Madarao Kogen sits right on the border of Nagano and Niigata prefectures. Driving from Tokyo takes roughly 3.5 - 4 hours via the Kanetsu Expressway and then the Joshin-etsu Expressway, exiting at Toyota-Iiyama. Having a rental car here is phenomenal because it allows you to ski not just Madarao and interconnected Tangram, but also take easy day trips to nearby Nozawa Onsen or the Myoko Kogen valley (both under 40 mins away).
⚠️ The Steep Access Roads: The final climb up from Iiyama City to Madarao involves a steep, winding mountain road full of switchbacks. Madarao receives immense amounts of snow (which is why you go!), so this road is almost always slick and snow-covered. Absolutely ensure your rental car has premium studless winter tires fitted (especially if renting down in Tokyo).
Local Tips
💡 Combined Tangram Passes: Madarao is physically connected at the summit with another resort called Tangram Ski Circus. Absolutely make sure you buy the combined "Madarao & Tangram All Mountain Pass." Tangram adds a lot of terrain and fast lifts, and if you accidentally cross the boundary into Tangram without the right pass, you cannot ride the chairlift back up.
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