Madarao’s Raicho Lodge launch guided multi-resort tour for Japow lovers

Japan, it’s like a candy store for snow addicts. With soooo many ski fields on offer, and many within just two hours on the Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo, it’s hard to know where to start.

Raicho Lodge in Madarao has taken the guess work out of it for you with a new multi-day guided tour of the best of the Nagano and Niigata region for both skiers and snowboarders.

The Nagano and Niigata Guided Powder Tour will run from February 8 – 15 in a region of Japan renowned for annual snowfalls of up to 14 metres (it’s not uncommon for a storm to deliver a ‘magic metre’ of snow in 24 hours).

Thanks to the crew at Raicho Lodge, you can discover it all from your own base lodge with your own guide to ensure you get the best powder on offer.

Bed down with all the comforts of home and explore a different resort each day with your own dedicated and experienced guide who does all the powder searching for the group.

The day’s resort is chosen dependent on the snow and weather conditions so you get the best powder experience on offer. With over 15 resorts within an hour’s drive from the lodge, and your own driver, you’ll be getting face shots for days. Hit up Nozawa Onsen, Akakura, Suginohara, Arai, Shiga Kogen, Seki, Madarao and Tangram.

“We aim to enjoy a day at each of Nozawa Onsen, Shiga Kogen, one or two of the Myoko resorts, Madarao & Tangram and Lotte Arai but if the Snow Gods deliver other ideas then we will follow,” says Raicho Lodge’s Jono Gosselin.

Get in quick, this will be one hot tour. All the powder, none of the searching.

You’ll be safely led by a BASI Level 3 ISIA Ski Instructor and BASI Level 2 snowboard instructor who will also take you to all the best on-mountain restaurants for delicious ramen, katsu-don and more. Plus you’ll get to soak in the regions best hidden onsens loved by locals.

The guided tour starts from ¥250,000 (approx AUD$2500) per person for seven nights accommodation, daily breakfast, six days guiding and transport, welcome night dinner and drinks.

If you’re travelling solo then you’ll make new powder friends and join other solo travellers in a shared room for one of the best weeks of your snow loving life.

Where do we sign? Here, you sign here. 

Where you stay

Raicho Lodge, named after the Thunder Bird of Nagano, is nestled at the base of Madarao Mountain Resort a mere 150m walk to the ski run and Akis Pub and Café. Madarao shares a pass with Tangram on the other side – together they are a Mecca for untracked powder backcountry, hero skiing groomers and some of the best tree skiing to be found in Japan. In Madarao they don’t just allow tree skiing, they encourage it by maintaining a program of glading (thinning) the trees in the summer and offer the most official tree runs in Japan.

Just two hours from Tokyo and a short shuttle from nearby Iiyama station, the hidden Nagano gem has few (if any) lift lines and chairlifts run by local farmers for an authentic Japanese experience.

Raicho Lodge is a boutique Australian owned Japanese style lodge offering a fusion of western and local comforts with a bar and lounge to chill and share stories from your day with fellow powder lovers. The in-house bar serves beer on tap, sake and cocktails (think margaritas, martinis and negronis) as well as hot chocolate to warm the soul after a day of serious powder hunting.

The coveted fireplace (one of the few lodges with a fire in Madarao) is a hotly contested space come après time for both guests and locals who seek out the laid back zone before heading to various dining dens in the village.

All of Raicho’s ten guest rooms have been full renovated with a nod to Japanese traditional style and modern convenience. Choose from rooms with western beds or Japanese futons, loft rooms, family suites and bunk rooms. There’s literally something for everyone from solo travellers to groups and families and there’s even a separate male and female Japanese Ofuro Bath.

Did we mention complimentary daily breakfast, free wi-fi, slippers, fresh towels and toiletries? We should have, as they’re all part of the comfort and service supplied by Raicho Lodge for in-house guests.

Not to forget the truly stunning expansive mountain views that will have you mesmerised on a daily lodge life basis. Imagine a hot breakfast served up with a snow laden view before heading out with new found friends to discover the best of the region, returning at the end of the day with a powder grin.

How to book the guided powder week:

Drop the Raicho team an email for all the info for the 7 day guided powder experience February 8 – 15 and check out their website here. 

*feature image, Shiga Kogen, supplied.