Two New Luxury Skiing Destinations to Open in Japan

Nestled within the Japan Alps in Nagano Prefecture, Madarao Mountain Resort has long been revered for its abundant powder snow (“Madapow, as it’s called) and impressive 15 official tree-skiing courses, which is the most for any resort in all of Japan.

In 2026 and 2027, two new resorts are set to open: Madarao Kogen Hotel and Lime Resort Myoko, both joining Accor’s luxuryLuxuryA lifestyle defined by exceptional quality, craftsmanship, exclusivity, and sophistication, encompassing the finest products, services, and experiences that represent the highest standards of refinement and excellence.Go to Luxury Glossary boutique collection, MGallery.

Madarao Kogen Hotel is undergoing a comprehensive transformation and should reopen in late 2027. This refurbished resort will feature approximately 80 guest rooms (standard, deluxe, and suites) designed with Alpine-style comfort and Japanese minimalism in mind. Guests can expect signature restaurants, a lobby lounge, and even an off-site “Ski Diner” perched at the crossroads of ski runs. This is further complemented by a destination pool bar, onsen baths, hot springs, ski-rental facilities, and conference amenities.

The move follows the opening of the first MGallery in Sapporo last year. These new additions will soon turn into four-season, experience-rich destinations that should appeal primarily to discerning travelers who seek designer-immersive, nature-focused experiences.

MGallery Valmorel is another property set to open in mountain slopes, this time in Switzerland. The expansion to mountain resorts signifies the group’s focus on experiential retreats. *Accor*

Likewise, Lime Resort Myoko is on its way to becoming a modernized wellness-focused retreat. Notable for its proximity to the base of Mount Myōkō at the Myoko-Togakushi Renzan National Park, the hotel is preparing to accommodate year-round activities. These should include forest bathing, hiking, cycling, golf, and more in the near future. Myōkō is mostly known for its heavy snowfall (averaging 13.4 metres annually). It enjoys one of Japan’s longest ski runs at 8.5 km, as well. Slated to open in the winter of 2026, the resort will offer 38 rooms, restaurants, a lounge café and bar, onsen facilities, fitness, and even kids’ club amenities.

With the resorts only being 30 minutes apart from one another, they are easily connected through a dedicated shuttle service. Each is also linked to Patience’s existing regional assets, including Myōkō Suginohara Ski Resort and Nagano Dunes Golf Club. One of their biggest draws is that the resorts are approximately only a three-hour drive or a two-hour train ride from Tokyo. So this means the venture offers accessible mountain luxury for high-net-worth Japanese and international travelers.

In an era when luxuryLuxuryA lifestyle defined by exceptional quality, craftsmanship, exclusivity, and sophistication, encompassing the finest products, services, and experiences that represent the highest standards of refinement and excellence.Go to Luxury Glossary travelers seek authenticity over standardization, mountain resorts like these are diversifying their offerings to reflect a broader shift to regional stories and experiential designs.

“Madarao Kogen Hotel and Lime Resort Myoko joining MGallery Collection represents a new chapter for our collection in Asia, places where nature, design, and culture converge,” says Maud Bailly, CEO of Sofitel Legend, Sofitel, MGallery & Emblems. “We are proud to bring MGallery’s spirit of memorable and meaningful travel to the Japanese Mountains.”