DESTINATION 2026-27
Ten metres of snow a season, twelve tree-run courses, with an on-slope hotel means your commute from bed to lift is measured in steps, not shuttle buses. Here are the conditions, the prices and the timetables — before you book.
DESTINATION 2026-27
Madarao joins the Ikon Pass for winter 2026-27. Enjoy endless tree runs and deep powder.
| Pass Type | Days Included |
|---|---|
| Ikon Pass | 7 Days |
| Ikon Base Pass | 5 Days |
| Ikon Session Pass | Not included |
Friends & Family rates for the 2026-27 season are to be announced.
No advance resort reservations are required for Ikon Pass holders to ski at Madarao.
Direct to Lift: your pass is your ticket.
Make sure you have your physical Ikon Pass on you.
No ticket window, no exchange. Proceed directly to the lift.
Scan your pass at the gate and enjoy the powder.
Madarao is joining the Ikon Pass for the winter 2026-27 season. Specific access days and ticket pickup instructions are currently being finalized by Alterra Mountain Company. Please check back soon or visit the official Ikon Pass website for updates.
VISIT IKONPASS.COMThe Mountain
Madarao was the first resort in Japan to open its tree runs. Twelve gladed courses through birch and beech are named, mapped and patrolled — wild riding, without the guesswork.
Clouds cross the Sea of Japan and meet the first ridge tall enough to stop them. That ridge is Madarao. What falls, from late December through March, is the softest powder snow — reliable, frequent, and 10 metres deep.
Subject to change depending on snow conditions.
SNOW RECORD
Three sections along one lift line: a snow park of rails, boxes and jumps for first-timers; a terrain park that reads the natural rolls of the hillside; and a mogul course shaped by an Olympic mogul skier from Madarao itself.
Items and opening vary with the snowfall — the daily slope condition board carries the current build.
The base area is a broad, gently pitched bowl within sight of the hotel terrace — the easiest place in the region to put a family on snow for the first time. For 2026-27 it grows into a dedicated snow play area: a new 100-metre moving belt, a larger sledding slope and a beginners-only course, with a kamakura dining area and food trucks in front of the hotel.
Stay & Ski
Your pass is your ticket — just book your room. Dinner and breakfast at the hotel, with your lift access already covered by the Ikon Pass.
Late-January midweek rates, two sharing. Rates vary by date — see live availability.
For friends and family travelling without an Ikon Pass. The same half board, with a lift ticket attached to the stay.
Late-January midweek rates, two sharing. Rates vary by date — see live availability.
For evenings out and early starts before the dining room opens. Take the room on its own, or add breakfast and leave the evening free.
Late-January midweek rates, two sharing. Rates vary by date — see live availability.
Madarao Kogen Hotel
The hotel stands on the slope, so you click in at the front door, ski one run down to the lift, and come back to the hot spring inside the same building.
Off the Slopes
Recover in Madarao's alkaline hot springs. Free for hotel guests, with indoor and open-air baths overlooking the snowy forest.
Multiple options from casual burgers to traditional Japanese set meals, all within walking distance of the slopes.
Take a shuttle to Iiyama City for authentic local dining, or join a day tour to the world-famous Snow Monkeys.
Lift Passes
Published window rates for the 2026–27 season, in Japanese yen and including tax.
On an Ikon Pass, your lift access is already covered.
| Pass | Adult 13+ | Senior 55+ | Child 6–12 | Age 5 & under |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain PassMadarao Kogen and Tangram Ski Circus, all lifts | ||||
| 1 day08:30 – 16:30 | ¥9,000 | ¥8,500 | ¥6,000 | ¥1,000 |
| 2 daysConsecutive days | ¥17,000 | ¥16,000 | ¥11,000 | ¥2,000 |
| 3 daysConsecutive days | ¥24,000 | ¥22,500 | ¥15,000 | ¥3,000 |
| Season pass12 Dec 2026 – 28 Mar 2027, non-transferable | ¥77,000 | ¥70,000 | ¥36,500 | ¥9,000 |
| Area PassMadarao Kogen only — hours are consumed in one-hour units, any day of the season | ||||
| Single rideOne lift | ¥700 | ¥700 | ¥700 | ¥700 |
| 3 hoursSold from 12:00 | ¥4,400 | ¥4,100 | ¥3,200 | — |
| 5 hours | ¥7,400 | ¥6,800 | ¥4,700 | — |
| 7 hours | ¥8,800 | ¥8,100 | ¥5,900 | — |
| 14 hours | ¥16,100 | ¥15,400 | ¥11,000 | — |
| 24 hours | ¥27,600 | ¥26,400 | ¥18,800 | — |
| Night16:30 – 21:00, day of use only | ¥3,500 | ¥3,000 | ¥2,500 | ¥1,000 |
Madarao Kogen and Tangram Ski Circus, all lifts.
Madarao Kogen only. Hours are consumed in one-hour units and can be used on any day of the season.
¥700 — all ages
Adult 13+ / Senior 55+ / Child 6–12
Rental & School
Shirakaba Rental is run by the resort itself and opens 08:30–16:30. Its test centre has moved to the Powder Station inside Restaurant Heidi at the centre of the slope, which opens 09:00–16:00 and carries powder skis, fat skis and the latest brand models to test. Cards, IC cards and QR payment are all accepted.
Each further day is charged at a lower rate, and a four-hour rate is available. Skis, boards, boots and poles can also be hired separately. Goggles, hats and gloves are not rented, but are sold in the shop.
SHIRAKABA RENTAL
Two independent schools operate at Madarao, both with English-speaking instructors for group and private lessons. Each sets its own rates and takes its own bookings, so reserve directly — and early for February.
Getting Here
Shinkansen to Iiyama in 110 minutes, then thirty minutes by bus or taxi — 2h 20m, Tokyo Station to the resort.
Take a Hakutaka bound for Kanazawa or Tsuruga and get off at Iiyama. From ¥8,360 one way (reserved seat ¥9,090); reserved seats recommended in peak season. Hakutaka 553, leaving Tokyo at 07:52, is the first service with a bus waiting at Iiyama; the earlier 06:28 departure lands before the first connecting bus, so plan on a taxi if you take it.
The Madarao bus leaves from the station forecourt and signage is bilingual, but buses meet only the major arrivals, so the wait can be anything from a few minutes to an hour. Check the seasonal timetable against your train before you book.
Four winter buses a day are timed to Shinkansen arrivals — check the seasonal timetable against your train. Taxis (about ¥5,000, 30 min) run anytime, with no timetable to work around.
110 minutes from Tokyo to Iiyama by Shinkansen, then 30 minutes by bus or taxi to the resort — 2h 20m in total. With check-in, rental fitting and tickets on arrival, a morning train from Tokyo generally means an afternoon first run.
Monorail and JR to Tokyo Station, then as above.
Narita Express to Tokyo Station, then as above.
Direct winter buses from Haneda and Narita, advance booking required.
Joshinetsu Expressway to Toyota-Iiyama IC, then about 20 minutes; allow longer in snowfall. Winter tyres or chains essential; free parking on site.
Good to Know
The questions our overseas guests send us most often. If yours is not here, our reservations desk replies in English within one working day.
RESORT FACILITIES A–ZThe 2026-27 season opens. Lifts run subject to early snow conditions.
Evening sessions run from 26 December to 2 January, then on 9 and 10 January.
Fireworks over the slope once night skiing closes at 21:00.
Primary-school children and under ride the lifts free on the third Sunday of every month, December through March. A free voucher is issued through a dedicated site.
Nagano's Snow Day. One visitor is drawn on the day to win a 2027-28 season pass.
The last day of the winter season, snow conditions permitting.
Winter 2026–27
Official-site rates, English confirmation within 24 hours, free cancellation up to seven days before arrival.