Hakuba
Hakuba Valley is at the heart of the spectacular Japanese Alps, just a short 3 hour trip from downtown Tokyo. Host to the 1998 Winter Olympic Games, Hakuba is one of Japan’s largest and most renowned alpine resorts. The Valley consists of 9 ski resorts, giving an incredible variety of alpine terrain, accommodating for everyone from novice to expert. With this multitude of ski resorts to choose from, you will find that during the week the slopes are relatively empty and that lift lines are unheard of. Fresh tracks can be found for days on end and you will never be short of new areas to explore.
Averaging over 10 metres of snow a season, Hakuba offers reliability and quality of snow. With over 200 different trails and some of Japan’s longest vertical skiing and challenging terrain, Hakuba is a world class ski destination not to be missed.
No jet lag, same time zone!
Japan is only two hours behind Australia's East Coast summer time and is only a 10 hour flight away. You usually leave home one day, and after a good night's sleep, you're skiing or boarding the next day! (depending on airline itinerary).
Accommodation
SkiJapan.com's accommodation in these resorts comprises of some of the best situated and most comfortable hotels and lodges in the area. We have an extensive selection of different styles of accommodation available, including traditional family-run pensiones and lodges, self-contained cottages and hotels with Japanese and Western style bedding. If this is your first time travelling to the Hakuba Valley, we highly recommend that you stay in a hotel or lodge. With such a large area to explore, you will find the assistance and knowledge of the hotel staff to be invaluable during your stay.
The Hakuba valley expands across 9 ski resorts. Most accommodation is situated at the base on Happo-One Mountain, in the Wadano village. Restaurants are scattered throughout area. Many of the large hotels also offer lovely restaurants and hot spring baths, which are open to the public. Alternatively many of our guests enjoy staying in Echoland, which is the main restaurant and bar area of the Hakuba valley. The main shuttle bus services linking most of the resorts, passes through the main street. Happo-One is the closest resort, about a 3 minute shuttle bus ride away.
To view our accommodation listings CLICK HERE
Lift passes
This season the Hakuba All mountain lift pass offers access to Sanosaka, Goryu, Hakuba47, Happo-one, Iwatake, Minetaka, Tsugaike, Norikura and Cortina. Pass coupons are exchanged daily at your resort of choice.
The Hakuba Alpen 3 pass is a combined discount pass which covers three of the largest resorts Happo One, Iwatake and Tsuigaike. This pass offers great flexibility as the lift pass coupons can be exchanged for cultural tours, spa packages or dinners.
The Culture
Hakuba has an array of restaurants, bars, shops and tours available. Onsen’s are a must when visiting Hakuba, where you can relax with the locals and take in the serenity. Day tours to the Snow Monkeys, Matsumoto Castle or a Japanese cultural workshop, will certainly heighten your Japan holiday experience.
HAKUBA MOUNTAIN STATISTICS Ski Season
Dec - April Mountain Elevation 1831m Runs Steepest: 35degrees. Longest: 8km
Number of Lifts 138 Ski Lifts, 5 Gondolas Terrain Beginner 30%, Intermediate: 40%, Advanced:30% Average Snowfall 11 metres Opening Hours 8:30am-8:30pm 7 days a week throughout the ski season Snow Making Not needed Night Skiing No Parks and Pipe Yes
Below is a brief overview of the 4 recommended mountains in the Hakuba Valley
Happo One
Happo One is the biggest resort in Hakuba. With 26 lifts and over a 1000m of vertical, the mountain offers everything from wide-open groomers, long cruising trails to steep, banked, powder filled lines.
As management is slightly more relaxed about off-piste skiing, there is a great range of terrain to satisfy any intermediate / advanced rider. There is also back country accessed from the top of the mountain.
To Download a PDF version of the Happo ONE trail Map CLICK HERE.
Ski Season
Steepest: 35degrees. Longest: 8km
Goryu - Hakuba 47 Combined Resorts
The combined Hakuba 47, Goryu-Toomi and Iimori is a diverse mountain with something to offer everyone.
The lower areas of Goryu and Iimori cater well for beginners with wide open runs and a good consistent slope. The upper mountain and Hakuba 47 provides steep challenging runs for the more intermediate and advanced skiers and riders. With north-west facing mountains, most of the area is unaffected by the sun, giving it consist dry powder conditions.
Hakuba 47 boasts the best terrain park and only superpipe in the area. The park is well maintained and has a variety of kickers and rails for all levels.
To Download a PDF version of the HAKUBA 47/GORYU trail Map CLICK HERE.
Iwatake
Iwatake is suited for the beginner, family and intermediate skiers and boarders. The mountain has lots of wide open terrain, with some good challenging courses and steep pitches for the more demanding skiers. Being able to access all faces of the mountain, means there is always good snow to be found.
To Download a PDF version of the IWATAKE trail Map CLICK HERE
Cortina
Located at the northern end of the Valley, Cortina is often forgotten about. For those who are in the know, this considered to be Hakuba’s best kept secret! Although this is a small resort, Cortina receives the highest snowfall in the valley, boasting a huge open bowl and with frequent big snowfalls, offers endless runs of untouched deep powder and challenging tree lines and chutes. Recommended for advanced skiers and boarder.
To Download a PDF version of the Cortina trail Map CLICK HERE
Google Location Map