Hakuba, Japan
Famous for hosting 1998 Winter Olympics events, Hakuba is located in the spectacular Japanese Alps. The journey from Tokyo to Hakuba takes around 3-4 hours, making it easily accessible for international travellers. Often compared with Niseko, Hakuba offers a larger ski area and is famous for great snow, big mountains, hot springs, cultural experiences and the chance to visit snow monkeys. Hakuba comprises 10 ski resorts with terrain suited to all level of skiers and snowboarders, from beginners to experts. With towering alpine peaks and an incredible range of accommodation, Hakuba Valley is a must visit destination.
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10 Hakuba Ski Resorts
With seemingly endless ski terrain, lots of different village areas to explore and a rich cultural experience to indulge in, Hakuba ski resorts offer a snow holiday experience like no other! Here they are listed, not in order of size or importance, but from South to North along the valley.
Jiigatake Ski Resort
Located at the southern end of Hakuba Valley near the town of Omachi, Jiigatake is the smallest Hakuba ski resort. If you are looking for a calm beginner and family friendly resort with zero crowds, then Jiigatake is just the ticket. With just a handful of lifts and gentle wide open slopes, this resort is a paradise for beginners. Additionally, there is a kids sledging area and snowmobiling forest tours on offer.
| Season | December-March |
| Snowfall | 12 metres+ |
| Elevation | 1,200 metres |
| Base | 940 metres |
| Vertical | 260 metres |
| Park | No |
| Lifts | 0 Gondolas / 4 Lifts |
| Terrain | 70% Beginner / 30% Intermediate / 12% Expert |
| Best for | Empty runs, beginners, kids |
| Trail Map | Go To Hakuba Maps |
| Lift Pass | Hakuba Ski Pass, Epic Pass |
| Official Site | https://jiigatake.com |
Kashimayari Ski Resort
Kashimayari is an uncrowded and undiscovered Hakuba ski resort. With varied runs, Japan’s longest snow tubing course and spectacular views of Lake Aoki and the surrounding peaks, this quiet resort offers the chance for everyone to enjoy skiing in Hakuba powder!
| Season | December-March |
| Snowfall | 12 metres+ |
| Elevation | 1,550 metres |
| Base | 830 metres |
| Vertical | 720 metres |
| Park | No |
| Lifts | 0 Gondolas / 5 Lifts |
| Terrain | 40% Beginner / 45% Intermediate / 15% Expert |
| Best for | Off the beaten track, beginners, snow-tubing, views |
| Trail Map | Go To Hakuba Maps |
| Lift Pass | Hakuba Ski Pass, Epic Pass |
| Official Site | https://www-kashimayari-net.translate |
HAKUBA KASHIMAYARI ACCOMMODATION
Sanosaka Ski Resort
Primarily famed for its spectacular views of Lake Aoki and quiet slopes, Sanosaka is a Hakuba ski resort popular with families. Beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders will love the slopes here. A mellow resort, but perfect for all levels of skier who want to escape the crowds and soak up beautiful alpine views.
| Season | December-March |
| Snowfall | 12 metres+ |
| Elevation | 1,200 metres |
| Base | 740 metres |
| Vertical | 460 metres |
| Park | No |
| Lifts | 0 Gondolas / 5 Lifts |
| Terrain | 40% Beginner / 40% Intermediate / 20% Expert |
| Best for | Quiet resort, beginners, intermediates, lake views |
| Trail Map | Go To Hakuba Maps |
| Lift Pass | Hakuba Ski Pass, Epic Pass |
| Official Site | https://sanosaka.jp/ |
HAKUBA SANOSAKA ACCOMMODATION
Goryu Ski Resort
Connected to Hakuba 47 resort, Goryu has three main areas. The Toomi and Iimori lower slope areas are ideal for beginners and families while Alps Daira, on Goryu’s upper slopes, offers sensational views of Hakuba Valley and is perfectly suited to intermediate skiers and snowboarders. The Escal Plaza base building offers an abundance of facilities including shops and a large variety of restaurant and dining options. The Toomi slope is open daily in the evenings for night skiing.
| Season | December-May |
| Snowfall | 12 metres+ |
| Elevation | 1,676 metres |
| Base | 750 metres |
| Vertical | 926 metres |
| Park | No (lift connection to Hakuba 47 Park|) |
| Lifts | 1 Gondola / 12 Lifts |
| Terrain | 35% Beginner / 40% Intermediate / 25% Expert |
| Best for | Groomed runs, intermediates, night skiing |
| Trail Map | Go To Hakuba Maps |
| Ski Pass | Hakuba Ski Pass, Epic Pass |
| Official Site | https://www.hakubaescal.com |
HAKUBA GORYU ACCOMMODATION
Hakuba 47 Ski Resort
Hakuba 47 features the best terrain park of any Hakuba ski resort, with a half pipe and a variety of jumps and rails. Skiing in Hakuba 47 is varied and fun, so suitable for families, and powder seekers will love the tree riding zones. Just don’t forget to register at the base area to become a member to get access to these off-piste areas. Linked to Goryu ski resort, these two areas provide a good variety of terrain options and are easily accessible from the popular Echoland Hakuba accommodation area.
| Season | December-May |
| Snowfall | 12 metres+ |
| Elevation | 1,614 metres |
| Base | 820 metres |
| Vertical | 794 metres |
| Park | Yes |
| Lifts | 1 Gondola / 6 Lifts |
| Terrain | 30% Beginner / 40% Intermediate / 30% Expert |
| Best for | Park, Echoland, off-piste powder (register first!) |
| Trail Map | Go To Hakuba Maps |
| Lift Pass | Hakuba Ski Pass, Epic Pass |
| Official Site | https://www.hakuba47.co.jp/ |
HAKUBA 47 ACCOMMODATION
Happo One Ski Resort
Centrally located in the valley, Happo One is the largest and most popular Hakuba ski resort and home to more Hakuba accommodation than any of Hakuba’s other ski areas. With a few beginner slopes around the lower base areas, Happo’s predominantly steeper and open slopes are best suited to intermediate and advanced skiers wanting to experience the most renowned piste skiing in Hakuba. Japan Alps’ impressive mountain peaks tower over the resort, making for a spectacular backdrop. Whether you are looking for prestigious Hakuba hotels such as Tokyu and the Mominoki, apartments or lodges, you can find them all at the base of Happo.
| Season | December-May |
| Snowfall | 12 metres+ |
| Elevation | 1,831 metres |
| Base | 760 metres |
| Vertical | 1071 metres |
| Park | No |
| Lifts | 1 Gondola / 22 Lifts |
| Terrain | 30% Beginner / 50% Intermediate / 20% Expert |
| Best for | Long vertical, steep terrain, accommodation base |
| Trail Map | Go To Hakuba Maps |
| Lift Pass | Hakuba Ski Pass, Epic Pass |
| Official Site | https://www.happo-one.jp |
HAPPO ONE ACCOMMODATION
Iwatake Ski Resort
With a good variety of slopes, and offering 360 panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valley, Iwatake is a fun and cruisy resort loved by intermediate skiers and snowboarders. The resort has grown in popularity and attracted a lot of attention in recent years thanks to the spectacular Hakuba Mountain Harbor viewing platform and City Bakery.
| Season | December-May |
| Snowfall | 12 metres+ |
| Elevation | 1,289 metres |
| Base | 750 metres |
| Vertical | 539 metres |
| Park | Yes |
| Lifts | 1 Gondola / 10 Lifts |
| Terrain | 30% Beginner / 50% Intermediate / 20% Expert |
| Best for | Alpine scenery, cruisy groomers, intermediates |
| Trail Map | Go To Hakuba Maps |
| Lift Pass | Hakuba Ski Pass, Epic Pass |
| Official Site | https://iwatake-mountain-resort.com |
HAKUBA IWATAKE ACCOMMODATION
Tsugaike Ski Resort
One of the largest Hakuba resorts, Tsugaike offers incredible variety and typically very quiet slopes. With stunning alpine scenery, long runs perfect for intermediates to cruise down, backcountry access, superb tree skiing and Japan’s largest beginner slope area, this emerging gem is a true Hakuba skiing highlight.
| Season | December-May |
| Snowfall | 12 metres+ |
| Elevation | 1,704 metres |
| Base | 800 metres |
| Vertical | 904 metres |
| Park | Yes |
| Lifts | 1 Gondola / 18 Lifts |
| Terrain | 50% Beginner / 30% Intermediate / 20% Expert |
| Best for | Wide, easy groomers, off-piste tree skiing |
| Trail Map | Go To Hakuba Maps |
| Lift Pass | Hakuba Ski Pass, Epic Pass |
| Official Site | https://www.tsugaike.gr.jp |
HAKUBA TSUGAIKE ACCOMMODATION
Norikura Ski Resort
Linked to Cortina, Norikura is an often overlooked Hakuba ski resort, but the quiet lower slopes are beginner and family friendly, while the upper slopes offer fun terrain for freeriding in deep powder. A magical place that reminds us of what skiing in Hakuba used to be like, in a good way!
| Season | December-March |
| Snowfall | 12 metres+ |
| Elevation | 1,300 metres |
| Base | 700 metres |
| Vertical | 600 metres |
| Park | Yes |
| Lifts | 0 Gondolas / 9 Lifts |
| Terrain | 30% Beginner / 50% Intermediate / 20% Expert |
| Best for | Quiet resort, beginners, new lift & powder access |
| Trail Map | Go To Hakuba Maps |
| Lift Pass | Hakuba Ski Pass, Epic Pass |
| Official Site | https://www.hakunori.com |
HAKUBA NORIKURA ACCOMMODATION
Cortina Ski Resort
Famed for its steep and deep tree skiing, Cortina resort is unmissable for true off-piste enthusiasts. Famous for the huge iconic Hakuba Green Plaza Hotel at its base and arguably the valley’s best powder, Cortina is the Hakuba ski resort local powder hounds can no longer keep secret!
| Season | December-April |
| Snowfall | 12 metres+ |
| Elevation | 1,402 metres |
| Base | 872 metres |
| Vertical | 530 metres |
| Park | No |
| Lifts | 0 Gondolas / 6 Lifts |
| Terrain | 40% Beginner / 30% Intermediate / 30% Expert |
| Best for | Powder trees, hotel onsen overlooking ski resort |
| Trail Map | Go To Hakuba Maps |
| Lift Pass | Hakuba Ski Pass, Epic Pass |
| Official Site | https://www.hgp.co.jp/cortina |
HAKUBA CORTINA ACCOMMODATION
Why Choose Hakuba
Hakuba is the ultimate Japan ski holiday destination for anybody looking for vast and diverse terrain, spectacular Alpine scenery and great snow! Since it comprises 10 resorts, Hakuba is one of the most extensive ski areas in Japan, offering something for everyone, from steep and deep to mellow groomers. There are numerous ski villages you can choose from in Hakuba; if you are looking for a buzzing international ski town where you will be surrounded by amazing restaurants, après ski and have good connections to all resorts, head for Echoland, if you’re looking accommodation within a stone’s throw of Hakuba’s biggest resort, head to Wadano, and if you want old school Japanese charm, stay at a more off the beaten track resort like Tsugaike. Given its location in the center of mainland Japan, Hakuba also offers the chance to explore! Visit the snow monkeys, head to Matsumoto Castle for the day, or experience Nozawa Onsen fire festival!
Given Niseko’s earlier rise to fame as an international ski resort, Niseko and Hakuba are inevitably compared, but could hardly be more different! Mt. Niseko Annupuri is a single mountain which hosts all 4 Niseko United resorts the highest of which is 1,200m. Hakuba ski resorts however are spread throughout a long valley and while a few are interconnected, most are independent ski areas. You can choose whether to stay in one area where you can walk to the lifts and restaurants, or to travel to a different resort each day. In terms of snow, while Honshu cannot compete with Hokkaido in terms of consistency of light dry powder, Hakuba’s location on Western Honshu also means an abundance of snowfall and its high altitude with runs starting above 1,800m ensures reliable conditions. This combination often means incredible deep powder snow, with all the benefits of being based in the cultural heart of Japan! Late season, we would even suggest you might experience better snow quality skiing in Hakuba than Niseko!
What's New in Hakuba
From spectacular new luxury properties to the emergence of smaller, lesser known Hakuba ski resorts, a lot has been going on in Hakuba Japan over the past few years. We hope you might make it over this winter to check it out for the first time since the pandemic, but if not, here’s the lowdown!
New Hakuba Accommodation
Luxury apartments, oversized chalets and more
The Hakuba accommodation boom hasn’t slowed down while international visitors have been away. From ski in ski out Happo One properties like Roka Apartments, to an explosion of large, luxury, private chalets in Echoland such as Gravity, Echo Rocks and The Castle, and the beautiful Hakuba Amber Resort in Misorano, there is more choice than ever!
Hakuba Mountain Harbour
Spectacular Viewing Area & City Bakery at Iwatake Ski Resort
Not a brand new development, Hakuba Mountain Harbour opened for the 2018-19 ski season, but with Japan’s borders closed since 2020, most international visitors won’t have made it over there yet. Iwatake ski resort is a fantastic ski area with amazing groomed runs and spectacular scenery, so this Hakuba Valley viewing area and City Bakery provide the perfect excuse to go and check it out!
Snow Peak Land Station Hakuba
Retail, Restaurant, Starbuck, Tourist Info & Events
An inspiring architectural achievement, Snow Peak Land Station Hakuba adds to an already impressive retail line up in Hakuba and provides the sort of space that helps to define a world-class ski area. Offering first class facilities and tourist information while providing spectacular vistas of the surrounding Hakuba Valley scenery from the glass structure, this venue will be an exciting place to visit on your next Hakuba ski holiday.
HAKUBA HOLIDAYS
Japan Ski Experience are Hakuba ski resort specialists offering a broad range of Hakuba accommodation and resort services together with the best early bird deals available. Book with us for the best customer service and expert local advice, from your first enquiry until you arrive home from skiing in Hakuba.
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