- Camp Dates
- 18/01/2026 - 30/01/2026
- Camp Cost
- ¥475,000
- Ability Levels
- Advanced, Expert
- Availability
- 10 space(s) currently available on this camp.
- Waitlist
- 6 space(s) available on the waitlist (if someone cancels or we can create another group).
Overview
Two weeks of high-end freeride guiding and coaching for advanced and expert snowboarders looking to experience the best of Japan!
This camp takes you to the best powder spots during the snowiest two weeks of the season. We start out at our local base in Madarao Mountain Resort, then head off to the best freeride terrain throughout Nagano and Niigata. This includes the infamous Nozawa back bowls, the playful trees and pillows of Myoko, the steeps and drops in Lotte Arai, and some more secret spots in between. Daily transport to all resorts is provided, as are transfers from the local train station in Iiyama. The start and end dates specified above are the departure and arrival days (i.e. not on snow).
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 (although there's not many of those)!
The lead coach on this camp will be Keith Stubbs.
Skills & Focuses
This camp has a nice balance of both coaching and guiding, with a little more focus on the coaching side of things.
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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
Inclusions
- 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 (single room supplement available).
- Food
- Daily breakfast (with a wider variety of choice than previous years) and six evening meals (buffet-style) spread out over the camp.
- Transport
- Daily travel to each resort 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 beers and banter with the crew!
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) - see CAMP3's recommended insurance company here.
Ability Levels
This camp is aimed at advanced and expert level riders. We typically have two groups running on this camp, so we can easily cater to both levels without slowing anyone down. Read about our five-stage ability level here.
Accommodation & Transport
Accommodation is on a twin-share basis (with ensuite bathrooms), at the vibing CAMP3 Clubhouse Madarao (just 100m from the chairlifts of Madarao Mountain Resort), with daily breakfast and a welcome dinner on the first night. Check out CAMP3 Clubhouse Madarao here.
A limited number of single occupancy rooms are available at an additional cost of ¥5000 per night (¥60,000 for the duration of this camp). If you wish to reserve a single occupancy room, please indicate this in the comments box in the booking form below.
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.
Daily transport to and from the various resorts is also included. We have two 4WD Delica vans that will get us through the thickest of snow storms.
Bookings
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