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When you and your friends decide to hit the slopes this winter, you might be surprised at how many things you have to consider: Which ski resort? How do we get there? What’s the budget? Where do we stay? In such cases, a bus tour is the way to go. Among them, Orion Tour, which operates bus tours to about 100 ski resorts across Japan, is especially appealing—safe, comfortable, offering a wide variety of plans, and reasonably priced.
With so many ski resorts to choose from, it’s easy to get stuck wondering: What if our group has mixed skill levels? What if it’s everyone’s first time snowboarding? You’ll want a resort where everyone can have fun. Meeting all these conditions—and consistently ranking among the most popular with Orion Tour—is Madarao Kogen Ski Resort, located on the border of Nagano and Niigata prefectures. Plus, the border sign between Nagano and Niigata near the resort’s information center makes for a perfect, Instagram-worthy photo spot—a memory of Madarao you’ll want to take home.
Madarao Kogen Ski Resort spreads across the northeastern slope of Mt. Madarao at an elevation of 1,382 meters. It features 32 courses for all levels—from beginners to experts—including 12 tree-run courses, one of the largest numbers in Japan.
The upper slopes are steep, while the gradient becomes gentler toward the bottom. Wide runs give a great sense of openness, and the panoramic views are another highlight.
Located in a heavy snowfall area, Madarao Kogen is known not only for its massive snowfalls but also for its exceptionally light powder snow—nicknamed “Madapow.” This outstanding snow quality helps skiers and snowboarders progress faster while making the ride even more enjoyable.
As a popular resort destination, the area around the ski resort offers a wide range of accommodations. Even with a bus tour, you can choose from various types of lodging to suit your budget—including the ski-in/ski-out Madarao Kogen Hotel. Orion Tour arranges hotels within walking distance of the slopes, making it easy and convenient to get to and from your accommodation.
Even if you don’t own any gear, you can rest assured—boards, boots, and wear are all available for rental. (You’ll need to bring your own goggles, gloves, and beanie.) With minimal luggage to carry, your trip will be smooth and comfortable.
The Tangram Ski Circus, located on the northern slope of Mt. Madarao, is also accessible with the same lift pass, allowing you to ski directly between the two resorts. Tangram offers not only great skiing but also plenty of snow activities, making it a fun spot to enjoy with friends.

1.Madarao Kogen – Perfect for First Steps with Free Beginner Lessons

At Madarao Kogen, free lessons for beginners are held daily (until March 23 this season). No reservations are required. There are two morning sessions (9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.) and one afternoon session (1:30 p.m.), each lasting about one hour. The meeting point is near the Information Center, marked by a sign for the free lessons.
The lesson begins with a clear explanation of how to handle equipment and basic slope etiquette.
Next, you’ll start by practicing one-foot skating to get used to the feel of the board while learning basic movements.
You’ll also learn edging and stopping through side-slipping. If time allows, the lesson finishes with a run down the beginner slope and even taking the lift. Having all this for free is a huge plus. If you want more instruction and faster progress, paid lessons are also available!
One great feature of Madarao Kogen is that you can start skiing right away without taking a lift. Beginners should head for the Utopia Course or Beginner A or B Courses.
The lower section of Utopia is wide open, giving you a true sense of the ski area’s scale and charm.
Toward the end, the slope heads toward the No.1 Lift with a gentle incline that feels safe even straight-lining, making it perfect for getting used to speed.
Start by repeating runs on the No.1 Lift, and once you get comfortable, gradually challenge yourself on different courses!
As your next step, take the No.2 Quad or No.5 Lift to try the lower section of the Champion Course.
It has a moderate slope, is very wide, and stretches straight with clear visibility—ideal conditions for enjoyable skiing.

2. Experience the Vastness and Charm of Madarao Kogen by Riding the Lifts

Once you’re comfortable skiing and riding lifts, take the Super Quad Lift and head toward the Crystal Course via the Traverse Course. As you gain altitude, the views become stunning, and on clear days you can even see the Sea of Japan from the Traverse Course.
The Traverse Course connects you to the middle section of the Crystal Course. The lower part is a wide slope for beginners and intermediates. The side near the No.12 Lift is slightly steeper, so if you’re unsure, stick to the right side of the course.
From the middle of the Crystal Course, you can access the neighboring Tangram Ski Circus by taking the No.15 Lift. The boarding point for the No.15 Lift is located beyond the No.12 Lift, so it may be a little tricky to find at first—keep an eye out.
At the top of the No.15 Lift, you’ll reach the junction between Madarao Kogen and Tangram. Follow the signs: to the left is Tangram’s Primary Course, and to the right is Madarao Kogen’s Skyview Course. On clear days, you can enjoy breathtaking views of Mt. Myoko.
The Skyview Course is a beginner-friendly run through a magical forest, with gentle slope variations to enjoy at a relaxed pace.
There are playful terrain features along the course sides, making it fun for all levels despite being a beginner course. If you ski it straight down, you’ll end up near Heidi, but you’ll need to walk uphill at the end. For an easier return to the Heidi area, it’s better to take the No.11 Lift midway.
Madarao Kogen offers a wide variety of runs, including plenty for advanced skiers. Thanks to the excellent snow quality, there are courses to satisfy every skill level, so friends of different abilities can all enjoy a full day on the slopes.
Madarao Kogen is also one of Japan’s top resorts for tree runs, both in number and quality. Once you’ve improved, challenge yourself with this new thrill! Please note: each tree run has designated entrances (gates), and it’s the rule to start only from those—be sure to follow this strictly.

3. Hearty Meals and Plenty of Rest Spots!

Restaurant Heidi

Located at the base of the slopes, “Restaurant Heidi” is a landmark of Madarao Kogen. With 800 seats and a wide selection of hearty dishes, it’s a favorite among visitors.
Beyond main dishes like curry, ramen, and rice bowls, the menu offers plenty of à la carte options too. Many visitors say, “Everything looked so good, I couldn’t choose just one!”—often ending up ordering a feast.
Enjoy dessert as well, and you’ll be recharged for more fun on the slopes in the afternoon!
Heidi also serves “affogato”—soft ice cream topped with rich espresso. It’s highly recommended as a post-meal treat or a refreshing break.

Myoko Coffee

Let me introduce two recommended rest spots besides Heidi.First is "Myoko Coffee," located inside Shirakaba Rental next to Madarao Kogen Hotel. Here you can enjoy authentic coffee roasted with a large American roasting machine near Myoko-Kogen Station and brewed by a barista using an Italian lever machine. Open from 9:00 to 16:00.
From the windows, you can enjoy panoramic views of the slopes, so savor your coffee while taking in the scenery.

Madarao Kogen Lounge

The second is the mountain-view lounge inside Madarao Kogen Hotel. Since it is located within the hotel, you can enjoy coffee or other drinks around the fireplace while soaking up a slightly luxurious atmosphere. Open from 10:00 to 17:00 (last order at 16:30).
If you use the lounge, be sure to stop by the hotel’s shop as well. They sell drinks, snacks, various ski goods, and the widest selection of souvenirs in Madarao Kogen. Like the lounge, it’s open to non-guests, with a separate entrance, making it a great place to shop for souvenirs.

4. Even on affordable bus tours, the accommodations are well-equipped. Some hotels even feature lavish dinner buffets!

The hotel used for this trip was “Hotel Silk Inn Madarao,” part of Orion Tour’s Madarao Kogen packages, known for its delicious and extravagant dinner buffet. Its excellent location, just a three-minute walk to the slopes, is another highlight.
Check-in was smooth thanks to the kind and helpful front desk staff.
Then came the long-awaited dinner time. Entering the restaurant, we were greeted by a lavish array of dishes and a wide variety of menu options.
Freshly prepared warm dishes lined the buffet, with sushi and sashimi available in unlimited portions. There was even a station for self-made ramen. Desserts and fresh fruits ensured the enjoyment continued to the end. Alcoholic beverages cost extra, but soft drinks and coffee were all-you-can-drink.
Savor the bliss of enjoying your favorite foods as much as you like, as many times as you like.
Back in your room, continue the fun with drinks and chats with friends. When you get sleepy, just crawl into bed. Get a good rest so you can enjoy skiing the next day!
By the way, the legendary “Madarao Kogen Crepe House,” famous within the resort for its delicious crepes, is operating right next to Hotel Silk Inn Madarao this season. Open from 11:00 to 17:00.
Not only are the handmade crepes delicious with a wide variety of flavors, but the galettes made with Shinshu buckwheat flour are also highly praised. Even if you’re staying at a different hotel, it’s close enough to the slopes to make it worth a visit.

5. Enjoy the action-packed activities at Tangram too!

Orion Tour participants receive a Mountain Pass valid not only for Madarao Kogen lifts but also for all lifts at Tangram Ski Circus. Even beginners can ski over from Madarao, so try experiencing the different slopes there.
While skiing the courses is fun, Tangram also offers plenty to enjoy off the slopes. Start by taking the No.5 Quad Lift to the “Nojiri Lake Lounge,” which offers breathtaking views of Mt. Myoko and Lake Nojiri.
The lounge features a striking Japanese-modern interior, perfect for Instagram-worthy photos.
Even if the weather is unfavorable and the views are limited, it’s still worth visiting just for the delicious cakes. Recommended pairings include coffee, tea, or mixed berry tea.
Outside the lounge, the terrace becomes snow-covered in winter, but on clear days it offers a perfect photo spot with views of Lake Nojiri and Mt. Myoko. Try different angles and capture memorable shots with friends!
At Tangram, you can also experience riding a “snowmobile,” like a motorbike on snow. Even elementary school students can try it, so no need to worry about handling it. The course is 200 meters long, and you can ride five laps for ¥2,500. Sessions are held at 10:00, 11:30, 13:30, and 15:00. Reservations are recommended, as spots are limited.
Your usual ski gear—jacket, gloves, and goggles—is enough. Helmets are required, and rental helmets are available. Many people find it even more fun than they expected.
Another activity you should try, besides snowmobiling, is snow rafting. You’ll ride in an inflatable rafting boat pulled by a professional on a snowmobile, giving you a wild, roller-coaster-like ride.
Each boat seats up to 4 adults (or 5 people if children are included, with a maximum of 3 adults). The cost is ¥3,000 per boat, so with four friends, it’s only ¥750 per person. The more people, the more fun you’ll have.
If you’re looking for more thrills, you can also choose the banana boat. But since you’re at Tangram, the best option is to try both the rafting boat and banana boat for maximum fun!
Photo & Text by Tomohiro WATANABE

Orion Tour

For many years, Orion Tour has operated buses to around 100 ski resorts nationwide. A key appeal is the wide range of departure points, not just destinations. In addition to day trips and overnight packages, they also offer self-drive plans and Hokkaido tours, all at attractive prices. Popular with everyone from students to families, regardless of age or level. Check their website for details!
Orion Tour

Madarao Kogen Ski Resort

Location: Madarao Kogen, Iiyama City, Nagano Prefecture

Located on the northeastern slope of Mt. Madarao, the resort boasts 32 diverse courses for all levels, with one of the largest selections of tree-run courses in Japan. Its abundant snowfall is another highlight, with the superb powder snow known as “Madapow” attracting countless skiers and snowboarders from abroad.
Madarao Kogen Ski Resort

Tangram Ski Circus

Location: Furumi, Shinano Town, Kamiminochi District, Nagano Prefecture

The slopes face north, ensuring excellent snow quality. Though compact, it features 19 courses, including tree runs, catering to all levels. The convenient Hotel Tangram is directly connected to the slopes and offers hot springs and a pool, making it popular with families. Snowmobiling and snow rafting are also very popular with all ages.
Tangram Ski Circus

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