REPORT

Thanks to the all-day snowfall on 3/18 (Sat.), the runs all across Madarao are still covered in beautiful white snow. Yesterday and today the weather was perfect for skiing, with sunny and windless conditions. Before the opening of the resort, I skied onto Utopia (pictured) from my favorite parking lot, No. 7 (free of charge, capacity for 900 cars), and found the slope had a groomed surface consisting of fine-grained granular snow.
[Utopia]

A number of ski resorts nationwide have closed courses or shut down for the season during the last several days, 3/16 (Thu.) to 3/19 (Sun.), due to the rapidly progressing snowmelt this March. Madarao Kogen however, despite having a large number of runs, is planning to remain “fully open” until 3/26 (Sun.)! Today, I took my time to enjoy the clear air and spring sunshine while skiing on the groomed Sky View area where the granular snow surface was starting to soften up early on.
[Sky View]

Additionally, the daily Free Beginner Snowboard Lessons held on Paradise will run until 3/21 (Tue.), and the joint Mountain Pass lift ticket also valid at Tangram will be available until 3/26 (Sun.). As for lifts, the Super Quad, No. 11, No. 12, No. 13, and No. 15 will remain open until 3/26 (Sun.), while the No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 lifts will be in operation until the last day of the season on 4/2 (Sun.).
[Sky View]

I noticed a lot of student groups hanging around Restaurant Heidi, and their presence did a lot to liven up the atmosphere. I spoke with a group of 4 people (pictured) from Hokkaido, Kanagawa, and Gifu, who commented on the lovely, rich contrast between the perfect white snow and cobalt blue sky. The lower portion Giant as well as Paradise were groomed with a firmly-packed granular snow surface that began to loosen up a little by arokund 9:30 a.m.
[Giant]
　　
*3/26 (Sun.) and 3/27 (Mon.) are FREE LIFT TICKET DAYS! (The ¥500 IC Card deposit is still required)

　
[Madarao Kogen Availability Information on 3/20 (Wed.)]
*All courses are available!
*Available Lifts … Super Quad (8:30-) and totally 7 lifts
*Lift Fees … 1 Day Ticket Adult JPY5,500, Over 55 & 13-18 y/o JPY5,000, 6-12 y/o JPY3,000 (From 3/27 Spring Discount Adult & Over 55 & 13-18 y/o JPY4,000, 6-12 y/o JPY2,500) *Preschooler Free

*The ski area reports of Madarao Kogen will be uploaded once a week.　
*Click here to purchase photos found in this report
　
reported by Snownavi