Usually our side and backcountry season products start from mid January. Before that date, we are happy to offer our resort guiding product where we will stay in bounds however we can’t guarantee that the side- and/or backcountry areas have been filled up enough in order for it to be accessed in a safe way. Having said that, Madarao opened up some really nice in bounds powder areas which are often accessible at an earlier stage so you might have selected the right place to do some early season powder riding.

For side/backcountry or full touring you’ll need appropriate gear. This typically includes:

• Avalanche safety gear (transceiver/beacon, probe, shovel) plus knowledge of how to use them.
• In case you will go touring you will need touring skis, a split-board or snowshoes for ascents.

If you don’t have all the gear, ask us about equipment hire or guide-provided options.

We have a selected rental fleet of touring skis from Faction. In addition, we offer Jones powder boards and snowshoes for rent. Ask us about sizes and prices! If we don’t have your size available, Chill Madarao rents powder skis, snowboards, and telescopic poles (no touring skis). They also rent avi backpacks.

All our guiding products are private which means we can fully cater to your needs and ability. The guide will analyse your skills and select the best terrain where you can have fun and enjoy the snow at your level. We do recommend that you are at least a level 5 skier or snowboarder (see the FAQ on our lesson page for more info regarding our levels) in order to join a side- and backcountry tour.  Don’t worry, if you haven’t skied any deep powder yet, our guides will be able to progress you towards the skills you need.

The areas where we guide the most are Madarao Kogen, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen and the Myoko area. However we also love to take you to one of the smaller, lesser known areas in the Nagano and Niigata region.

See below our cancellation policy:
– If cancelled up to 2 weeks in advance 100% of the fee will be refunded.
– If cancelled between 2 weeks and 1 week in advance, 80% of the fee will be refunded.
– If cancelled between 1 week and 48 hours in advance, 70% of the fee will be refunded.
– If cancelled between 48 and 24 hours in advance 50% of the fee will be refunded.
– If cancelled within 24 hours of the lesson start time there is no refund possible anymore

The guide will contact you prior to the booking. Most importantly, we will always listen to your needs and experience. Based on this and the weather and snow conditions of that day, the guide will recommend you a few options. Together you will decide the best option for the day, a meeting point and potentially a pick up location.

We mostly use WhatsApp for communication with our customers. If you don’t have WhatsApp we will try to adjust to your channel.

Yes! Depending on your needs, the guide can either meet you at the agreed meeting point or pick you up from your accommodation.

For resort guiding, we can stop for lunch at an on-mountain restaurant (sometimes cash only). For touring or side-/backcountry guiding, please bring your own packed lunch. If we pick you up from your accommodation, we can stop at a convenience store for snacks. onigiri are ideal for days like this!

Japan and the resorts in our area have so much snow that often on a powder day we can already have amazing runs in the side country terrain accessible via the slopes. Sometimes it will be an easy ski in and ski out, other times there might be a short boot pack involed. We will always check in advance if everybody feels up to a short hike or prefers to stay in lift access side country terrain.

Touring involves more physical effort than resort skiing: uphill hiking or skinning, uneven terrain, potential deep snow. For example, a typical backcountry tour might involve 2-4 hours of ascent, 500-1000 vertical metres of skiing/riding. We will set a pace suited to your group, but basic cardio fitness and comfort off-piste really helps.

We don’t provide offiicial avalanche courses but if you don’t have any background knowledge we will always provide basic instructions on safe route choice, avalanche awareness and equipment usage (beacon/probe/shovel).

For resort guiding the maximum participants per guide is 6 people. For side/backcountry or touring we maintain a 1:3 guide to guest ration so with a group of 4-6 people we require an additional tail guide. This ensures safety and quality of experience.

Our guides monitor weather, snowpack, avalanche risk daily. If conditions are not safe for the planned terrain we will adjust to more appropriate terrain (still fun!) or change location. Safety is our priority. We recommend that you remain flexible with your plans and trust the guide’s judgement.

In the backcountry you can expect changing conditions and effort uphill so we always recommend to bring/wear layered clothing, (e.g. one or more breathable base layers, an insulating mid layer and a waterproof outer layer), (inner) gloves, face mask, helmet, goggles with lenses for different conditions, water/snacks.

For touring you want to add to the above list: sunglasses, hat, lunch, sunscreen. If you have space in your bag consider to bring a dry base layer, an extra set of gloves and/or face mask.

Sometimes. For resort guiding you may need a normal lift pass. Depending on where we go for touring and side/backcountry guiding either a full day lift passes is required or single rides to access terrain. Lift ticket costs are not included in the guiding fee.

Yes, if you like we can take photos or video of our day together and share them after the day.