Hakuba Valley is located in northwestern Nagano Prefecture.
There are 10 ski resorts scattered within an area approximately 25km north-south in a straight line, from Jigatake Ski Resort in Omachi City to the south and Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort in Otari Village to the north. Most of the ski resorts face east, with the Northern Alps behind them.
Some ski resorts have slopes extending north and south, so many courses have good conditions on the north slopes. Most of them are big slopes with a longest run distance of over 5000m. In addition, there is a ski town at the foot of the ski resort with hot springs, lodging facilities, restaurants, ski and snowboard shops, and more, making it a great place to relax after skiing.
This environment is rare not only in Japan, but also in the world, and countless people are attracted to its charm.
As evidence of this, over the years, skaters have come from all over the world, and in the 23-24 season, 1.65 million people visited, including a record 570,000 foreigners. What are the benefits of making Hakuba Valley your home area? Let's explore it from seven perspectives.
24-25 Hakuba Valley All-mountain season ticket types and prices
The 10 ski resorts that make up Hakuba Valley each have large differences in elevation, and the orientation of the slopes varies.
It has a wide variety of courses, including uncompacted snow courses, various parks, and carefully maintained grooming barns, and its comprehensive capabilities are already well known around the world. Please refer to the bottom of this article for a concise summary of the 10 ski resorts.
The 24-25 all-mountain season ticket (hereinafter referred to as the ``valley ticket''), which can be used at all ski resorts in Hakuba Valley, will be on sale again this year. There are 4 types of tickets in total.
| Denomination | adult price | child price | Sales period |
|---|---|---|---|
| super early bird price | 117,500 | 62,000 | 7/16 (Tue) - 8/29 (Thu) |
| early bird price | 145,000 | 76,300 | 8/30 (Friday) - 10/31 (Thursday) |
| regular price | 175,000 | 92,300 | 11/1 (Friday)~ |
| Repeater discount price | 105,800 | 56,000 | 7/16 (Tue) - 8/8 (Thu) |
Similar to regular early season ticket discounts, the earlier you purchase, the cheaper you can get. The list price is 175,000 yen, which will be sold from November 1st. Compared to the super early bird price, the difference is 57,500 yen. If there is a difference of 30,000 yen compared to the early bird discount, it is better to buy as soon as possible. There are many types of common season tickets available depending on the region and ski resort group, but there is surprisingly little time to worry about them.
Purchase from this site.
https://www.hakubavalley.com/
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What are the benefits of the Hakuba Valley all-mountain season ticket?
1.Constantly falling snow and high quality snow
Although the environment has changed, with snow falling differently than it did a few decades ago, and sometimes raining in January, the benefits brought by the Ushiro-Tateyama mountain range behind the ski resort, which can reach an altitude of 3,000 meters, are immeasurable. I don't know.
The cold air that comes from the Sea of Japan over the Northern Alps brings constant snowfall and deposits high-quality snow in this area. What's interesting is that the amount and quality of snow at Mt. Jigadake at the southern tip and Hakuba Cortina at the northern tip changes completely depending on how cold air enters.
2. the season for a long time
The operating period for the 10 ski resorts is from late November in early years until Golden Week, when the ski resorts close.
The timing varies depending on snow conditions. By the way, in the 23-24 season, the earliest ski resorts to open were Tsugaike Mountain Resort, Able Hakuba Goryu and Happo-one on November 30, 2023. The latest ski resorts to close are May 6, 2024 at Able Hakuba Goryu and Tsugaike Mountain Resort. The period of skiing is almost half a year. With a volleyball ticket, you can freely choose from 10 ski resorts and ski for over 5 months.
3.Choose from 10 ski resorts according to conditions, preferences, and moods
If you like powder skiing, you can choose a ski resort based on snowfall conditions and course conditions within a 25km radius from north to south. Even if snowfall conditions are not favorable, there are other options, such as choosing a ski resort with a northern slope that is less affected by sunlight.
For those who want to ski all the slopes, it's fun to ski all the famous courses at each ski resort at different times of the year. You can enjoy the changing feeling of sliding depending on how tight or loose the snow is.
Park enthusiasts can choose from a variety of parks with different features. Even if the park you're looking for is maintenance, there are other options.
In addition, even if the southern part of Hakuba Valley and the lower elevations get snow mixed with rain, you can avoid the rain by going to the northern area or higher elevation areas. Also, lifts and gondolas may be canceled unexpectedly due to wind. Another advantage of volleyball tickets is that they can be flexible to such weather conditions.
4.No need to wait in line at the lift ticket office
The volleyball season ticket is an IC ticket with a photo on it.
The nine ski resorts other than Mt. Jigadake use a common automatic ticket gate system, so there is no need to change tickets for each ski resort you visit. It's a small thing, but the benefits of not missing out on a great opportunity by standing in a long line when you want to ski the freshest course in the morning are huge.
5.Cost performance for people who slide a lot ◎
The average price for a one-day ticket to 10 ski resorts in Hakuba Valley for the 23-24 season is 5,870 yen.
Reflecting the social situation and times, the average price has increased by about 1,400 yen from 4,470 yen in the 22-23 season. It's not hard to imagine that lift tickets for each ski resort will become more expensive, as the price of a shared ticket has also increased.
If you divide the 24-25 season super early bird price of 117,500 yen by the average price of a one-day ticket at the 10 ski resorts, you will be able to recoup your money in about 20 skis.
20 times means two and a half months if you ski at Hakuba Valley all weekends in a month. Assuming that we can ski for just over five months, which is the operating period for the 2023-24 season, the remaining three months will be a rough estimate.
6.You can go skiing without hesitation
The peace of mind of being able to ski at any of the 10 ski resorts anytime, anywhere is surprisingly great.
You can ski to suit your tastes and mood, but even if it starts to rain and it starts to rain, with a volleyball ticket, it's easy to give up, and you can switch to another ski resort or enjoy the town at the foot of the mountain. . You can enjoy skiing at different ski resorts in the morning and afternoon, or you can have lunch at a restaurant at the foot of the mountain. There are a wide variety of ways to enjoy ski resorts, such as spending time relaxing while admiring the scenery instead of skiing hard.
7.various perks
Although it is not well known, there are some benefits that only those who have a volleyball ticket can get.
The most notable feature is that you can ride the shuttle bus that connects the 10 ski resorts for free. In addition, discounts on day-trip hot spring bathing fees and discounts on night ski lift fees are offered every year.
In this way, a volleyball ticket that allows you to ski all 10 ski resorts has more advantages than a season ticket for one ski resort.
The Hakuba Valley ski resort has slopes that will satisfy any skier, including powder, park, freeriding, carving, and cobbing. You can also access the vast backcountry area from the top of the ski resort (*1). Hakuba Valley is a place worth visiting for many seasons.
*1 Hakuba Valley has established Safety Tips for safely enjoying the ski slopes and backcountry throughout the area. Please refer to this site
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10 ski areas in Hakuba Valley. Introduced in order from the south
Jiigatake Ski Resort
Spacious single barn is ideal for beginners and families
A local ski resort on the left hand side on the way to Kashimayari.
There are 4 lifts. The slope has an elevation difference of 260m and an average slope of 13 degrees, making it a moderately gentle slope overall. As a result, the ski resort has an idyllic atmosphere, making it perfect for families with children and first-time skiers and snowboarders. For the 23-24 season, a park centered around the jib was installed in the base area (24-25 season is undecided). https://jiigatake.com/
Kashimayari Ski Resort Family Park
Long skiing distance and beautiful scenery
This ski resort is known for its easy access from the Azumino IC on the Nagano Expressway and for its fun, medium-to-low slopes.
The ski slope overlooks Lake Nakatsuna, Lake Aoki, and Azumino, and is a popular location for skiing with Mt. Kashima Yarigatake in the background. Featuring indoor attractions that children can enjoy even if they can't slide, as well as a long snow slide, it has gained a lot of support from families. On the other hand, there are slopes where you can ski for long stretches over rich natural terrain, and it has gained a certain amount of support from ski enthusiasts. https://www.kashimayari.net/snow/
White Resort Hakuba Sanosaka
Attractive view of skiing towards the lake
A ski resort with many flat and moderate slopes. The location of the grooming barn, which slides towards Lake Aoki, is secretly popular. The unusual feeling of crossing the railroad crossing from the parking lot to get to the ski resort is also fun. It is located in the southernmost part of Hakuba Village, so when it snows, there is often fresh snow left on the sides even if you go in the afternoon.
Able Hakuba Goryu
Three distinctive slopes. Connected with Hakuba 47 at the top
It is characterized by its size and rich variety of slopes, including three main slopes located at the top and bottom, and Hakuba 47, which connects to each other.
The upper Alps Taira slope is 1,680 meters above sea level, and you can ski there for a long time. ``GORYU WAVE,'' a new type of snow park created by Kazushige Fujita and course director Hideyuki Hoshino, where the snow waves overlap, is also popular. Night skiing at the snow park is becoming more and more popular year by year. There are many locals who purchase volleyball tickets and night season tickets as a set. https://www.hakubaescal.com/winter/
https://www.oito.co.jp/iimori/winter/
Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park
A long north-facing slope and the best park in the area
Among the ski resorts in Hakuba Valley, this ski resort has the most northern slopes.
The long top-to-bottom run on the ridge, the steep slopes and tree area in the upper area will pique the curiosity of experienced skiers. The highlight is the Route 4 park, where one course is filled with park items. Big events are held during the season, and athletes from all over the country gather to show off their skills. It's fun just watching the ride from the lift that runs parallel to the course. https://www.hakuba47.co.jp/winter/
Hakuba Happoone Ski Resort
The 1,071m difference in altitude makes it one of the top-class slopes in Japan.
One of the biggest ski slopes in Japan where you can enjoy an altitude difference of over 1000m.
The Riesen Slalom course is filled with compacted snow early in the morning, and the combination of the change in terrain and the great feeling of falling makes it addictive. Omusubi, a large triangular slope with a valley on the right side of the gondola summit station, is a powder zone that opens only when conditions are right. As you go to the top, the scenery with a sense of altitude spreads out, and you can truly enjoy the scenery of Hakuba. https://www.happo-one.jp/winter/
Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field
The course heading towards the Northern Alps offers one of the best views in the area.
Walls, banked terrain, and hidden hit points are dotted all over the ski resort, including along the sides of the course, making it a ski resort where all the freaks ski on the terrain.
Additionally, the view of the Northern Alps that stretches out in front of you from the summit is one of the best in Hakuba Valley. HAKUBA MOUNTAIN HARBOR, located at the top of the mountain, is visited by many non-skiers who enjoy the 360-degree panorama. The new gondola, currently under construction, is scheduled to open in December 2024. https://iwatake-mountain-resort.com/winter
Tsugaike Mountain Resort
powder and park. Boasting cruising that allows you to enjoy long distances
You can enjoy a long grooming run that stretches over 4km from the top of the slope to the base. The slopes have varying degrees of slope and are quite slippery. At the bottom of the ski resort is one of the widest beginner slopes in Japan. Also worth checking out are ``TSUGAIKE POWDER DBD,'' where you can ski off-piste areas, and ``TG PARKS,'' where the layout and location of the park changes depending on the season.
Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort
Popular with locals as a little-known powder spot
The ski resort has a long north-south layout, with an east-facing slope as its axis, and slopes to the north and south of three ridges that extend to the east. Because you can choose the slope depending on the conditions, it is attracting attention from locals who are good at sensing the situation. Each course is neither too long nor too short, so you can ski at a good tempo. It is filled with unique attractions such as 11 pair lifts that allow you to access the backcountry area and courses where you can ride with your pet.
Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort
The reputation of the area's best powder goes beyond the sea
After a snowfall, this is a genuine powder ski slope where groups of people wearing helmets and carrying thick boards line up for the lifts. Most of the area surrounded by two ridges is an area where you can ski at your own risk, and when there is fresh snow, you can hear the cheers of powder freaks enjoying a tree run. On the other hand, the mortar-shaped course layout is popular as it is difficult to get lost and allows families to ski safely. I would like to enjoy staying at a hotel at the foot of the mountain where I can go ski-in and ski-out.
