Japan
Hakuba, Honshu
Hakuba Resort Guide
10 Resorts, over 200 runs, hugh variety of terrain& breathtaking scenery.
Set high in the Japan Alps, amongst rugged peaks lies the town of Hukuba. The town provides a hub to 10 ski resorts and ample powdery snow across over 200 runs. Host of the 1998 Winter Games Nagano and Hukuba is gaining international recognition and popularity.
The Southern end of the valley Sun Alpine incorporates 2 ski areas to the linked resorts of Hukuba 47 and Guryu-Toomi and the Slympic ski resort Happo-One. The Northern end of the velley Iwatake, Tsygaike, Norikura and Cortina all offer a variety of options for skiers and boarders of different abilities.
Happo-One One of the largest resort that boasting some of the highest snowfalls and longest vertical pitches in all of Japan. Home to the 1998 Winter Olympics and the World Cup skiing events. Happo-One provides some of the best skiing, powder snow and due to it’s sheer height some breathtaking scenery.It boasts an ideal location as well as a magnifcent panoramic view surrounded by 3,000 meter high peaks. One of the best ski resorts in Japan due to it's 8,000 meter long slope.
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Happo-One Statistics
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Hakuba 47 & Goryu toomi These two modern resorts that are interlinked as they lie side by side. Both resorts are known for consistently good snow conditions and high quality dry powder.The terrain on these separate resorts is impressive and rates highly amongst skiers and boarders alike. The terrain at Goryu Toomi is mainly beginner and intermediate consisting of long linked wide trails and gentle flat areas. Hakuba 47 has steep mogul covered runs, long fast groomed trails and a first class terrain park, halfpipe and boardercross course. Because of their northwesterly facing direction, the two resorts receive an abudant amount of powder snow.Night skiing is offered at Goryu until 10pm. |
Hakuba Goryu & Hakuba 47
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Hakuba Iwatake This resort offers plenty of wide open runs for beginners and some steep drops for the more experienced. Popular among snowboarders due to the terrain park and 2 half pipes. The mountain provides long runs, moguls, steep drops and some long wide open runs for begginners. |
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Tsugaike Situated in a National Park, Tsugaike offers a combination of groomed and off piste skiing. The mountain is particularly suited to begginners and intermediates, with long, uninterrupted trails. A large variety of facilities such as restaurants, bars and shopping found in Tsugaike town are easily accessible from the mountain. |
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Sun Alpina & Sanoska Located in the Southern most part of Hakuba’s ski area, Sun Alpina and Sanoska provide some of the best scenery in the valley. Incorporating 2 ski areas overlooking a lake at the base of the mountains make these areas unique. |
Activities
Hakuba offers a variety of activities for
everyone. Guided ski/snowboard, cross
country and snowshoe tours in the Alps
or try out snow tubing, tobogganing,
snow rafting and spring heli-skiing that is
available at various resorts in the valley.
For those wanting to have a break from
the Alps, Hakuba, by Japanese
standards, has some of the best apres ski entertainment.
The town has a wide
choice of Japanese and western
restaurants, bars and several nightclubs
that cater to just about all tastes.
Onsens
Onsens are very popular in Japan and Kakuba is no exception, they
are natural thermal springs. This steaming hot natural water is tapped and channelled into large indoor and outdoor bathing pools. Some of these springs have a large mineral and sulphur content, which is believed to be very therapeutic. Within Hakuba village there are a variety of Onsens located close by to all accommodation.
Resort Transport
The nightly village shuttle operates from mid afternoon to 11pm through the Hakuba village providing access to restaurants, bars, supermarkets and shopping areas. A complimentary shuttle service operates from various hotels and bus stops in Hakuba. Shuttles run to/from Hakuba 47, Hakuba Goryu and Iwatake. There is also a public bus service that operates along the valley, providing access to all of the ski resorts. A return trip costs 500 yen.
Getting There
Closest Int’l & Dom Airport: Narita Airport 1hr on the Narita Express to Tokyo, runs frequently throughout the day.
From Tokyo board the Nagano bullet train (Asama Shinkansen) that departs regularly throughout the day (1 ½ hours), from Nagano station Alpico express buses run direct to Hakuba (1hr 10min).
(Note: 7 day rail pass must be purchased to utilize the train system).
Lift Tickets
The Hakuba Valley Ski Pass allows you to choose which mountains you like to ski, there is one for every day!
