Myoko Kogen Cross-Country, Nordic, Telemark & Japan Back Country Ski

Madarao-Kogen and Myoko-Kogen, Japan: Back Country Ski Overview

The Myoko Mountain range lies close to the Japan Sea and includes several high summits, including Myoko, Mitahara, Akakura, Kurohime, Mae and Maru. This proximity to the ocean draws in heavy snows - an arguably weak point that is however more than made up for in the sheer volume that falls. It’s not uncommon to witness a metre of fresh fall in one night, so those heading off-course are encouraged to pay close attention to the weather and avalanche signs. The upper hills run along the top of the forest line and feature a wide variety of trees and terrain, with a slope that allows for comfortable speeds. Most visitors to the Madarao and Myoko back country tend to explore the deep powder fields by first heading up the lift line.

Myoko Cross Country Courses

Area: Myoko Pine Valley Ski Area Cross Country Course
Telephone: 0255 82 4111
Location: 19km from Myoko Kogen IC (Joshinetsu Expressway) - See Access Map
Season: Mid December – Late March
Opening times: 9:00am-4:00pm
Course length: 1km
Cost: None
Guided tour or school: Available
Comments: Suitable for x-country beginners

Area: Ikenotaira Shirakaba Cross Country Ski Course
Telephone: 0255 86 2871
Location: 2.5km from Myoko Kogen IC (Joshinetsu Expressway) - See Access Map
Opening times: Varies
Season: Mid December-Mid March
Opening times: Varies
Courses available: 3km & 5km courses
Cost: None
Guided tour or school: Unknown
Comments:Popular course with a number of held here.

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Area: Togakushi X-Country Ski Area
Telephone: 026 254 2888
Location: 30km from Nagano IC (Joshinetsu Expressway) See Access Map
Season: Early December – Mid April
Opening times: 8:00am-5:00pm
Courses available: A variety of routes and lengths. Some are in the lower forest near Okusha Iriguchi bus stop. Cedar grove lines trail up the hill to the Okusha temple.
Cost: None
Guided tour or school: Available
Comments: Watch out for the wildlife!

Areas: Kurohime Kogen Ski Area & Douwanomori Snow Wave
Telephone: 026 255 6720
Location: 4km from Shinano-machi IC (Joshinetsu Expressway) See Access Map
Season: Mid December – Late March
Opening times: 9:30am-4:00pm
Courses available: 3km (beginner), 5km (intermediate, advanced)
Cost: 300 yen
Guided tour or school: Available
Comments: Tours available…ask for details.

Myoko Kogen Back Country Ski School

Myoko Backcountry Ski School (MBSS) is now in its 21st year. MBSS was the founding centre for freeheel ski instruction in Japan. Their TAJ-certified instructors and experienced backcountry guides will help you improve your telemark skiing as well as share some of Myoko's great Japan backcountry routes with you!

If you need more information one can email or phone (see below). Please note however that English-speaking staff are not always on duty. MBSS looks forward to skiing with you in Myoko!

Costs: Forty minute sessions for Y3,000, back country tours starting at Y9,000 (3 people), private guiding Y25,000 per day and snow hiking Y8,000. This season MBSS is offering 500 yen discount for their back country tours to Ski the Heart of Japan members - quote the code 'STHOJ' when booking. To reserve, please call (in Japanese) to 0255-87-2392 or through Akakura Yours Inn, 0255-87-2427, or by email to mbss@myokokogen.org

Read a review of MBSS here

Hillman Adventures - Madarao Kogen Back Country

Enjoy easy and fun Back Country Ski Tours in Madarao Kogen with Hillman Adventures. From the top of the ski lift skiers hike to the very top of Mount Madarao (see photo below). From there you’ll experience a fun back country ride with a tree course and natural half pipe as well as an encounter with ‘Tarzan’ and ‘Big Rock’!

The half-day (9.30-12.30) tour cost is 6,300 yen
The day tour (9.30-15.00) tour cost is 12,300 yen

Both tours include beacon rental and insurance but you need to bring your own lunch and snacks. Minimum age is 16 + and at least two people in a group needed.

Address: 2425 Madarao-kogen Hotel, Iiyama-shi, Nagano-ken, Japan
Telephone: +81 (0)50 55326460
Email: kitamura@madarao.jp
Web: Hillman Adventures (Japanese only)

See the Hillman Adventures back country tour photo gallery

SARC Telemarkers - Seki Onsen Back Country

If you have good Japanese you can also contact Kuga Hiromichi at SARC Telemarkers in Seki Onsen. One of their Japan back-country ski videos is below.
Telephone：+ 81 (0)80-1968-1829　
E-mail： sarc-kuga@telemarkers.com
Address: Seki Onsen Ski Area, Myoko-shi, Niigata-ken 〒949-2235

Myoko Back Country Journals & Photo Galleries

For a sample of some backcountry skiiing around Mount Takatsuma (in between Hakuba and Myoko) check out this Japan back country page.

Seki Onsen photo journal - some back country shots in and around Seki Onsen with another smaller photo gallery here.

Madarao photo journal - back country ski touring around Madarao in Iiyama with Hillman Adventures