Japan Ski Guide powered by SURF&SNOW

Language

Ski & Snowboard

Famed as the venue for the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, Hakuba is Japan's most prominent mountain resort, attracting skiers and snowboarders every winter thanks to its world-class snow and slopes. What's more, the Hakuba area is popular with climbers and hikers summer who scale the 3,000m-high summits. The Hakuba mountain range is situated in the symbolic northern part of the Ushirotateyama range, itself in the northernmost reaches of the Japan Alps. The symbols of Hakuba are its three towering peaks - Hakubadake (2,932m), Shakushidake (2,812m), and Hakuba Yarigatake (2,903m).
The Hakuba region at the foot of these majestic mountains is called Hakuba Valley; this is also the collective name for the nine ski resorts in the area (in Omachi, Hakuba, and Otari). Each individual ski resort boasts its own character yet partners with the others to create value and charm as an integrated ski resort.

HAKUBA VALLEY Joint Lift Pass

The best thing about the nine ski resorts getting together is the new unified ticketing system, the Hakuba Valley Ticket. This offers loads of value and convenience over the old system, where each resort separately operated and managed its own system. This means you can ski in all nine resorts with a single pass! Simply ride any lift in any of Hakuba's nine resorts without queuing up at the ticket counter. You can purchase one-, two- and three-day tickets valid for all ski resorts, and even try several resorts in a single day!
Thanks to the high altitude, Hakuba Valley's ski pistes offer breathtaking vistas matched with abundant snow and a multitude of terrains. A word of caution, though: the weather can change rapidly, bringing strong winds, blizzards and poor visibility. As skiing and snowboarding are outdoor sports, accidents can occur and gondolas and lifts may stop operating. The nine Hakuba Valley ski resorts stretch from north to south with slopes facing all directions, so ski pistes may experience totally different conditions even on the same day.
It's not unusual to see one ski piste engulfed in a blizzard, while the others are enjoying bright blue skies. One advantage of the joint lift pass is that you can choose which of the nine resorts you want to ski at depending on the day's conditions.
A convenient shuttle bus service connects Hakuba Valley's nine resorts, allowing you to move from one piste to another without removing your ski boots. When you get on a lift, you'll be wearing a Hakuba Valley Ticket with an embedded IC chip. Simply walk through the new gate system introduced last season (*excluding Jiigatake and Kashimayari, where you need to go to the counter and present your pass to get a ticket.)
You can reuse the IC card lift pass you purchase at Hakuba Valley as a My Hakuba Pass, and recharge it over the Internet. That way you can jump on the lift on the day you ski or snowboard without having to queue up in the morning at the ticket center.

Ski pistes at Hakuba Valley

Let's take a look at the nine ski resorts in Hakuba Valley. Enjoy Hakuba Valley, Japan's premier mega-scale snow resort, to the fullest!

Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort (Otari Village)

Situated at the northernmost end of the Hakuba area, with loads of snow and the area's best powder, Hakuba Cortina draws a lot of attention both domestically and from overseas. The view from the summit is magnificent, and takes in the Ushirotateyama mountain range of the Northern Alps, plus the five Hokushin mountains including Mt. Myoko. The ski resort is also fully equipped with facilities for kids and families.

Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort (Otari Village)

Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort is a 100% natural-snow paradise, sprawling at the foot of Mt. Hakuba Norikura at the northern end of the Northern Alps. The ski pistes consist of Satomi piste and Wakaguri piste, with a variety of runs that are sure to satisfy beginners to experts. All runs also accommodate snowboarders and snow skaters.

Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort (Otari Village)

One of the largest fields in the Hakuba area, Tsugaike Kogen offers wide and gentle slopes that are perfect for beginners, intermediates and families to ski safely. But it's not just for kids and beginners. There is also an ungroomed area called Tsugaike Powder for the powderhounds among you.

Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field (Hakuba Village)

Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field boasts a panoramic view that takes in the entire Hakuba mountain range. There are 16 gondolas and lifts that offer access to a variety of 25 runs built to take advantage of the array of natural terrains. The resort has an open feel to it, with runs that can be combined any way you like. The ungroomed powder run is also a hit.

Hakuba Happo One Ski Resort (Hakuba Village)

One of the most famous ski resorts in Japan with its enormous scale, Hakuba Happo One was also home to countless dramas at the Nagano Olympics. Based at the foot of Mt. Karamatsu (2,196m), the resort hosts a variety of intermediate to advanced runs. You'll be in heaven as you tackle courses ranging from the tough mogul slope at the top of the ski piste, to the long run that descends 1,000 vertical meters.

Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park (Hakuba Village)

This is a ski piste that not only features a great park for intermediate to advanced skiers and snowboarders, but also a 6.5km-long forest run from the summit that's great for beginners to enjoy the magnificent view. Many famous riders visit the Snow Park, so you can have a close look at their amazing skills. There's a total of 23 runs, including those of Hakuba Goryu Ski Resort, which you can access from the summit.

Hakuba Goryu Ski Resort (Hakuba Village)

Hakuba Goryu has so much snow that there are ample opportunities to enjoy snow sports from the end of November right through to Japanese Golden Week in early May. It comprises three characteristic pistes: Alps, Tomi and Iimori. You'll find various designated areas for racing, moguls, a snow park and kids, offering all kinds of attractions.

Kashimayari Ski Resort (Omachi)

Kashimayari is a ski piste in one of the best locations, with a view of majestic Mt. Kashimayari (2,890m). There are north and west peaks, and you can enjoy a dramatic view from the peak of the ski piste at an elevation of 1,550m. There will be powder snow during the peak season.

Jiigatake Ski Resort (Omachi)

Jiigatake lies at the southernmost end of the area, mostly encompassing gentle slopes on the east side of Mt. Jiigatake. On a sunny day, you can have a peek of the northern part of Azumino between the valleys. The resort has a forest run with lots of natural atmosphere, and a sledding slope for kids that's popular with families.
text : Kensuke Itahara

Facility Information

Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort
Address
12860-1 Chikuniotsu, Otari-mura, Kitaazumi-gun, Nagano 399-9422
URL
https://snow.gurunavi.com/guide/htm/r0033ens.htm

Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort
Address
12851 Oaza Chikuni Aza Wakaba Otsu, Otari-mura, Azumi-gun, Nagano 399-9422

Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort
Address
Tsugaike, Otari-mura, Kitaazumi-gun, Nagano 399-9422
URL
https://snow.gurunavi.com/guide/htm/r0144ens.htm

Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field
Address
Iwatake, Hakuba-mura, Kitaazumi-gun, Nagano 399-9301
URL
https://snow.gurunavi.com/guide/htm/r0143ens.htm

Hakuba Happo-One Siki Resort
Address
Happo, Hakuba-mura, Kitaazumi-gun, Nagano 399-9301
URL
https://snow.gurunavi.com/guide/htm/r0142ens.htm

Hakuba47 Winter Sports Park
Address
24196-47 Kamishiro, Hakuba-mura, Kitaazumi-gun, Nagano 399-9211
URL
https://snow.gurunavi.com/guide/htm/r0061ens.htm

Hakuba Goryu Ski Resort
Address
Kamishiro, Hakuba-mura, Kitaazumi-gun, Nagano 399-9211
URL
https://snow.gurunavi.com/guide/htm/r0041ens.htm

Kashimayari Ski Resort
Address
Kurosawa Kogen, Taira, Omachi-shi, Nagano 398-0001
URL
https://snow.gurunavi.com/guide/htm/r0196ens.htm

Jiigatake Ski Resort
Address
4819 Taira, Omachi-shi, Nagano 398-0001

Article List about Surrounding Areas

Ski & Snowboard

Enjoy a long winter season at Tsugaike Mountain Resort! From epic powder runs to fun-filled kids' parks, this BIG-scale resort has it all. Dive into the ultimate winter adventure!

powder snow / Hakuba / Hakuba Valley 

Ski & Snowboard

Three recommended ski resorts where you can experience the outstanding sensation of floating in powder snow【The Hakuba region】

powder snow / japow（japan powder） / tree riding / Hakuba / Nagano 

Ski & Snowboard

"Experience the ultimate winter getaway with enchanting powder and blissful resort stays at Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort!"

powder snow / japow（japan powder） / Après-ski / gourmet / Hakuba / Nagano 

Activity

On-piste snowshoe tour

snowshoe / snow activities / majestic view / Hakuba / Nagano 

Visit

Great onsen of Hakuba

onsen / Hakuba / Nagano 

Article List in Terms of Ski & Snowboard

Ski & Snowboard

Effortless arrival from Osaka! Biwako Valley offers breathtaking views of Lake Biwa and an active, adventurous skiing experience to enjoy to the fullest.

gourmet / majestic view / easily accessible / girls-trip / Shiga 

Ski & Snowboard

Introducing how to enjoy Ryuoo Ski Park, the ski resort that's the easiest in Japan for snowboarding beginners.

powder snow / beginner / Après-ski / gourmet / girls-trip / Nagano 

Ski & Snowboard

"Sugadaira Kogen Snow Resort" Declares Itself Japan's "Easiest to Ski" Resort! The Fun Starts with Choosing the Right Ski Resort!

powder snow / beginner / Family / Nagano 

Ski & Snowboard

【Tambara Ski Park】Slope layout that beginners and families can ski with ease. Easy access from central Tokyo is also an attraction!

rental / powder snow / kids/family / beginner / gourmet / Gunma 

Ski & Snowboard

Enjoy a long winter season at Tsugaike Mountain Resort! From epic powder runs to fun-filled kids' parks, this BIG-scale resort has it all. Dive into the ultimate winter adventure!

powder snow / Hakuba / Hakuba Valley 

PAGE TOP