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takaokun / CC BY 2.0
Madarao Kogen Snow Resort
斑尾高原スキー場Nagano · Chubu
Madarao is a mid-sized mountain on the Nagano–Niigata border above Iiyama, built around a compact highland village of lodges rather than a hotel strip, and it made its name by opening more than thirty marked tree runs across the forested lower half of the hill. The pitch is moderate and the trees are widely spaced, which makes it one of the more forgiving places in Japan to ski powder off-piste for the first time. It is lift-linked to the neighbouring Tangram area on the Niigata side. Lifts usually run from mid-December to late March, with dates set by snowfall each season.
- Best season
- Winter
- Crowd level
- Hidden gem
- Opening hours
- Daily 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Admission
- A lift pass is required; a combined Madarao and Tangram ticket covers both linked areas.
- Nearest station
- Iiyama Station
- Website
- madarao.jp/ski
Usual hours — confirm with the official site for holidays + seasonal closures.
Today
8:30–16:30Stored weekly hours
Daily 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Seasonal hours
- Lift operating hours in the winter season; tree-run areas open only once the patrol judges the base deep enough.
Tags
skihidden gem
Location
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