IN A NUTSHELL

Located just over 3hrs from Tokyo by train, Hakuba Japan ski resort is on of Japan's premier ski destinations considered the real Japanese ski experience

Hakuba SKI RESORT

Located in northwestern Nagano Prefecture at the base of the 3,000-m tall Northern Japan Alps, Hakuba ski resort boasts 10 individual resorts blessed with abundant snowfall and high-quality powder snow.

Host of the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, Hakuba ski resort welcomes guests from around the world to enjoy winter sports at world-class facilities.
From gentle groomed runs to 8-km-long cruising courses, ski holidays to Hakuba Japan offer something for everyone.

Hakuba Japan ski resort can be easily reached by a number of transport methods. The most common way to travel to Hakuba ski resort is a shuttle bus from the Tokyo airports, or for those travelling from Tokyo or Kyoto cities, a ride on the bullet train to nearby Nagano city, followed by a one hour bus or pre-booked taxi ride to the Hakuba ski resort. Enjoy the scenery of the alpine hills and valleys on your journey whichever way you travel.

THE SKIING IN Hakuba SKI RESORT

As Japan's premier ski region, Hakuba ski resort offers more terrain, vertical rise and advanced ski slopes than anywhere in Japan. Having hosted the 1998 Winter Olympic Games and numerous FIS World Cup events, skiing in Hakuba Japan has a well-established international reputation as a world-class ski destination. From one end of the valley to the other and with 10 resorts accessing over 130 ski runs as well as providing access to incredible off-piste terrain of the Japan Alps, Hakuba ski resort's reputation as a serious skiers and snowboarders’ destination is well balanced across all levels. This combination of world-class skiing, abundant snowfalls, sunny skies and 10 ski resorts truly makes Hakuba ski resort a precious gem among the rugged Japan Alps. From the complete novice to the expert skier, Hakuba ski resort provides some of the best skiing in Japan. Everything from gentle beginner slopes, to steeps, bumps and long groomers, and of course, plenty of fresh powder. Happo One Resort is Hakuba Valley's premier ski resort, boasting some of the highest snowfalls and longest vertical pitches in all of Japan, while Hakuba 47 and Goryu's terrain challenges everyone from first timers to experts. Tsugaike and Iwatake resorts are also well suited to the beginner and intermediate levels, with long cruising trails and plenty of powder runs for those who wish to explore. Hakuba Japan skiing has built a reputation as a serious skiers destination is well balanced across all levels, offering something for everyone.

EPIC PASS PARTNER
5 TOTAL DAYS EACH AT HAKUBA SKI RESORT AND RUSUTSU, JAPAN
A total of five consecutive days of skiing and snowboarding at Hakuba Valley's ten ski resorts, and Rusutsu, Japan.

Hakuba47 Winter Sports Park
Hakuba Cortina Snow Resort
ABLE Hakuba Goryu Snow Resort
Hakuba Happo-one Snow Resort
Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field
Hakuba Norikura Onsen Snow Resort
Jiigatake Snow Resort
Kashimayari Snow Resort
Tsugaike Mountain Resort
White Resort Hakuba Sanosaka

WHAT IS THE SKIING LIKE AT HAKUBA?

Hakuba Valley offers a diverse skiing experience suitable for all ability levels, with each resort catering to different types of skiers. Here’s a breakdown for beginners, intermediates, and advanced skiers:

Beginners
Best Resorts: Tsugaike Kogen, Hakuba Goryu, Norikura, Iwatake
Terrain: Wide, gentle slopes with plenty of space to learn and progress. Tsugaike Kogen is especially known as one of the most beginner-friendly resorts in Japan, offering ultra-wide, low-gradient slopes like the Kane-no-naru-oka Slope (average 8° incline) that are ideal for new skiers and families.
Features: Excellent ski schools, well-groomed runs, and safe areas for first-timers.
Comments: “By far the best for complete beginners” is often said about Tsugaike, with Goryu’s Iimori and Norikura’s learning zones also highly rated.

Intermediates
Best Resorts: Hakuba 47, Goryu, Iwatake, Cortina
Terrain: A large number of red (intermediate) runs offering progression from green slopes. Iwatake and Hakuba 47 have many long, wide intermediate pistes, with Goryu featuring particularly good grooming and variety.
Features: Some resorts, like Cortina and Norikura (using a dual pass), have terrain that allows intermediates to try tree skiing and gentle off-piste with manageable challenges.
Comments: Japanese “red” intermediate runs can be steeper and more challenging than their Western counterparts, offering a good step-up for those looking to progress.

Advanced
Best Resorts: Happo One, Hakuba 47, Cortina, Tsugaike (DBD area)
Terrain: Steep pistes, moguls, challenging off-piste, world-famous tree runs, and abundant powder. Resorts like Happo One have iconic runs with gradients over 30–35° (Reisen Slalom, Olympic Course 2), while Cortina draws advanced skiers for its legendary tree-skiing and deep snow.
Features: Dedicated “Double Black Diamond” freeride zones (e.g., Tsugaike DBD), expert tree areas (47 Tree Zone and Cortina), and demanding mogul fields. Access to backcountry routes for experienced riders
Comments: Hakuba is known globally for its advanced terrain and is a magnet for powder hounds and expert-level skiers. Advanced areas are not always suitable for snowboarding due to moguls and steepness, but freeriders will find challenging conditions and huge snowfall

Hakuba Property Map