Myoko Kogen Ski Resorts Guide
Madarao Kogen Ski Resort
Japanese Toilet Madarao 斑尾 Ski Jump story is here!
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Madarao Kogen Ski Resort (斑尾高原スキー場) is a unique bowl shape resort with 22 separate courses best suited to intermediate skiers and snowboarders, but there is some terrain for beginners and some fairly steep runs for advanced skiers and snowboarders. Mt. Madarao reaches a height of 1,382 meters tall and has 16 lifts, all of which are free for children 12 and under. The usual consensus is that this resort is usually uncrowded during weekdays with a good selection of runs, some nicely groomed trails (although 60% of the courses are ungroomed), and there are also very impressive views of Mt Myoko on a clear day.Madarao Kogen Ski Resort is quite near to Nagano City as well as the resorts in Myoko, Niigata as well as Nozawa Onsen.
For the 08/09 season there are two new courses to try out in Madarao Kogen. Specifically constructed more for advanced skiers and snowboarders, the 'Air Wave' and 'Usagi' (rabbit) courses are ungroomed courses. Air Wave boasts moguls, opportunities for 'air' and tree runs - a powder snow paradise. The Usagi is bit easier so more suited to those looking to try out ungroomed areas without getting into too much difficulty. Madarao-Kogen is connected to Tangram Ski Circus Resort at the top of the mountain and a joint ticket is available to let you ski or snowboard both. Back Country ski tours in Madarao Kogen can be booked via Hillman Tours.
For anyone wanting to ski with young families, kids under 12 ski for FREE and there is also childcare and a kids park available. Next to the kids park, Restaurant Tyrol has a kids room and other child services available. Lift and food prices are reasonable, plus there are discounts for seniors over 58 yrs old. On Fridays from January 23rd to March 6th, the mysterious "Snow Dome Candle Bar" will make an appearance on the resort.
Update this information or discuss Madarao in our ski forums.
Resort STATS:
Longest Run: 2,500 metres
Half Pipes: Yes
Child Care and/or Kids Park: Yes
Cross-country available: Yes
Elevation: 1,350 metres
Vertical Drop: 440 metres
Terrain Parks: Yes
- Giant Course (Freeride Park) - table top, 1/4 pipe, hip spine, rail, box, kicker, hip
SKI RUNS:
Lifts: 16 Trails: 17 (Beg:30% Int:45% Adv:25%)
Lift Tickets 2009/10:* |
Average Snow Depth |
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| One Day Ticket: | ¥4,500 | Dec | 25 cm |
| Half Day Ticket: | ¥3,800 | Jan | 200 cm |
| Two Day Ticket: | ¥8,200 | Feb | 270 cm |
| Three Day Ticket: | ¥11,900 | Mar | 260 cm |
| Night Ticket (nighta) | ¥1,500 | Apr | 200 cm |
| Season Pass | ¥48,000 | ||
| Resort Course Maps Here (Japanese) (.pdf) (English) | |||
Madarao Kogen & Tangram Ski resort joint ticket 2009/10
| Type | Adult | Senior | Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half Day Ticket: | ¥3,800 | ¥3,300 | 8:30am-1pm or 12pm-5pm |
| One Day Ticket: | ¥4,500 | ¥3,900 | 8:30am-5pm (excluding nighta as above) |
| Two Day Ticket: | ¥8,200 | ¥7,100 | |
| Three Day Ticket: | ¥11,900 | ¥10,200 |
Madarao Kogen Resort Contact:
Phone: 0269-64-3214 | Website
ACCESS:
Nearest station: Thirty minutes by bus, car or taxi from Iiyama Station on the JR Iiyama line. Check train directions to Nagano and Iiyama from Tokyo and Osaka here.
Catch a Dentetsu bus from Nagano Station: Nagaden Bus runs two express buses to Madarao Kogen from Nagano Station each day and return during winter from the East (Higashi) exit of Nagano Station (Bus stop 3 or 4 - check map). Adult fare is 1,400 yen and child over 5 is 700 yen (reservations are needed). Nagaden also run services from Nagano to Nozawa Onsen via Iiyama. Check here and here for timetables. Costs per person on this service is also 1,400 yen one way. Travelling time is approximately 80-90 minutes.
Direct bus to Madarao from Narita Airport: Japan Ski Bus now runs a direct shuttle from Tokyo Narita Airport to Madarao ski area, as well as Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen and Shiga Kogen. One way is 8,500 yen and return 15,000 yen. See the Japan Ski Bus site for more details and online bookings.
Access Map
Tokyo Ski Buses to Madarao Kogen Ski Area
Between December and April Ski Bus Club runs both night and day bus services between Tokyo Station, Shinjuku and Ikebukero to the Madarao ski areas. They also run services from the same locations to Tangram.
Travex runs a ski bus service direct from Tokyo Station or Ikebukero to the following ski resort areas - Kurohime-Kogen, Myoko Kogen resorts and Tangram Ski Circus. Another service is provided for the Madarao ski areas.
The cost for both services is also 4,000 yen one way or 7,500 yen return.
Madarao Kogen Live Web Cam
Madarao Kogen Ski Video - From Fujio Pension
Click here to see TEN more places to stay near Madarao Kogen Ski Resort
Click on the links for further details, prices and availability.
Madarao, Tangram & Iiyama Hotel and Accommodation MapView a larger Madarao, Tangram & Iiyama Hotel and Accommodation Map |
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Featured Property Pension Four Seasons - You can enjoy the nearby ski slopes in winter or the cool of the summer highlands. The property is separated into two buildings with rooms or a log cabin available. The six rooms can sleep 2 to 4 people and breakfast is included. The independent log house has two bedrooms plus living area, kitchen and bathroom. Alight at JR Iiyama Station and take a bus to Madarao-kogen. |
| Click here to see TEN more places to stay near Madarao Kogen Ski Resort | |
Madarao Kogen Photo Gallery - Click here
Plus check out this Madarao photo journal of back country ski touring around Madarao
Madarao-Kogen Toilet Ski Jump
While skiing don't forget to visit the ski-jump toilet :) This attention-grabbing toilet, which include a pair of skis printed on the floor, are designed to provide their target customers an 'extra thrill' as they take care of personal ablutions.
Ski jump toilet at Madarao Kogen Ski Resort [Image courtesy of Re-Ski]
Georgia Max Coffee chose to redesign the toilets of a number of key ski resorts in Japan. The cubicles were fully wrapped on all sides, so that the person caught short would have a ski jumper’s view when they were sitting on the loo. The person could look down at their skis (simply printed on the floor of the cubicle) and see the steep ski jump slope ahead of them. The toilet paper holder carried the only brand messaging in the cubicle, reading: “Seriously kick-ass intensely sweet for the real coffee super zinging unstoppable Max! Taste-explosion!”
