Japow Steep & Deep Camp

Madarao Kogen Mountain ResortJapan

Japow Steep & Deep Camp

Two weeks of high-end freeride guiding and coaching for advanced and expert snowboarders looking to experience the best of Japan!

Operated byCAMP3 SnowboardingCamp

This camp takes you to the best powder spots during the snowiest two weeks of the season (statistically) and helps you get the very best out of your riding each day.

We start out at our local base in Madarao Mountain Resort, then head off to the best freeride terrain throughout Nagano and Niigata.

DestinationMadarao Kogen Mountain ResortMadarao, Nagano · Japan · Asia
DatesJan 17 – Jan 29, 20272026/27
Duration13 days12 nights
PackageLodging + Coaching/GuidingFreeride / Off-Piste Camp
BeginnerIntermediateAdvancedExpert
Suits Advanced to Expert riders

This camp is aimed at advanced and expert level riders.

Focus & Terrain: Freeride Specific. Explores 6 different resorts & some backcountry.

This includes the legendary Nozawa back bowls, the playful trees and pillows of Myoko, the steeps and drops in Lotte Arai, and some more secret spots in between.

Whilst this camp is focused on epic freeride terrain, the coaches will sprinkle in some all-mountain freestyle and some carving on any non-powder days.

Some of the core skills focused on during this camp include (but are not limited to):

Build confidence riding with speed in deep snow

Develop turn types effective for riding powder

Fine-tune your edge-pressure-steer sequence

Develop tactics and techniques for riding steeps, trees and gullies

Read terrain and improve line choice

Manage pressure and speed in freeriding

Explore secret stashes with coaches who know the resorts inside and out

Hit natural features like pillow lines, drops and wind-lips

Find the best snow in the region each day

Learn how to use a transceiver and be safe in the backcountry

Sport
Snowboard
Minimum age
18 years
Adults only
Yes
Max group size
6 guests
Guiding
This camp has a nice balance of both coaching and guiding, with a little more focus on the coaching side of things.
Coaching
8 days of freeride-focused coaching and guiding over 2 weeks, at 5hrs per day.
LodgingIncluded
Lift passIncluded
MealsPartly included
LessonIncluded
TransfersIncluded

Included

Coaching & Guiding

8 days of freeride-focused coaching and guiding over 2 weeks, at 5hrs per day.

Lift Passes

8 days of passes at the resorts we visit along the way (lift passes on days off are additional).

Accommodation

12 nights of accommodation at our very own Japan CAMP3 Clubhouse Madarao.

Food

Daily breakfast (with a wider variety of choice than previous years) and 6 evening meals (buffet-style) spread out over the camp.

Transport

Daily travel to each resort in our 4WD vans and transfers to and from Iiyama Station.

Off-snow Additions

Transport down to the local onsen 2-3 evenings per week, with time to eat dinner at the restaurant. Video analysis sessions to breakdown and analyse your riding in more detail. Evening movies, board games, beers and banter with the crew!

Not Included

Not included: flights, train travel to Iiyama, your snowboard equipment (avalanche gear is essential but can be rented), insurance (must cover off-piste and we recommend backcountry rescue).

Lift passes on days off are additional.

Single occupancy room supplement: ¥5,000 per night.

Lunch is not listed among the included meals.

Accommodation

Accommodation is based on twin-share rooms with ensuite bathrooms at the vibing CAMP3 Clubhouse Madarao, located just 100m from the chairlifts of Madarao Mountain Resort (almost slope side!). Guests enjoy daily breakfast, with lots of healthy choices, a welcome dinner on the first evening, plus additional communal dinner nights throughout the camp experience.

A limited number of single occupancy rooms are available at an additional cost of ¥5,000 per night. If you wish to reserve a single occupancy room, please indicate this in the comments box in the booking form below.

Getting There

Transfers available from Iiyama Shinkansen Station (bullet train direct from Tokyo) are available on the camp start and end dates. Dates shown are accommodation arrival and departure days.

Not included: flights, train travel to Iiyama.

DatesSeasonDurationFromAvailabilityBooking
Jan 17 – Jan 29, 2027Availability panel: "0 space(s) currently available on this camp. This camp is FULL at this stage, please join the waitlist or book a different camp." Waitlist: "1 space(s) available on the waitlist. Sorry, the waitlist is already FULL." Membership fee sources conflict; Powderscape shows the lower NZD $45 amount. Confirm the applicable fee with CAMP3.2026/2713 days495,000 JPYCamp cost ¥495,000, printed on the camp page and in the Japan camp comparison table. Covers 8 days coaching/guiding, 12 night stay, lift passes, daily breakfast and 6 evening meals. A $45 NZD membership fee is added to the first camp you join in the calendar year. (¥5,000 for Japan camps.)Sold OutBook on company website

Prices, taxes and fees, required extras, inclusions, availability, and booking terms can change. Confirm the current price and trip details on the company website; source last reviewed September 2, 2026.

You must be signed up as a member to book on a camp. Members must be over 18 (most members are in the 25-45 range), have done at least 10 days on a snowboard and must be stoked on progressing their riding.

If it's the first camp of the year, this will include a $55 membership fee (or ¥5,000 if you're paying for a Japan camp).

All camps need a minimum of three people per group to run, with a maximum six per group.

A limited number of single occupancy rooms are available at an additional cost of ¥5,000 per night.

Note that all members joining camps for the first time in a season are required to fill out two forms; a liability waiver form and an individual details form.

Any cancellation for a confirmed booking that is MORE THAN 4 weeks prior to the first day of the Product commencing will receive a full refund, less a 10% administration fee. Any cancellation for a confirmed booking that is WITHIN 4 weeks of the first day of the Product commencing will receive no refund.

It is possible to rent boards and bindings locally in either Wanaka (NZ) or Madarao (Japan). We have a small fleet of Jones Snowboards available at Clubhouse Madarao in Japan, available free of charge for members on camps to test out for a day.