Madarao Mountain Resort is located in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture, between Nozawa Onsen and Myoko Kogen. It is in the heart of Northern Nagano, where the cold Siberian winds come off the Japan Sea and drop a lot of snow. It is not unusual to have 10 to 13 metres of snow in the average ski season in Madarao. Madarao Mountain Resort is at the base of Mt. Madarao, which stands 1382 meters tall. The resort has 30 separate courses and there are 15 lifts. It is connected to Tangram Ski Circus, which has another 15 trails and 5 lifts. So you can access two world class resorts and 45 separate trails on the one mountain. The Madarao Mountain Pass allows patrons to access both mountains on the same ticket!
MADARAO MOUNTAIN RESORTAt Madarao Mountain Resort there are 17 ungroomed courses, four powder snow courses, 11 tree run courses and the Freeride Park, which has a number of different jumps, kickers, rails and boxes. In Madarao Mountain Resort, two thirds of the courses are ungroomed, so it is a paradise for powder junkies. The Crystal Bowl is Madarao ski resort`s steepest slope and offers a challenging 36 degree pitch. So advanced skiers have plenty to keep them amused, especially if there is a big snow dump. Madarao Mountain Resort also offers free daily snowboarding lessons for beginners. There are also groomed courses for intermediate and beginner skiers, as well as a Kid’s Park, so that Madarao can be enjoyed by skiers and boarders of all levels. Tree runs are a big part of why powder lovers would want to stay in Madarao. `Burn the Trees' and 'Madapow' have been phrases that the mountain have used to embrace the love of trees and powder here. Over the past few years, several designated tree runs have been introduced at Madarao Mountain Resort. These family friendly tree runs allow you to start skiing or boarding in the trees in a safe, supervised environment. They are designed so that there is better access to them, as well as to make it easier to exit after your run. They are also swept by ski patrol at the end of the day so as you won't get left behind in the forest. The easier tree runs include the Sawa natural half-pipe course, the Ninja course, the Kamoshika run, the Crystal Bowl course, the Rabbit run and Kamoshika. For the more advanced, try Riverline or Powder Wave I and II. For those who want even more of a challenge, the back country awaits! |
TANGRAM SKI CIRCUSTangram Ski Circus bills itself as a family resort, but it also has an amazing array of terrain, particularly tree run courses, that combined with the courses at Madarao Mountain Resort, make for awesome day on the mountain. This resort has 5 lifts and 15 different groomed courses. It is a North East facing slope so the powder remains in tact for most of the day, so you can even get good conditions in the late afternoon. The ski slope is right in front of the hotel so it is great for families. It is well equipped for children with a playground and a nursery and has a great restaurant and hot spring facilities. So it is excellent place for a parent and the kids to relax while the other is out on the slopes. The slopes also afford picturesque views of the surrounding areas including Lake Nojiri and Mt. Myoko. The top Tangram Number 2 lift on a clear day gives one of the most spectacular skyline views in Nagano and Niigata. Tangram Ski Circus has great slopes catering to skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. They have opened a whole range of new tree run courses through the forested portions of the hill. What was once off limits and only available to those daring enough to take on the ski patrollers, is now open for general use in most parts of the resort. But be careful, the tree skiing can be quite treacherous in parts, so definitely only for advanced skiers and boarders, and never go into those trees on your own. The resort also offers snowmobiling and snow rafting and a range of other winter activities that can keep the family occupied when they are not on the mountain. |
Official Promotion Video for Madarao Mountain Ski Resort
Hot Springs or "Onsen"
Japan is full of natural hot springs or onsen in Japanese. There is a famous Japanese expression " hadaka no o-tsukiai wo shimashou!", which means basically means "lets make friends in the nude!". They are an integral part of the Japanese ski season.
At Tangram Ski Circus the Tokyu hotel has a great hot spring right at the ski hill. So you can get warm and soothe your aching muscles right after skiing. There is also a great hot spring at Madarao Kogen Hotel as well as at Monaile Apartments. Just ask at front desk and bring a small towel. There is a small additional fee for the bath. If you have access to a car, Madarao-no-yu is another fantastic onsen spa that is just 5 minutes down the hill from Madarao Mountain Resort. If you can go 15 minutes in a car, Momijiso onsen is another great option and an interesting way to meet the locals.
At Tangram Ski Circus the Tokyu hotel has a great hot spring right at the ski hill. So you can get warm and soothe your aching muscles right after skiing. There is also a great hot spring at Madarao Kogen Hotel as well as at Monaile Apartments. Just ask at front desk and bring a small towel. There is a small additional fee for the bath. If you have access to a car, Madarao-no-yu is another fantastic onsen spa that is just 5 minutes down the hill from Madarao Mountain Resort. If you can go 15 minutes in a car, Momijiso onsen is another great option and an interesting way to meet the locals.
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