Hakuba Valley

Goryu delivers the most beginner-friendly terrain with ridiculously wide groomed runs that give you room to think and practice technique. Tsugaike is another strong choice with 50% beginner slopes that don't suck, plus a gentle 5km cruise back down. Kashimayari offers a budget-conscious alternative with gentle learning terrain, affordable gondola access, and space to learn without aggressive crowds.

Cortina consistently delivers the deepest powder in the valley with forgiving tree skiing - it can be dumping there while Goryu is windblown. Sanosaka is the valley's best-kept secret with consistently untracked powder runs and eerily quiet midweeks. Mid-January through mid-February is when both resorts get absolutely dumped on.

Direct buses from Tokyo take 4-5 hours and cost about ¥7,000, or take the shinkansen to Nagano then local transport for a faster but pricier option. The bus is the best value for most visitors and drops you right in Hakuba Village with access to the free shuttle system.

Yes - the Hakuba Valley Pass covers all 10 resorts with unlimited lift access plus the free shuttle system connecting everything. Essential for anyone staying 3+ days who wants to explore the valley's variety. Buy it online before arrival to skip ticket office lines and activate it at any resort's automated gates.

Hakuba Village offers the most convenience with restaurants, nightlife, and shuttle access to all 10 resorts from your doorstep - best for first-timers wanting options. Tsugaike area delivers genuine ski-in/ski-out lodge experiences with onsen access at half the price of Hakuba Village. Cortina and Norikura work if powder is your priority and you don't need nightlife or international dining variety.

Plan 5-7 days to properly explore the valley's variety - you've got 10 distinct resorts to sample. The Hakuba Valley Pass value kicks in at day 3, and you'll want time to hit Cortina for powder, session 47's terrain park, and discover the smaller mountains like Sanosaka and Jigatake when the main resorts get busy on weekends. A 1-2 day trip doesn't do the valley justice.

Skip New Year week and any long Japanese holidays when the main mountains get slammed - hit the smaller resorts like Sanosaka, Kashimayari, and Jigatake on weekends for empty slopes while everyone queues for Happo-One's gondola. Mid-January through mid-February and late March offer manageable crowds with legendary powder or spring sunshine respectively.

Mid-January through mid-February delivers the valley's legendary powder with manageable crowds, especially if you avoid Japanese holidays - Cortina and the northern resorts get absolutely dumped on during this window. Late March offers the sweet spot of good snow, spring sunshine, and noticeably fewer people as the season winds down.

Moderate English support - major resorts have English speakers and Hakuba Village has decent international infrastructure, but village life and smaller resorts operate mostly in Japanese. English signage exists at major resorts but staff communication is hit-or-miss - download a translation app and learn basic ski terms in Japanese before you go.

Ten distinct mountains on one pass system with free shuttles connecting everything - you can literally ski a different resort every day for 10 days without repeating terrain. This is where you come when Niseko feels too crowded and expensive, but you still want legitimate powder and variety that'll keep you busy for a week.