Madarao Ski Holidays
Japan
In the heart of the Japanese Alps, Madarao ski holidays offer a powder and tree skiing paradise. With vast glades, an enviable snow record and the linked slopes of Tangram, this mountain resort packs a big punch.
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Powder
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Off the Beaten Track
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Once-in-a-Lifetime
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Luxury
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Learn to Ski
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Honeymoons
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Culture
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Village Charm
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Family Friendly
Madarao Mountain Resort is one of Japan’s powder hotpots, receiving an impressive 10-13 metres of snowfall each winter. Thanks to its predominantly north-facing slopes, the resort holds onto its light, dry powder long after each storm, creating ideal conditions for days spent floating through deep snow.
Linked on the same mountain, Tangram Resort adds even more variety. The two resorts share a single lift pass, making it easy to move seamlessly between them and enjoy a diverse mix of terrain in one ski day.
Across both areas, gentle lower slopes provide a welcoming introduction to Japanese powder for intermediates and families, while still offering easy access to off-piste zones for those ready to venture a little further. 60% of the resort's courses are ungroomed, and combined with uncrowded slopes, you'll have little competition for first tracks on deep and fluffy powder.
Madarao has also built a strong reputation for its exceptional tree skiing, with expansive glades and ever-evolving terrain that invite confident skiers to explore beyond the piste in a safe, accessible way.
Reaching Madarao is straightforward, with a scenic and speedy journey from Tokyo via bullet train, followed by a short transfer. Its location also makes it an ideal base for exploring nearby resorts. During January and February, you can catch a shuttle to Nozawa Onsen for a day trip of epic skiing. If you'd prefer experiencing multiple ski areas in one trip, we'd recommend hiring a car and self-driving to these resorts.
Accommodation in Madarao and Tangram
Neither Madarao nor Tangram have huge resort towns, so we recommend you stay in one of the main hotels on each side. Accommodation options reflect the dual character of the destination: Madarao offers a relaxed, village-style atmosphere with the Madarao Kogen Hotel, while Tangram delivers a more luxurious experience with the larger Hotel Tangram & Resort.
Both have all the dining options and facilities you’ll need within walking distance.
Our Prices
Every holiday is tailor-made, just for you.
To give you the most choice and best value, we create every holiday from scratch. This means that the quotation you receive is unique, based on your preferred departure dates, group size and holiday preferences.
We save you time and get the most for your money.
We do all the hard work for you, sifting through the prices and promotions for every airline, hotel and resort, exploring all options. We don’t publish all our prices online, just enough to give you an idea of costs.
Madarao Ski Offers
See our Madarao offers for some excellent savings and superb package prices.
Giving you the best available prices, these offers are based on our lowest cost departure dates. We can save you money on many other dates and properties but we can't show every single offer here - for more options, please call us on 01273 224060 or request a quotation.
Resort Guide
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Nearest airport
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Madarao Photo Gallery
FAQs
Frequently asked customer questions about Madarao ski holidays. Simply click on a question to reveal the answer.
Have a question not answered below? We have first-hand experience of skiing here and we’re happy to help. Call 01273 224060 or send us a message.
The easiest route is to fly direct from London Heathrow to Tokyo Haneda (approx. 14 hours). When you land in Tokyo, take the Monorail and rail link to Tokyo Station (or if you have ski/snowboard bags, we can arrange a taxi transfer for you).
From Tokyo Station, take the bullet train to Iiyama Station, taking just under 2 hours. From there, it’s a short transfer to your accommodation in Madarao or Tangram.
Tokyo Haneda Airport.
Typically, Madarao's slopes open mid-December, depending on recent snowfall.
The ski season typically ends late March or early April, much like many ski resorts in the Alps.
Naeba runs on Japan Standard Time (JST), which is 8 hours ahead of the UK during British Summer Time (BST) and 9 hours ahead during Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
While Madarao is a popular ski resort to experience Japanese culture and local language, the staff are accustomed to serving international guests. In practice, you’ll be able to get by with English for the essentials. As with anywhere in Japan, it’s important to be mindful of local customs, including onsen etiquette, removing shoes in certain settings, and general respectful behaviour in shared spaces. Our team has extensive experience in Japan, including having lived there, and we’re on hand to help you navigate the culture with ease.
Absolutely! Thanks to its central location, you can easily access several world-class destinations from Madarao, including Shiga Kogen (home to 18 ski zones), Nozawa Onsen, and Myoko Kogen. These resorts can be visited in day trips, but for maximum flexibility, renting a car from Iiyama or Nagano is a fantastic way to tie all of these resorts into one tailored ski safari. We can arrange this for you!
Interested?
Let’s start crafting your perfect tailor-made ski holiday
Every holiday is tailor-made, just for you. Our ski specialists will look at your enquiry and will be in touch within a day or two. We promise it's worth the wait!