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Mountain tours & Experiences in Japan BLOG

  • Night skiing at a Nagano Powder Belt resort under floodlights at dusk
    Night Skiing in Myoko and Northern NaganoNovember 8, 2026
  • Madarao & Suginohara 5-Day Snow Pass (2026/27): Price, what it covers and how to buyNovember 4, 2026
  • Nagano local train running through snow in Northern Nagano winter
    Skiing Nagano Without a Car: Public Transport, Resort Connections and Where to StayOctober 18, 2026
  • Winter Experiences Around Madarao, Myoko & TogakushiOctober 11, 2026
  • How to Combine Tokyo with a Nagano Ski TripOctober 4, 2026
  • How Much Snow Does Madarao & Myoko Really Get? Inside the Snow Season, Month by MonthSeptember 27, 2026
  • Kijimadaira’s Snow Resort Romance no KamisamaSeptember 20, 2026
  • Early-Season Ski Resorts in Japan: What Opens First in 2026-27September 13, 2026
  • Why Location Matters on a Powder DaySeptember 6, 2026
  • High-speed train emerging from a tunnel, blue and white with a brown stripe, on electrified tracks.
    How to Get to Madarao-Tangram from TokyoAugust 30, 2026
  • Circular ski-lift pulley and loading platform on a weathered wooden deck, with cables, towers, and distant mountains.
    It Is Not Even Cold Yet: Why Your Best Powder Season Starts in AugustAugust 23, 2026
  • Satellite weather map over Japan showing a red low-pressure cyclone southeast of the archipelago with spiraling isobars and a high-pressure area to the northeast.
    Weather Forecast for Japan’s 2026 – 2027 Snow SeasonJune 7, 2026
  • Your Guide to Multi-Resort All Season Ski Passes in Japan (26/27)October 4, 2025
  • Early-Season Ski Resorts in Japan: What Opens First in 2025-26September 11, 2025
  • How to Plan the Ultimate Japan Ski Trip: A Step-by-Step GuideJuly 10, 2025
  • Traveling with Skis in JapanJune 13, 2025
  • Best Family-Friendly Ski Resorts in Japan: Where to Ski with KidsJune 3, 2025
  • Why Japan Should be Your School’s Next Ski Trip DestinationMay 20, 2025
  • Weather Forecast for Japan’s 2025 – 2026 Snow SeasonMay 15, 2025
  • Renting a car in Japan during snow season.April 22, 2025
  • Spring skiing in JapanMarch 18, 2025
  • Madarao’s self-guided snowshoe trailsFebruary 13, 2025
  • The Ultimate Madarao Backcountry GuideJanuary 20, 2025
  • Introducing Japan’s Largest Skiable DomainDecember 20, 2024
  • The Best Months for Skiing in JapanNovember 23, 2024
  • Japanese Ski Resorts Covered by Global Ski Passes (26/27)November 16, 2024
  • Why Japan Should Be Your Next Ski Destination: Powder Snow, Culture & AdventureNovember 6, 2024
  • How to Identify Your Ski Level and Choose the Perfect Ski PackageOctober 25, 2024
  • Essential Gear for Skiing and Snowboarding in JapanOctober 12, 2024
  • Weather Forecast for Japan’s 2024/25 Snow Season: The Impact of La NiñaOctober 5, 2024
  • What is “Japow”?September 28, 2024

lacolinaretreat

⚠️ Hot take about Japanese powder: the snowfall is ⚠️ Hot take about Japanese powder: the snowfall is only half the story. The other half is how far you are from it when the storm hits.

Those "cheap & spacious" lodges 30 minutes from the slopes look great on the booking site. On a powder morning they cost you the best hour of the day — traffic, slow snowblowers, full parking before you ever clip in.

New blog post: Why Location Matters on a Powder Day. The breakdown of base-town vs on-mountain lodging in Northern Nagano. Link in bio 🔗

#madapow #madaraotangram #myokopowder #japow #japanbackcountry #skiing #snowboarding #nagano #japantravel
Today marks our last lift-assisted ski day of the Today marks our last lift-assisted ski day of the season at @nozawaski ⛷️❄️

With just one or two #backcountryskiing days still ahead, we’re wrapping up what has been an incredible winter. It’s been so busy we barely had time to share updates here, but that’s always a good sign 😅

Despite a somewhat irregular season in terms of snowfall, we were lucky to experience a few record-breaking storms, delivering unforgettable days in the mountains. Most importantly, we’ve had the pleasure of hosting amazing guests coming from across the globe at our #lacolinaretreat apartments, and guiding many of them across our #backcountry , #freeride , and #snowshoeing experiences.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us this winter 🙏

We’re already looking ahead, working on improving our services and renovating our apartments to make next season even better.

We will remain open all summer, so see you on the trails 🤍🏔️
The summit of Mt. #madarao — and the marker that u The summit of Mt. #madarao — and the marker that usually disappears under a deep white blanket by this time of year — is still clearly visible. In a normal season, that sign is fully buried by now, a quiet but reliable indicator that winter has truly settled in.

Historically, January is one of Nagano’s snowiest months, with consistent storms and a solid base building early. This year, that rhythm has been slower to arrive.

But cold air is lining up, a heavy snowfall is coming tonight and past winters have taught us one thing: Nagano and #myoko can change fast. A single good cycle can completely transform the mountains overnight 🥶
🍁 As autumn rolls in, we’re already gearing up for 🍁 As autumn rolls in, we’re already gearing up for winter! ⛷️ @madarao.ski has announced a December 13th opening, and @tangram.madarao will follow on December 20th. We’re keeping an eye on which other resorts will kick off their season early, because honestly, many people just like us can’t wait to get back on the slopes! ❄️ We’ve just updated our blog with all the details about early-season ski resorts in Japan. Check it out through the link in our bio!
Japan’s backcountry paradise 🇯🇵⛷️ #tateyama #tatey Japan’s backcountry paradise 🇯🇵⛷️
#tateyama #tateyamakurobealpineroute #backcountryskiing #backcountryskiingjapan
Our guided snowshoe trips are all about good vibes Our guided snowshoe trips are all about good vibes, beautiful trails, and discovering hidden snowy corners.

Rentals included, all you need to bring is your sense of adventure!
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Recent Posts

  • Night Skiing in Myoko and Northern Nagano
  • Madarao & Suginohara 5-Day Snow Pass (2026/27): Price, what it covers and how to buy
  • Skiing Nagano Without a Car: Public Transport, Resort Connections and Where to Stay
  • Winter Experiences Around Madarao, Myoko & Togakushi
  • How to Combine Tokyo with a Nagano Ski Trip

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La Colina Outdoor is a licensed travel agency and Destination Management Company (DMC) specializing in creating bespoke snow adventures and tailor-made nature and outdoor tours.

Trip Types

  • Guided day snow tours
  • Ski Packages
  • Discover Nature & Rural Japan
  • School Ski Trips

Destinations

  • Hokkaido
  • Tohoku
  • Five Mountains of Northern Shinshu
    • – Madarao & Tangram
    • – Myoko
  • Northern Alps
  • Central Alps
  • Southern Alps
  • Mt Fuji

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