Beyond their competitive careers: Two people who grew up in Hakuba and competed on the world stage discuss the future of "Hakuba Valley."

The 10 ski resorts in the "Hakuba Valley" complex attracted 1.925 million visitors during the 2025-2026 season, the highest number in the past 10 seasons. "Hakuba Valley," which continues to evolve as an international mountain resort attracting skiers and snowboarders from all over the world and is riding a wave of momentum, hosted a talk event in Tokyo for the second consecutive year

Our guests this time are professional skier Kokone Kondo and professional snowboarder Keiji Okamoto , both of whom are based in Hakuba Valley . When asked to describe Hakuba in one word, Okamoto said "diversity," while Kondo said "beauty." These two, who have competed on the world stage, talked about its appeal.

Professional skier Kokone Kondo

For Kondo, who just announced her retirement from competitive skiing in June, this event is her first official event since her retirement. Born and raised in Hakuba, she used the "Hakuba Valley All-Mountain Season Pass" to ski and eventually made it to the Olympic stage

My father, originally from Iwate Prefecture, and my mother, originally from Tokyo, moved to Hakuba because of their shared love of skiing. My first time skiing was at the Iimori slope at Able Hakuba Goryu. Far from crying or complaining, I even managed to fall asleep standing up with my skis on!

"I have a personality that makes me want to do my best no matter what environment I'm in, so if I had been born in Tokyo, I might have become a career woman in the city."

Kondo says that having skied on snow-covered mountains all over the world, he now considers Hakuba Valley to be a special place for him

"Of course, there are many attractive ski resorts all over the world, but Hakuba is the place I want to come back to."

Because it's the place where he was born and raised, he says that he didn't really feel it was a "tourist destination" before. However, when a friend he met at a driver's license training camp came to visit Hakuba in winter despite having just gotten his license, he realized anew just how attractive the place is. On that occasion, he took him to Able Hakuba Goryu, which is also his home ski resort

When asked about his most memorable place in Hakuba Valley, he mentioned the Hakuba Ohashi Bridge, which he passed every morning for training. He recalls that he was able to continue his early morning round-trip sprints because "I loved the view from the bridge."

When asked about his favorite ski resort, he mentioned "47PARKS" at Hakuba47, which is his starting point and home. The exit for LINE C and the entrance to Route 3 are excellent photo spots

On the other hand, during his competitive career, he spent his summers training and his winters on overseas expeditions, so he didn't have the luxury of enjoying Hakuba as a place to live. As for the reason he decided to end his 12-year competitive career,

"I wanted to end my time skiing while I still loved it, so that I wouldn't come to dislike it. It's a positive decision. Before, after skiing, I would just be tired and go to sleep, but from now on, I want to go to cafes and hot springs, meet and talk to different people, and get to know Hakuba better."

She says that, but surprisingly, she's an indoor type, and on her precious days off, she often relaxes at cafes or at home

Currently, while supporting her younger sister, she is also utilizing her experience as an instructor during her injury rehabilitation period to take on a new project focused on developing the next generation of talent

"To improve even more, I want to learn greedily through teaching. In the future, I want to build a house in Hakuba with big windows and a balcony."

Having seen the world as a competitor, Kondo seems to already have a clear vision of the scenery he wants to see at Hakuba Valley as he begins a new chapter in his life

Professional snowboarder Keiji Okamoto

Keiji Okamoto has spent approximately 20 seasons based in Kobe during the summer and Hakuba Valley during the winter. He competed in two consecutive Winter Paralympics, in Beijing and Milan Cortina. Now that his athletic career has come to a close, he says, "As a rider, I want to do things more freely from now on. Up until now I've been constantly competing, so I'm really excited about being able to stay in Hakuba all the time from now on, and I can't stop thinking about what I'll do for fun." He hints at his anticipation for the new season

Okamoto, who discovered snowboarding at the age of 19, decided to dedicate himself to it seriously during his job search and went to study abroad in New Zealand. There, he met a friend, and now his closest friend and fellow rider, Manabu Koike, who told him about "the best park in Japan," and he decided to go to Hakuba. The entrance is "47 PARKS" at Hakuba47

My first impression of Hakuba Village was that it was a "cool countryside." I also described it as a "different world," and said it has a welcoming atmosphere that accepts everyone

"I don't think I would have become a professional if it weren't for Hakuba. I was trained by the local riders in Hakuba who gave me strict but precise advice. I think honing my freeriding skills, which I didn't like at the time, led me to where I am today."

For Okamoto, who reflects on the past, the charm of Hakuba Valley is simply inexhaustible. One of its greatest strengths is the diversity of its people and mountains

"It's great to be able to choose the best option for the day from so many choices. I have my favorite ski resorts individually, but the overall strength of the area is overwhelming. Once you experience the goodness of Hakuba Valley, you can't imagine going anywhere else."

Regarding "47PARKS," his main area of ​​activity, he spoke about his future prospects from the perspective of supporting park culture

"No matter the weather or snow conditions, the quality is consistently high, making it an indispensable place for me. Famous resorts around the world, like Mammoth Mountain and LAAX, always have great parks. I want to lead the industry as a representative park of Japan, a place where people can enjoy themselves even when there isn't enough snow."

He says, "I can do anything there—moguls, carving, terrain, park riding, you name it. When I'm unsure what to do, I go to my home track, Goryu 47," but adds that other areas also have their own unique charms

"Every time I go, I get excited about the tree run area at Tsugaike. Personally, I think it's the most fun. For more experienced riders, there's Hakuba Norikura, and for carving, there's Alpsdaira at Goryu. Iwatake has fun terrain and interesting creative approaches. And I can confidently say that Tsugaike and 47 are the best freestyle parks in Japan. There are also freeride parks like GORYU WAVES at Goryu and NATURES at Happo, so the fact that you can choose from any park you want when you come to Hakuba is a unique charm that other areas don't have."

Regarding Happo-one, "It has a prestigious image, and is considered a stepping stone for skiers, with the idea that 'if you can ski at Happo,' then you're ready to go. Because of its steep slopes, it's difficult to slow down, so it's recommended not only during the peak season but also in spring."

For beginners, Hakuba Sanosaka and Kashimayari, which have many gentle slopes, are recommended. As for backcountry skiing, in addition to easy access, the mountain culture deeply rooted in the region is also appealing

"The fact that it's accessible by lift means the hike isn't too long, making it easy to get to. There are wonderful local guides who teach you the rules for safety, and they have a strong awareness of maintaining the environment. I hope you'll learn the knowledge and rules properly and enjoy the amazing scenery and slopes that only Hakuba can offer."

They spare no effort to experience unforgettable moments. After snowfall, the motto is "8-gon" (8 o'clock gondola), and taking the first gondola of the morning is an absolute rule

"I love the atmosphere first thing in the morning. For example, if a day pass costs 8,000 yen, I think the first ride alone is worth 6,000 yen."

Hakuba Valley changes its appearance depending on the time of day. Of all the seasons, he likes spring the best, as the atmosphere gradually becomes more relaxed. Kondo feels the same way, and he says he first successfully performed all of his signature tricks while skiing in the spring. While some ski resorts allow skiing even after Golden Week, others end their snow season in about five months, allowing people to enjoy other activities unique to that season. Many participants nodded in agreement with the opinion that this balance is just right

In addition to a wide variety of on-piste and off-piste options, Hakuba allows you to play in the snow right in front of your house. Being able to naturally enjoy snow and sports as part of your daily life is one of the charms of "Hakuba Valley."

Furthermore, the lack of the stifling atmosphere typical of rural areas, along with the diverse and open community where people come and go with the seasons, is also a major attraction

"No matter where I go, I have friends. I often gather information at izakayas (Japanese pubs) and use my local network to decide where to go the next day."

They also taught me a strategic way to enjoy skiing: predicting people's movements based on weather, snowfall, and the time of year to find less crowded ski resorts

With 119 courses, the possibilities for enjoyment are endless, depending on the season, time of day, snow conditions, and the skier's skill level

"As you improve, you'll start to see completely different lines on the same course. The more you ski, the more approaches you'll be able to take. Hakuba is a place that helps you grow so much that you can feel that improvement every year."

Even regulars who make full use of their volleyball tickets will never "run out of things to do" at Hakuba Valley. The more you skate, the more new discoveries you'll make. Perhaps that very depth is what makes Hakuba Valley so appealing

Q&A by Hakuba Valley fans

This event, which could be described as a Hakuba Valley fan meeting, featured heartfelt messages that spontaneously elicited applause from the participants, as well as profound questions that made the guests think deeply

--Could you tell us about how you spend your days off and any places you recommend?

Okamoto: "My top recommendation is the chicken burger at Sounds Like Cafe. The water in Hakuba is delicious, so the coffee is also delicious, and it helps me get work done. The staff are also very kind, and it's a comfortable place to be. For a cost-effective set meal restaurant, I recommend Raimuraito, where you can also read manga. For Japanese food, I recommend Soba Sakaba Zen. For hot springs, I recommend either Cortina Onsen or Kurashita no Yu."

Kondo: "I like Italian food, so I often go to Garlic. My favorite cafe is Sounds Like Cafe, just like Okamoto's. As for hot springs, I like Hakuba Happo Onsen Mimizuku no Yu and Hakuba Himekawa Onsen Tenjin no Yu."

--What are the advantages compared to overseas resorts?

Okamoto: "The lift tickets are inexpensive for a resort on the scale of an overseas resort, and the snow is great. It has the atmosphere of a high-end ski resort, but it also retains the best of Japan. By 'good,' I mean facilities and town planning that feel like they're made 'for Japanese people,' not just for overseas tourists. I like new overseas-style shops because they reflect global trends, but even as development progresses, I hope they'll preserve the culture and make it a place that's easy for Japanese people to frequent."

Kondo: "It goes without saying that 'JAPOW' is something to be proud of worldwide, but I think the fact that top athletes from all over the world naturally gather there speaks volumes about its appeal."

--What are your feelings going into the first and last days of the season?

Okamoto: "On the first day, I'm desperately trying to contain my excitement. I try not to get injured, so I take it easy. I take a week to slowly get used to it. On the last day, I go around saying my thanks to the office staff, restaurant staff, lift operators, and so on. So I decide in advance that this will be my last day."

Kondo: "On the first day, I'm filled with a sense of relief that the off-season training is finally over. For the last day, I want to just enjoy the spring weather, but I also try to finish it off by challenging myself with new techniques. In my case, I don't specifically decide that this day is the last; more often than not, the season ends while I'm having fun."

Having put an end to their competitive careers, both of them are now starting a new season

With his natural enthusiasm for entertaining, Okamoto filled the venue with laughter from his entrance to his entertaining talk during the break, while Kondo emphasized the importance of having fun. Towards the end of the event, there was a moment when Okamoto promised to show Kondo, who had never skied before, around the Cortina area

Finally, when asked "What kind of place do you want Hakuba Valley to become?", Okamoto replied:

"Overseas resorts tend to be similar no matter where you go, with similar snow quality, snowfall, and food, so after two weeks, it can get a little boring. In contrast, Hakuba Valley has a truly rich variety of slopes and courses. There are places in Japan where you can go to nearby ski resorts based in cities, but this environment, where you can live at the foot of the mountain and choose your destination depending on your mood, and where the latest information and culture from overseas gather, is truly precious and unique to Hakuba. As the number of people increases, challenges such as congestion and safety will arise, but there are many people who are trying to maintain the unique character of Hakuba while finding a good balance between development and nature, so I would like to contribute to that effort. So, rather than just having fun irresponsibly, I want to work with the ski resorts, the local community, fellow riders, and POW to expand actions to protect the environment and culture, while respecting the rules that our predecessors have built. In particular, I want more people in Japan to know the new charms of Hakuba Valley, and I hope that those who visit in the future will find their own way of enjoying this one-of-a-kind place and their own style of fun."

In response to those words, Kondo also shared his thoughts for the future, saying, "I love Hakuba Valley. I don't want to take this nature for granted, and in order to protect it, I want to start by learning about it. I want to deliver scenery and emotions that enrich people's hearts."

The two's new challenge is likely to further enliven "Hakuba Valley."

▼The second part of the event can be seen in the archived stream

The earlier you sign up, the better the deal! A new youth discount is available this season

The " Hakuba Valley All-Mountain Season Pass " allows you to freely visit 10 unique ski resorts with a single lift ticket .

With the desire to allow more people to enjoy Hakuba, a new "youth price (ages 13-18)" has been introduced for the 2026-2027 season

The early bird discount for residents of Japan (until August 27th (Thursday)) is ¥67,200 cheaper than the regular price and ¥37,200 cheaper than the early bird price. Furthermore, a repeat customer discount (until August 6th (Thursday)) is available for residents of Japan who have been purchasing tickets since the 25-26 season, with a maximum discount of ¥78,900

Every year, we receive many inquiries from people who missed out on purchasing because they hesitated for too long, thinking, "I'll think about it a little longer." Don't put it off like summer homework; don't miss this best opportunity!

Photo by @kentarosnow

Information

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