Madarao is a 44-run mountain in Nagano Prefecture, running from 910 metres to 1,350 metres for a 440-metre vertical spread over 125 hectares. Terrain is spread evenly, with 30% beginner, 35% intermediate, 30% advanced and 5% expert. The 14 lifts include four quad chairs, six doubles, three triples and a single, enough to keep lines short on most days. Madarao has built its reputation on forest skiing, with a large network of natural tree runs threaded between the groomed pistes. It is a wide, friendly area where skiers who like variety will find plenty to explore over several days.

Look for the named tree zones such as Ninja, a sidecountry-style area, Sawa, a natural half-pipe gully, and gentler glades including Crystal Bowl, Usagi and Riverline, where slopes sit in a moderate pitch. Madarao links to neighbouring Tangram on a shared pass, which widens the choice of runs. Night skiing runs on selected dates through winter, so check the calendar before relying on it. This is a good match for intermediates stepping into trees for the first time, and for advanced skiers who want gladed terrain with an easy escape back to groomed runs. Wear a helmet in the forest zones.

The 2025-2026 season operates 5 December 2025 to 29 March 2026, delivering 115 lift-served days across mid-winter and spring conditions. Historical opening ranges from mid-December, with closing dates extending into late March depending on snowpack. Lift hours run 08:30 to 16:30 daily, with night skiing available 16:30 to 21:00 on Saturdays, New Year's Eve, and select January through March weekends.

Annual snowfall averages 10 to 13 metres, with the northern aspect and bowl topography concentrating storm deposits and protecting powder quality from wind degradation. Base depths build reliably through January and February, the peak powder months when Japan's northwest storm track delivers frequent dumps. The modest 1350-metre summit elevation limits high-alpine snowpack but ensures excellent base-area snow quality without the rain-snow line issues affecting taller peaks. Snowmaking supplements natural coverage on lower runs, though the resort's reputation centres on natural powder preservation.

January and February offer the deepest and most consistent powder conditions, with regular storm cycles refreshing the ungroomed zones that define Madarao's character. March transitions to spring snow with warmer temperatures, softer surfaces, and longer daylight, though north-facing tree runs often hold quality through closing. Weekdays between storm cycles provide the quietest conditions for lapping freshly gladed terrain without competition.

The resort hosts New Year's Eve fireworks and night skiing, plus the Dondoyaki Fire Festival in early January celebrating traditional mountain culture. Weekend night skiing illuminates select runs through mid-March. Spring events and closures vary annually based on snowpack, with some lifts ceasing operations by late March whilst core infrastructure remains open through 29 March 2026.

Daily snow reports at Madarao go back to 2012, 15 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.