The Hakuba Valley is the jewel of the Japan Alps, located due West of Nagano City and runs roughly South to North towards the Sea of Japan.
The Valley is made up of 10 separate ski areas of varying shapes and sizes, offering great variety with somewhere to ski for everyone. Each ski area has it’s own distinct character with towering peaks and 360 degree panoramic vistas.
The ski areas are well connected to the main village areas through an extensive free shuttle bus system that services the Valley.
Hakuba Ski Map
Snow & Weather
The ski season in Hakuba runs from early December to mid / late April each year with the Hakuba Valley enjoying an average of 11m of snowfall per season. The amount of snow doesn’t vary too much from year to year with ‘bad years’ being pretty rare. Whilst not quite as light and dry as the world famous powder found in Hokkiado, the quality of the snow really is excellent here.
After a dump, the snow depth can be very deep, so when it comes to ski and boards, the wider the better is the rule. All of the ski rental stores stock powder skis and boards, so you can make the most of the incredible powder snow conditions.
Stick to North facing slopes at high elevations for the very best snow conditions found at Hakuba 47, Happo One and Cortina ski areas.
Terrain
Exploring a number of ski areas within the Hakuba Valley is the way to go, with each ski area offering something different. The Hakuba Valley All Mountain Pass, available for pre-booking with us covers all of the major ski areas in the Valley and is a convenient and flexible way to ensure you are ready to ski wherever you choose to ski.
Hakuba 47 / Goryu Ski Resort
These two ski hills are quite different and compliment each other such that combined they offer a good variety of piste runs, freestyle park features, a small amount of off piste tree runs and extensive backcountry terrain with extensive facilities at its three base stations.
Best in The Valley for:
- Steep Piste runs
- Terrain Park
- Quiet runs
- Easy to Access Backcountry
Happo One Ski Resort
Happo One has something for everyone – incredible views, a great variety of long piste runs including steeps, beginner slopes and moguls, freestyle park, great ski school & guiding services and seriously steep, fantastic backcountry terrain.
Best in The Valley for:
- Intermediates
- English speaking Ski School
- Serious Backcountry Terrain
- Groups of mixed ability levels
Iwatake Ski Resort
Iwatake ski area offer tremendous views and is ideal for Intermediate skiers and snowboarders. From the top of the mountain, there are spectacular 360 degree views over to Happo One, the rest of the Hakuba Valley and peaks of the Japan Alps on the horizon.
Best in The Valley for:
- Intermediates
- Terrain
- Park Views
Tsugaike Ski Resort
Tsugaike has a good variety of beginner and intermediate piste runs, a well maintained terrain park and some backcountry terrain suitable for those less experienced in backcountry skiing and snowboarding.
Best in The Valley for:
- Beginners
- Lift system
Cortina Ski Resort
Cortina is not the largest resort but does have some impressive terrain and boasts the most snowfall and the most progressive off piste policy of any ski area in the Valley – the best choice on a powder day.
Best in The Valley for:
- Tree Skiing
- Off Piste & Sidecountry Terrain
- Powder Skiing
All information is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing.