HAKUBA SKI TRAILS OVERVIEW
Average Snowfall over 10 metres per season
Lift pass covers 8 Resorts connected by free shuttle bus, 135 lifts, over 200 runs for all levels, Longest Run 8 km
Sight of the 1998 Nagano Olympics, Back country skiing (Guide essential), Snow cat tours
There are 9 ski resorts in the Hakuba valley, all resorts operate a main Gondola lift that is fully enclosed, providing access to the main slopes. Express quad lifts are also common, providing fast access to runs. Double chairs are widely utilised, especially for providing access to the more advanced slopes. Most resorts are operating new and modern lift facilities, supported by professional grooming and snowmaking services.
For the Skiers
From the complete novice to the expert skier, Hakuba provides some of the best skiing in all of Japan. Everything from gentle beginner slopes to steeps, bumps and long groomers and of course plenty of fresh powder. The Happo-One resort has some of the longest vertical pitches in all of Japan and is Hakuba’s premier skiers mountain. Hakuba 47 and Goryu-Toomi challenges everyone from first timers to experts. Tsugaike and Iwatake are well suited for the beginner to intermediate, with long cruising trails providing an opportunity for non-stop uninterrupted skiing. Hakuba's reputation as a serious skiers destination is well balanced across all levels and offers something for everyone.
For the Snowboarders
Endless half-pipes, terrain parks, gullies, hits, powder bowls and steeps are on offer for you in Hakuba. From Sun Alpina to Hakuba Cortina the variety of terrain on offer is guaranteed to satisfy all levels. For the beginner, learn to snowboard with great views, helpful instructors and gentle slopes at all of the resorts. For the experts, fantastic powder conditions, berms, jumps, half-pipes, terrain parks and plenty of freestyle action is waiting to be had. Take your pick, as every resort has plenty on offer for snowboarders in Hakuba. Favorites among the resorts are Hakuba 47 and Happo with their challenging and diverse terrain, Tsugiake's Liftsboard park and Cortina with its light, dry, deep powder and ungroomed trails.
Night-Skiing
Night skiing is available at four of the resorts in Hakuba, usually from the end of December to the end of March. Courses are fairly limited in Hakuba compared to Niseko, which has one of the largest night skiing areas in the world.
On-Mountain-Restaurants
There are ample rest stations on the mountains where food can be purchased, although it is mostly of the fast-food variety. Meals such as fried rice, noodles, and curry are well priced, and are usually large and filling. Beer and other alcoholic beverages are widely available.
Mountain facts
| Happo One |
1071m vertical, longest run 8km, 32 lifts |
| Tsugaike |
880m vertical, longest run 5km, 26 lifts |
| Goryu |
726m vertical, longest run 5km, 13 lifts |
| Hakuba 47 |
800m vertical, longest run 6.4km, 6 lifts |
| Iwatake |
539m vertical, longest run 1.7km, 16 lifts |
| Sanosaka |
460m vertical, longest run 2.1km, 7 lifts |
| Highland |
247m vertical, longest run 1.5km, 2 lifts |
| Minekata |
210m vertical, longest run 1.2km, 3 lifts |
Hakuba Statistics
| Season |
Dec - Apr |
| Snowfall |
9 - 11 metres |
| Peak Altitude |
1831 metres |
| Vertical Drop |
1071 metres |
| Longest run |
8 klm |
| Lifts Open |
8:30 a.m. |
| Lifts Close |
8:30 p.m.. |
| Level |
Beginner: 30% / intermediate: 40% / Advanced: 30% |
| Chairlifts |
138 |
| Gondolas |
5 |
