If you would like to visit many different snow resorts in Nagano and Niigata, Madarao Kogen is the most central base. Madarao Kogen gets as good snow as other well known snow resorts in Japan but it's less known, which means less westerners and less crowds.   Madarao is surrounded by all the major snow resorts such as Nozawa Onsen, Shiga Kogen, Myoko Kogen and the snow monkeys and Zenkoji Temple all within 60 minutes.

There is a  shuttle bus service owned by the local pension owners, which is called "Classic Ski Resort Tours". Bookings can be made at your accommodation.

Schedule (09/10 season)

1. Monday - N/A
2. Tuesday - Myoko Kogen one day tour - 3,000 yen p/p
3. Wednesday - Snow monkey park & Obuse - 3,000 yen p/p
4. Thursday - Nozawa Onsen one day tour - 3,000 yen p/p
5. Friday - N/A
6. Saturday - Maradao Back Country Tour - 6,000 yen p/p
7. Sunday - Madarao Back Country Tour - 6,000 yen p/p

(*Lift passes, park entries are not included.)

Classic Ski Resort Tours also operates back country tours.  The experienced guides are the local pension owners.  They know exactly where to go depending on the weather conditions and your skiing or snowboarding level. Bookings can be made at your accommodation.

Just check what you get by joining their back country tours.

Some more pictures of Madarao Kogen sent by Fujio Pension

To book this tour, simply book accommodation with one of the lodges which are operating this service!!

Classic ski resort tours : Fujio Pension,  Alpenrose.