Resource The big Myoko/Madarao/Arai thread - 2018/19

[M_G]

Wasn't sure when to start this but now is as good a time as any.

Day 1 of Season 2017/18

Check out the following threads for lots of great info (but post new questions here).
The big Myoko/Madarao/Arai thread - 2017/18
Myoko/Madarao thread 2016/17
Myoko/Madarao thread 2015/16
Myoko & Madarao thread 2014/15
Myoko 2013-14 thread
Myoko 2011-13 thread

When the mountain turns white get excited.

Info:
Myokokogen Wikiski
Backcountry - Myoko / Madarao
Getting there - Myoko / Madarao / Arai
Ski info - Myoko / Madarao / Arai / Charmant
Bars and restaurants - Myoko / Madarao
Passes and coupons - Myoko / Madarao
Webcams - Myoko / Madarao
Snow Reports - Myoko / Madarao
Things to do - Myoko / Madarao
Area map of resorts

 

[skichanger]

I think you need to update the Madarao bars and restaurants.

 

[M_G]

I think you need to update the Madarao bars and restaurants.

Trying to get that done. Also need to update Myoko bars/restaurants too.

 

[skichanger]

Well you can add both my places.

We have The Avenue, bar, cafe and restaurant located in Chalet Madarao.
Open from 7.30 for breakfast till 10pm Last food orders at 9pm.
Genuine ski in ski out location so drop in for lunch when you are at Madarao.
Perfect place to get dropped of or picked up when visiting Madarao as there is minimal walking to where you can ski/board to and from.

And Chalet Myoko restaurant and bar open 3 nights a week for those not under the mistaken belief that you must be in the village.

 

[M_G]

3℃ up top last night

 

[tobyinsydney]

Family of four heading to Myoko Kogen (arriving on 31st) and staying for 10 days.. First time in the area, and first time back in Japan skiing since I did a season in 1993!!

Keen to know all the good spots to eat with kids, and find the best pow once the kids are dropped off at Myoko Snowsports!

 

[Mike Pow]

Best time of the season to visit Arai please?

 

[M_G]

Usually mid-Jan to mid-Feb. Much like the other Myoko resorts. Varies year to year though.

 

[Mike Pow]

Usually mid-Jan to mid-Feb. Much like the other Myoko resorts. Varies year to year though.

Many thanks.

See that it's a short distance from Myoko Kogen to Arai (under an hour drive in winter about right?)

Stay at Arai? Can you?

Or Myoko?

All information gratefully accepted. Thanks.

 

[M_G]

If you have a car stay up in Myoko Kogen - it's about 30-40 minutes from Akakura Onsen. Or you can stay at one of the nearby hotels in Arai - Hotel Route-Inn Myoko Arai or Super Hotel Arai Niigata - about 10 minutes away.
If you have a tight budget stay up in Myoko Kogen at a lodge that does shuttles, or you can use the public shuttle.
If you don't care about price and like a bit of luxury stay at the resort.

 

[Mike Pow]

If you have a car stay up in Myoko Kogen - it's about 30-40 minutes from Akakura Onsen. Or you can stay at one of the nearby hotels in Arai - Hotel Route-Inn Myoko Arai or Super Hotel Arai Niigata - about 10 minutes away.
If you have a tight budget stay up in Myoko Kogen at a lodge that does shuttles, or you can use the public shuttle.
If you don't care about price and like a bit of luxury stay at the resort.

Excellent.

Thanks

 

[dbc33]

Hi skichanger, looking at spending 5days at madarao late January by myself and was looking at your website and just wondering is that $180 a night?

 

[M_G]

You probably have to tag her or send her a PM for her to see the above. Or shoot her an email via the website?

 

[2nd_String_QB]

Family of four heading to Myoko Kogen (arriving on 31st) and staying for 10 days.. First time in the area, and first time back in Japan skiing since I did a season in 1993!!

Keen to know all the good spots to eat with kids, and find the best pow once the kids are dropped off at Myoko Snowsports!

Is that the 31st of December or January Toby? New Year's eve can get really busy so just wondering.

For places to eat, my favourites are the Shibata Restaurant (good yakiniku and ramen), the pizza place across the road from there, and Panorama cafe (inside Myoko Snowsports shop - also great for an afternoon drink before ski school finishes).

With 10 days you'll have time to explore many areas. The shuttle bus from Akakura to Ikenotaira and Suginohara is useful, but the timetable doesn't always fit in well with ski school, so see if your accomodation will arrange a lift.

 

[M_G]

Is that the 31st of December or January Toby? New Year's eve can get really busy so just wondering.

And it wasn't that long ago that people were whining there was nothing on NYE!

For places to eat, my favourites are the Shibata Restaurant (good yakiniku and ramen), the pizza place across the road from there, and Panorama cafe (inside Myoko Snowsports shop - also great for an afternoon drink before ski school finishes).

These are all good. Kei and Harumi also very good. Needs updating but check here.

With 10 days you'll have time to explore many areas. The shuttle bus from Akakura to Ikenotaira and Suginohara is useful, but the timetable doesn't always fit in well with ski school, so see if your accomodation will arrange a lift.

Yes, this is definitely a problem so talk to your accomm. Or ask MSS if they can instruct at one of the other resorts.

 

[Budgiesmuggler]

Family of four heading to Myoko Kogen (arriving on 31st) and staying for 10 days.. First time in the area, and first time back in Japan skiing since I did a season in 1993!!

Keen to know all the good spots to eat with kids, and find the best pow once the kids are dropped off at Myoko Snowsports!

We did this last year, we had a car and stayed in Myoko. Car was super helpful to work around ski school so we could ski other resorts. We even managed one day at shiga with kids in school at myoko

 

[dbc33]

Cheers @M_G I probably should have thought to just send an email kinda makes sense lol

 

[elSpike]

hey @skichanger, do we need to book your place for dinner mid January? Had some trouble getting in to some places last time we were in Madarao. Assuming it is even tighter these days.

 

[tobyinsydney]

We did this last year, we had a car and stayed in Myoko. Car was super helpful to work around ski school so we could ski other resorts. We even managed one day at shiga with kids in school at myoko

Thanks for the tip. Can I ask where you rented the car from?

We are getting the train from Tokyo...

Also how old were your kids? Ours are 3 and 5 so maybe have a child seat issue to deal with.

 

[tobyinsydney]

Is that the 31st of December or January Toby? New Year's eve can get really busy so just wondering.

For places to eat, my favourites are the Shibata Restaurant (good yakiniku and ramen), the pizza place across the road from there, and Panorama cafe (inside Myoko Snowsports shop - also great for an afternoon drink before ski school finishes).

With 10 days you'll have time to explore many areas. The shuttle bus from Akakura to Ikenotaira and Suginohara is useful, but the timetable doesn't always fit in well with ski school, so see if your accomodation will arrange a lift.

We arrive in Myoko Kogen on the 31st Dec. Pretty early in the season I know (and busy) but unfortunately that is the way the stars aligned with work and school holidays etc...

 

[Budgiesmuggler]

Thanks for the tip. Can I ask where you rented the car from?

We are getting the train from Tokyo...

Also how old were your kids? Ours are 3 and 5 so maybe have a child seat issue to deal with.

Ours were 1 and 4!

We got the shink to Nagano and rented the car with child seats from there.

 

[M_G]

Nagano is your easiest choice but Iiyama and JoetsuMyoko also work. Navigating from the latter is the most straightforward. Straight up Route 18 and turn right to Akakura Onsen.

 

[skichanger]

hey @skichanger, do we need to book your place for dinner mid January? Had some trouble getting in to some places last time we were in Madarao. Assuming it is even tighter these days.

mmm not sure. We were only open sometimes and for our guests last season. This season we will be open from 7.30 to 10pm. Now I know they will groom almost to my door it justifies being open all day. We will be putting a website up for the restaurant soon. Once that is up I will post a link and people will be able to book.

The other thing is that I am trying to set the space up so that we can make things a bit more squeezy and accommodate a few more people when we are busy. There are going to be some benches that sit almost against the windows and during the day you can sit at them and have a great view. At night, if we are full we can pull them away from the window and have people sitting on both sides. But it would be a tight fit for those on the window side of the benches.

Also there are more restaurants, but there are also more people

 

[skichanger]

Hi skichanger, looking at spending 5days at madarao late January by myself and was looking at your website and just wondering is that $180 a night?

It depends on what you want. We will be having a bunk room that is significantly cheaper. But if you want a full room to yourself with ensuite, at a ski in ski out lodge, with an onsite all day restaurant, breakfast included, onsite waxing and ski/board repairs, tuning and adjusting, pick and drop of at Iiyama station, yep that is what it costs.

Next year we hope to have some smaller rooms that will be cheaper for singles.

Message me if you are interested. We are booked out for some dates.

 

[elSpike]

mmm not sure. We were only open sometimes and for our guests last season. This season we will be open from 7.30 to 10pm. Now I know they will groom almost to my door it justifies being open all day. We will be putting a website up for the restaurant soon. Once that is up I will post a link and people will be able to book.

Perfect. Looking forward to putting a face to a name!

 

[skichanger]

So the latest news from Madarao is that the White House is being knocked down. It is owned by the new resort owners. Not sure what they are planning and if they are trying to get something done for this season.

 

[M_G]

Death of an icon. Who got the statue? They need to put it in the middle of the town square.

My bet would be a shiny new hotel. The new owners are apparently pretty keen to get more rooms in the market. Just wish they were also keen on some new infrastructure.

 

[skichanger]

Death of an icon. Who got the statue? They need to put it in the middle of the town square.

My bet would be a shiny new hotel. The new owners are apparently pretty keen to get more rooms in the market. Just wish they were also keen on some new infrastructure.

Well if the numbers stack up they will put more infrastructure in. They are actually far more pro-active and far more approachable than the owners of any other resort I know of. The difference between Akakura and Madarao is like night and day.

At the moment their goal is to get things happening all year round.

 

[nfip]

Yes I see a few posts on fb of the mountain biking at Madarao....
early days by the look of it.
fwiw we loved the place.

 

[Zimbooo]

Just hope it doesn't get loved to death!!!!!

 

[skichanger]

Just hope it doesn't get loved to death!!!!!

It is a long time before that is likely to happen.

 

[Born2ski]

So the latest news from Madarao is that the White House is being knocked down. It is owned by the new resort owners. Not sure what they are planning and if they are trying to get something done for this season.

Oh NO not the White House !!

Some pics from 2014.

 

[skichanger]

Oh NO not the White House !!

Some pics from 2014.

I knew you would be "upset"!

 

[M_G]

Well if the numbers stack up they will put more infrastructure in.

Cart or horse, chicken or egg. Hopefully they will build before things are bursting at the seams.

The difference between Akakura and Madarao is like night and day.

Low bar to jump over there!

 

[Ecstatic]

Anyone have a favorite guide or company for a crew of about 4 snowboarders that will be in Myoko in Feb? No problems with a few hikes but would prefer most of it accessed via lift.

 

[skichanger]

Anyone have a favorite guide or company for a crew of about 4 snowboarders that will be in Myoko in Feb? No problems with a few hikes but would prefer most of it accessed via lift.

Idataki Look for them on facebook.

 

[M_G]

Also Deep Powder Snowboard Ninja tours will provide local snowboard guiding depending on your skill level. These tours are not a backcountry tour, but an inbounds guided powder tour. Tour staff are local, well known and qualified snowboard instructors.Tell them Nic said to get in touch They also run Senke Hotel. Book here.

 

[2ESki]

Quick ? but some maps show " Champion No 5 " lift but others not, is it there or not

 

[M_G]

Not sure what they are planning and if they are trying to get something done for this season.

Apparently going to build more shops there after this season.

 

[skichanger]

Quick ? but some maps show " Champion No 5 " lift but others not, is it there or not

Not on top of lift names without looking at a trail map, but in the time I have had my place at Akakura some of the lifts have been removed. Their removal has not affected the area that can be accessed by lifts.

 

[Paradox]

Quick ? but some maps show " Champion No 5 " lift but others not, is it there or not

Champion No5 is no longer an operational lift and Champion C is no longer a groomed piste. It is, of course "still there" and is able to be skied if you want to hike to the top....

 

[2ESki]

Champion No5 is no longer an operational lift and Champion C is no longer a groomed piste. It is, of course "still there" and is able to be skied if you want to hike to the top....

For a 200 - 300 ski run , in ski boots, I think we'll give it a miss

 

[Pat42]

Hi Guys

Anybody able to give some info on how busy Madarao is these days. Thinking of spending a few days there this January, last time was 4 years ago and was pretty quiet mid week

 

[M_G]

It will definitely be busier than 4 years ago. How much busier this season, and any potential bottlenecks, won't be known until the first few weeks in. A joint ticket is probably the go.

 

[Pat42]

Thanks MG

Last time i was there fresh snow was pretty easy to find especially if you hiked a bit, sounds like that might not be the case anymore

 

[skichanger]

Thanks MG

Last time i was there fresh snow was pretty easy to find especially if you hiked a bit, sounds like that might not be the case anymore

Still was last season. There are still lots of "secret spots" if you are prepared to search them out.

 

[M_G]

New Red Bull video shot in and around Myoko.

 

[JoeKing]

There goes the neighbourhood.

 

[M_G]

Was already gone. . Strange they're still trying to talk about it in an 'undiscovered' sense.

 

[PMG]

Was already gone. . Strange they're still trying to talk about it in an 'undiscovered' sense.

Americans.