Hakuba Valley, a coalition of 10 ski resorts, offers a diverse range of attractions, from the Olympic stage to gentle slopes where you can ski with your dog, and breathtaking views accessed by the latest gondolas. Because of this, there are as many ways to explore the area as there are people. With the "Hakuba Valley All-Mountain Season Pass," which allows you to seamlessly enjoy all 10 ski resorts nestled at the foot of the Northern Alps, you can find your own perfect choice.
This comprehensive guide to this vast area will be presented in two parts.
A plan to conquer 10 carefully selected ski resort courses <Part 1>
We've picked out courses from 10 ski resorts that will make you a true Hakuba Valley expert. We'll introduce a selection of the resort's signature courses, beloved by repeat visitors, and other hidden gems known only to those in the know
In this first part, we will feature five ski resorts: Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort, Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort, Tsugaike Mountain Resort, Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field, and Hakuba Happo-one Ski Resort
Experience the scale of Hakuba Valley through numbers
10resorts
with a total of approximately120
The Hakuba Valley boasts approximately 120 courses across its 10 ski resorts. The ability to ski all of them with a single lift pass offers a scale advantage that rivals resorts both domestically and internationally
Top-class steep slope with
a maximum gradient of 42°
The "Hiedayama Course II" boasts one of the steepest slopes among both groomed and ungroomed courses in Japan. The combination of rugged terrain and high-quality powder makes it a challenging course that attracts skiers from both Japan and abroad
Overwhelmingly wide
course area, 1,200m
The "Bell-Ringing Hill Slope" boasts an overwhelmingly wide course. This vast, open slope, where beginners and families can practice without worrying about collisions, is unique not only in Hakuba Valley but also in all of Japan
The Olympics were also held
at an altitude differenceof 1,071m
There are very few ski resorts in Japan with courses that have an elevation difference of over 1,000m. The "Riesengrat - Kurobishi - Skyline - Sakihana" course at Happo-one, which was the venue for the downhill competition at the Nagano Olympics, offers a dynamic experience of dramatic drops
Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort | A powder paradise in the area, attracting attention from both domestic and international visitors
Located at the northernmost tip of the area, the steep slopes surrounded by two ridges make this a dream tree-run area for powder enthusiasts worldwide. At the same time, the terrain, with all courses converging at the base, eliminates worries about getting lost, making it ideal for families. The "Hotel Green Plaza Hakuba," situated at the base, offers direct access to the slopes and even has a hot spring bath. It's a place where advanced skiers and families alike can gather and enjoy themselves
Hiedayama Course 2
DATA: Average slope 26° | Skiing distance 625m
If you want to fully experience Cortina's powder, this is the place to start. The steep slopes and ungroomed courses face north, so the snow quality is excellent. In the morning, you can enjoy a refreshing powder run, and as time goes on, you can enjoy the challenge of tackling the bumpy, difficult slopes
Itadaira Course
DATA: Average slope 26° | Skiing distance 600m
This course, with its nearly constant slope and continuous run from the summit of Itadaira Mountain, is ideal for intermediate skiers. The skiing experience after grooming is exceptional. It's a scenic course for connoisseurs, offering breathtaking views as you ski down over the iconic red-roofed hotel of the ski resort
Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort | "THE ALPS HOTEL HAKUBA" to be reborn as a base for the 2026-2027 season
100% natural snow. Divided north and south by three ridges, the area boasts a variety of slopes, including a steep 38° run and a mogul course. Convenience has been greatly improved with a newly renovated restaurant and direct access to the parking lot. This resort incorporates ideas that will appeal to a wide range of people, such as access to backcountry areas and dog-friendly slopes
Highway course
DATA: Average slope 25° | Skiing distance 800m
From the mountaintop, reached by disembarking from the Alps No. 3 pair lift, you can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the various ski resorts in Hakuba Valley. One lift allows you to ski on five different courses, and the Highway Course is particularly appealing for its open and expansive views of the surrounding scenery
Rabbit Course
DATA: Average slope 18° | Skiing distance 1,150m
A wide slope that descends directly in front of the hotel. The entire course can be seen from the lift, making it a popular spot for lessons. The powder area along the lift from the end of the lift is a favorite among repeat visitors and attracts a lot of attention
Tsugaike Mountain Resort | An overwhelming amount of snow that continues until Golden Week - Satisfying for both beginners and powder lovers alike
Take the 4,120m-long gondola up to an altitude of 1,704m. With the 3,000m-class Northern Alps as a backdrop, you can enjoy skiing up to 5km. The area boasts a vast scale and abundant snowfall, with many slopes of varying degrees, offering plenty of challenging runs to satisfy all skill levels. Thanks to the amount of snow available until Golden Week in May and the latest snowmaking machines, the season is also long
Hannoki Course
DATA: Average slope 12° | Skiing distance 3,000m
This long course, approximately 4km long, stretches from the gondola's summit station to the middle station. You can enjoy a variety of slopes, from steep to gentle. There's also opportunities for terrain play along the course. The panoramic views of Otari and Hakuba village are also magnificent. Furthermore, the Han-no-ki No. 3 lift will be refurbished to accommodate six people starting next season
DBD Tree Run Area
This is a top-class area that takes full advantage of the snow depth. The natural trees and terrain remain untouched. You can enjoy the finest powder in this ungroomed area. Pre-skiing instruction is mandatory. Avalanche control ensures a safe and enjoyable experience
Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field | Even beginners can reach the summit with breathtaking views. A new gondola invites you to a prime spot at the top
An isolated peak offering a direct view of the Hakuba Three Peaks. The new 10-person gondola, fully glass-enclosed and operational from 2025, provides an aerial ride with unobstructed views. From the summit terrace at an altitude of 1,289m, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Northern Alps. The summit boasts a vast, gentle slope, allowing even beginners to enjoy spectacular skiing. With slopes facing east, west, north, and south, everyone is sure to be thoroughly satisfied
Sunny Valley Course
DATA: Average slope 11° | Skiing distance 3,300m
Enjoy a spectacular long cruise stretching approximately 3km from the mountaintop to the base. The exhilarating feeling of skiing down the wide slopes and the unique experience of utilizing the natural terrain in the latter half of the course are exceptional. The new gondola also allows you to comfortably and quickly reach the mountaintop
ViewA Course
DATA: Average slope 14° | Skiing distance 785m
Located in the "VIEW Area" on the back side of the ski resort, this ungroomed zone makes full use of the natural terrain, including undulations and walls. Here, you can enjoy superb powder snow as if you're soaring into the breathtaking scenery of the Northern Alps
Hakuba Happo-one Ski Resort | Passing on the Olympic Legacy to the Next Generation: New Gondola Scheduled to Open in December 2027
The venue for the Nagano Olympics. With an elevation difference of 1,071m and a maximum run of 8km, it boasts one of the largest scales in Japan. It has everything a skier or skier could want: high-quality snow, varied terrain, and rare mountain scenery. In 2027, a new 10-person gondola that will significantly improve transportation efficiency is scheduled to open. Happo-one will be reborn in a new form
Riesenslalom Course
DATA: Average slope 20° | Skiing distance 3,045m
The course accessible from the gondola's summit station has a maximum slope of 30° and offers varied terrain, but its wide width makes it comfortable even for intermediate skiers. It's best to ski there first thing in the morning when the slopes are well-maintained, rather than in the afternoon when they tend to get rougher
Kurobishi Ski Slope
DATA: Average slope 27° | Skiing distance 630m
Along with Usagidaira, this is a famous mogul slope. The steep slope along the lift attracts the attention of people riding the lift, wondering how they will ski it. On days when there is enough snowfall to bury the moguls, it is extremely popular with powder enthusiasts, along with the parallel Urakuro
The 2026-2027 Hakuba Valley all-mountain season pass will go on sale from Tuesday, July 14th
This season, we're introducing a new youth price for ages 13-18. We also have special offers for a limited time and limited to residents of Japan, including repeat customer discounts and early bird discounts. Don't miss out on our season pass, which offers a variety of benefits beyond just skiing!
| Ticket type | Adults (19 years and older) | Youth (13-18 years old) | Children (ages 6-12) | Sales period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limited to residents of Japan - Repeat customer discount | ￥110,000 | ￥88,000 | ￥58,200 | July 14th (Tue) - August 6th (Thu) |
| Early bird discount for residents of Japan only | ￥121,700 | ￥97,360 | ￥64,200 | July 14th (Tue) - August 27th (Thu) |
| Early Bird | ￥158,900 | ￥158,900 | ￥83,600 | July 14th (Tue) - October 29th (Thu) |
| usually | ￥188,900 | ￥188,900 | ￥99,600 | 10/30 (Friday) - 2/2 (Tuesday) |
Information
Hakuba Valley
Official website:https://www.hakubavalley.com/
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