Rider's Choice | Recommended Courses at Hakuba Valley

Hakuba Valley is the collective name for 10 ski resorts spread across the foothills of the Northern Alps in northern Nagano Prefecture. Four top riders consider this premier snow resort their home mountain. There's
Nonoyama Sae, a basic skier who excels in technical competitions; Okamoto Keiji, one of Japan's leading freestyle snowboarders; Kondo Kokone, a talented freeskiier who has been selected for the Olympics; and Kato Sayaka, a snowboarder who primarily competes in freeride.
Each of them has a different style, but they've all thoroughly explored Hakuba Valley. We asked them to share their "favorite courses" that they've carefully selected based on their own unique themes.

Immerse yourself in the scenery: the best spots in Hakuba known only to skiers | Hayato Nonoyama

After getting off the gondola, the first course I head to is the "Grand Prix Course" at Goryu, a favorite that I find myself skiing down again and again. The wide, groomed slope is perfect for practicing for competitions and ski tests. You might find yourself completely absorbed in your skiing, but if you suddenly look up, you'll be treated to the luxurious feeling of being enveloped in the scenery at the foot of the mountain. In spring, more mogul courses are added, making it a place you can enjoy throughout the season

I never get tired of going to Iwatake's "Iwatake Back Bowl." On this hilly course, I can take wide turns as usual to match the slopes, or try to hit the ball in line with the terrain. I feel like I'm improving the most when I'm playing around like this

At Goryu's sunrise skiing hours, when the lifts start operating at 7 AM, be sure to experience the exhilarating feeling of skiing while bathed in the morning sun. It's a blissful moment that only those who ski can truly understand

Powder and park: A Hakuba Valley routine for the ambitious adult | Keiji Okamoto

Hakuba47's "47PARKS" is a must-visit for me because it maintains high quality regardless of the weather or snow conditions. My go-to routine is to enjoy powder and carving on a different course first thing in the morning, then head to the park, which is compactly packed with jumps, jibs, and terrain

On the other hand, the tree run area at Tsugaike is something that excites me every time I go. It's incredibly vast, and memorizing the routes is quite a challenge, but that also means there are new discoveries every time. The feeling of satisfaction when you manage to draw the line you intended or hit a spot with the perfect powder is indescribable

If there's snow, I'll tackle 47, Goryu, and Tsugaike, and then choose the "right" slope for the day based on the conditions and crowd levels. If you can pursue your own personal best, you'll never want to leave the Hakuba Valley rabbit hole

The white horse line that has always excited me, unchanged since childhood | Kondo Kokone

Hakuba47, my home base since elementary school, has "Route 1 to Snow Park" as my starting point and my favorite line. I like to ski down the groomed slopes first thing in the morning and check out the park from the gondola. I also like that the lifts are close and the sounds of people are really audible, creating a lively atmosphere

On the other hand, the steep slope from "Champion Dynamic to Expert" at Goryu is where your skills will be put to the test. In powder conditions, you'll challenge your speed, navigating rough gaps and skiing nonstop. It's a tough and difficult course, but when it's full of hard moguls, it's also fun to take detours or play on the side walls

If you want to become a true Hakuba Valley expert, try heading up to the upper part of the ski resort even on cloudy days. Even if the base is shrouded in fog, the mountaintop is often filled with a breathtaking sea of ​​clouds. Only by encountering such a spectacular view above the clouds can you truly call yourself a Hakuba Valley expert

The overwhelming sense of accomplishment that comes after pushing your legs beyond their limits | Sayaka Kato

Kashimayari's "Ipponbuna" offers a moderate slope and continuous opportunities for terrain play. You can enjoy side hits on both sides of the course while picking up speed and letting the flow carry you. It's also a good target when there's a low-pressure system off the southern coast. It's exciting not only when the powder is superb, but also when the slopes are rough

If you want to push yourself, try the ultra-long run at Happo-one. A single run from the Alpine Lift down to Skyline or Riesen is a tough route where you ski nonstop through rapidly changing snow conditions and slopes. Your legs will be tired, but the overwhelming sense of accomplishment and satisfaction you'll feel is unmatched

The key to fully enjoying Hakuba Valley is to decipher the best conditions for the day by analyzing wind direction and the movement of low pressure systems. Avoiding crowds and choosing ski resorts that suit your friends' skill levels, while hopping between resorts across the vast area from Omachi to Otari, will multiply your enjoyment many times over

2026-27 Hakuba Valley All-Mountain Season Pass now on sale!

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!

Information

Hakuba Valley

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