[Madarao Kogen]

I visited Madarao Kogen for the first time in awhile last weekend. The snow conditions were good. The website has a good coupon for a full day all-mountain (Madarao + Tangram) plus lunch. This coupon was nice, since most of the area I enjoy is on the Tangram side.

 

As a boarder, I noticed how I was outnumbered by skiiers. Still, the resort was much less crowded (for a Saturday) than places like Happone and Nozawa. There are a few key runs - with hardly any people on them - that made it worth it. One is powder wave (kind of on the border of the two mountains, you need to use a Madarao lift for this so I'd suggest the all-mountain coupon deal). A couple of the other Tangram black runs were pleasantly deserted, which means the population hadn't overrun them with moguls yet. I suppose my only complaint is that the lifts are short and slow. Worth the wait though. I'd post some pictures...but I don't use this site often and I can't figure it out how to do it yet (don't have the time to figure it out now) Any tips on how to post would be appreciated, and I'll try to check back here and post some pictures . Happy skiing / boarding!

 

I rode in Madarao/Tangram last Sunday. Great little resort. You can ride through the trees in Madarao to find fantastic freshies. However, off piste is forbidden on the Tangram side so watch out for the ski patrollers.

[Snow monkeys]

I am in Shiga Kogen at the moment....it seems like the snow monkeys are worth checking out, even if it means missing out on a half day of riding.

While in Shiga head up to the bakery at the bottom of Giant run quite a few monkeys hang out there. No swimming though. I think Snow junky put a video up of them some time a go.The bakery was very good also will be back there soon to check it out.

 

I saw the snow monkeys at the bottom of the Giant run in Shiga Kogen today. I took some great pictures and videos. I won't need to visit the monkey park now and will enjoy another full day of riding!

[Snow monkeys]

I am in Shiga Kogen at the moment....it seems like the snow monkeys are worth checking out, even if it means missing out on a half day of riding.