Slope-side ski and snowboard rental in Madarao Kogen.
Chill Madarao, the shop at the top of Chair Lift #1. Walk in, get fitted by someone who rides, and head straight onto the snow.
A small rental shop, right next to the lift.
Ski and snowboard rental, expert fitting, lessons, and somewhere to leave your gear overnight. It's a guided process: you arrive at Chill Madarao, we ask a few questions about how you ride and what the conditions are like, and we set you up on the right gear for the day.
Done in store, by people who ski here every day.
The most important thing in a rental shop isn't just the gear. It's whether the boots fit, the bindings are set right, and the skis match what you're about to do with them. That's the part we care about.
No queueing for a form. You sit down with one of our crew, we talk through how you ride and where you're heading, and we find the right setup together.
English-speaking, multi-season experience. Most of us teach lessons too. We ski the same mountain you're about to ski.
If your boots aren't quite right after lunch, come back. We'll re-fit. If the conditions change, we'll swap your skis for something more suitable.
After fitting, take your kit straight to your accommodation, or drop it back with us at last lift. Either works, and the valet is included.
Gear for the conditions, picked with you.
We don't ask you to scroll through specs. We carry current-season equipment from the brands we ride ourselves. Tell us about your day and we'll bring out what fits.
Skis
All-mountain, powder, carving, park, and freeride shapes, and more on the rack. Whatever you or the conditions call for.
Snowboards
All-mountain twins, freeride directionals, park boards, surf-style shapes for the deep days, and more.
Boots
A variety of flexes, BOA, and traditional buckle systems. Ski boots up to EU 51 / US 16 / 34cm, snowboard boots up to US 15.
Accessories
Helmets, jackets and pants, collapsible poles, wrist guards, and gumboots to add to any rental. Gloves and goggles are for sale in the shop.
Avalanche packs
Beacon, shovel, and probe sets for the side-country and tree zones.
Regular and Performance setups.
Two tiers across both skis and snowboards. We'll pick the right one based on how you ride and the conditions on the day. No need to decide upfront.
Never skied or snowboarded before? We'll get you on the mountain.
Get Started is our two-hour jump-start for complete beginners renting with us. Ski or snowboard, kids and adults.
From reservation to first lift.
Reserve online
Hold your dates online. No payment until you arrive.
Come into the shop
Sit down with one of the crew. We talk through how you ride, what the conditions are like, and choose your setup together.
Take it with you, or use valet
Walk it back to your accommodation, or leave it with us between days. Either way, no carrying gear around in ski boots.
Drop in any time
Boots not feeling right? Conditions changed and you want a different ski? Just come back. We'll re-fit or swap.
Rental rates 2026 – 27
All prices in JPY, per person, tax includedAdults
| 1 day | 3 days | 5 days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ski or snowboard setboots included | ¥6,800 | ¥17,800 | ¥26,400 |
| Ski or snowboard only | ¥5,500 | ¥13,900 | ¥21,000 |
Children
| 1 day | 3 days | 5 days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ski or snowboard setboots included | ¥5,100 | ¥13,000 | ¥19,700 |
| Ski or snowboard only | ¥4,000 | ¥10,200 | ¥15,500 |
Quiet, deep, and a quick run from Tokyo.
Madarao sits on the Niigata–Nagano border in the snowiest pocket of central Japan. It's 1 hour 40 on the shinkansen from Tokyo, then a 25-minute shuttle. The same storms that bury Myoko and Nozawa bury Madarao too, giving it some of the best snow in Japan.
Ten official tree-run courses, more than any resort in Japan, properly mapped and properly thinned. Thirty courses in all, around 60% of them left ungroomed. You're in the middle of it all here: Nozawa Onsen 40 minutes away, Myoko and Suginohara 30, Shiga Kogen 45, Hakuba a little over an hour.
An intimate mountain, a generous winter, and almost everything within reach.
Things we get asked the most.
Do I have to pay when I reserve?
No. Reserving online just holds your gear and dates. Payment happens in store when you arrive and we've fitted you properly. Walk-ins are always welcome too, and most days we'll have you sorted. It's just stock dependent, so we strongly recommend reserving ahead.
Do you take cards, or cash only?
Both. We take cash and all major cards.
Can I rent powder skis in Madarao?
Yes. We carry wider, more aggressive setups in our Performance tier. Rather than picking a specific model online, tell us about the conditions and how you ride when you arrive, and we'll set you up with something suited to the day.
Do you have large boot sizes?
Ski boots up to EU 51 / US 16 / 34cm. Snowboard boots up to US 15. Best to reserve ahead.
How do I get to Madarao from Tokyo?
One train, then a short bus. The Hokuriku Shinkansen runs direct from Tokyo to Iiyama in about 1 hour 40 minutes, and the Madarao shuttle takes about 25 minutes from Iiyama Station. If you're driving, allow roughly 3 hours via the Joshin-etsu Expressway, and bring snow tires from December through March.
Do you teach beginners?
Beginners are exactly who our lessons are for. Get Started is our two-hour program for complete beginners renting with us, ski or snowboard, kids and adults. It runs across three levels: first moves on the flats, then the beginner runs, then the beginner bowl. Your instructor ticks each step off a progression card as you go. ¥10,000 per person, at 10am and 1pm daily, subject to availability. Ask at the counter or email info@chillmadarao.com and we'll fit it around your rental. By the end, we'll have you confident enough to explore the mountain on your own!
What's the overnight valet?
Drop your skis or board, and your boots if you'd like, with us at the end of the day. We dry everything, wax if needed, and have it ready on the rack the next morning labelled with your name. Included with every rental. Helmets and clothing stay with you overnight. Handy, since a helmet keeps your head warm on the walk home.
When are you open?
12 December through March, daily 8am – 6pm, conditions permitting. Last fittings around 5pm. Outside the season the shop is closed but we still answer email.