Hakuba Valley
10 Resorts, One Valley
Ski Area Guide
About Hakuba Valley
Hakuba Valley is Japan's most expansive ski playground - 10 interconnected resorts scattered across a dramatic alpine valley where Olympic-grade steeps meet family-friendly cruisers, all linked by free shuttles and one killer pass. 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.
“Refreshingly Japanese with pockets of international flavor - Tokyo families dominating weekends, serious powder hunters who've graduated from Niseko, and a surprising number of locals who still remember when this was their secret. The valley stays authentically mountain-focused rather than resort-polished, with each base area maintaining its own personality from party central Hakuba Village to sleepy Cortina.”
What Sets It Apart
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.
Best For
- ✓Intermediate-to-advanced skiers who want variety without the Niseko price tag - you can progress from Goryu's wide groomers to Cortina's steep trees all on the same pass
- ✓Families planning 4+ day trips who want options when kids get bored - bounce between 47's terrain park, Iwatake's scenic cruisers, and Tsugaike's beginner paradise
- ✓Powder hunters who've done the Niseko thing and want to remember why they fell in love with skiing - less Instagram, more face shots
- ✓Groups with mixed abilities where everyone wants to stay happy - beginners can lap Kashimayari while experts session Happo-One's Olympic steeps
Skip If
- ✗You need English support everywhere - outside Hakuba Village and the main resorts, you're operating in Japanese
- ✗You're planning a 1-2 day ski trip - the all-mountain pass value doesn't kick in until day 3
- ✗You want buzzing European-style apres-ski and nightlife - this valley rolls up early and focuses on morning powder over evening parties
- ✗You're a pure beginner who gets overwhelmed by choices - 10 resorts sounds exciting until you're paralyzed trying to pick one
Beyond the Slopes
The Local Experience
Where to Eat
Hakuba Village delivers proper international variety with decent ramen, pizza, and even Mexican, while the outer resort areas stick to traditional Japanese fare and mountain lodge classics - don't expect Michelin stars but you won't go hungry
Onsen Culture
Multiple hot springs scattered throughout the valley including ski-to-onsen setups at Cortina and Norikura - after a powder day, there's nothing better than soaking with views of the peaks you just skied
Most onsens in Hakuba Valley require removing shoes at the entrance, washing thoroughly before entering the bath, and keeping towels out of the water. Tattoos may be an issue at some traditional establishments.
After Dark
Hakuba Village has legitimate bars and late-night spots that actually stay open past 9pm, but everywhere else shuts down early - this is mountain culture, not resort partying
Hakuba Valley offers everything from cozy izakayas to international bars. Most spots stay open until late, making it easy to swap powder stories over local sake or imported craft beers.
Which Resort
Is For You?
The valley splits into distinct personalities: Happo-One/47/Goryu form the interconnected central cluster with variety and convenience, while Cortina/Norikura deliver the deepest powder up north, and the smaller mountains (Kashimayari, Sanosaka, Jigatake) offer empty slopes and budget-friendly vibes. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize terrain variety, powder quality, or crowd avoidance.
For a 5-day trip, base in Hakuba Village for convenience and spend your first day getting oriented at Happo-One, then progression-session at 47 before hitting Cortina for the deepest powder - save the smaller mountains like Sanosaka and Jigatake for weekend crowd-dodging.
Where To Stay
Hakuba Village offers the most convenience and nightlife with everything from hostels to luxury lodges, while the outer areas like Tsugaike and Cortina provide authentic mountain lodge experiences with onsen access. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize valley-wide accessibility or specific resort proximity.
Accommodation Zones
Budget Smart
Tsugaike area offers genuine ski-in/ski-out lodge experiences with onsen access at half the price of Hakuba Village, plus you're perfectly positioned for the valley's best uncrowded skiing
Go Big
Hakuba Village delivers the full-service experience with high-end lodges that provide English support, restaurant variety, and shuttle access to all 10 resorts from your doorstep
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
All-Mountain Pass
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
Single Resort Tickets
Makes sense for 1-2 day trips focused on one mountain, or if you're staying right at the base of Cortina or Tsugaike and don't plan to resort-hop
Buy your pass online before arrival to skip ticket office lines. Most passes can be activated at automated gates using a QR code.
Individual Resorts
Ski Resorts in Hakuba Valley
Hakuba 47
Hakuba 47 is the park rat's paradise in Japan - home to one of the country's most dialed terrain parks with a proper 16m-wide halfpipe and progression lines that'll have you throwing tricks by lunch. While everyone else queues for Happo-One, you'll be lapping perfect jumps and discovering why the locals call this the soul of Hakuba Valley.
Hakuba Cortina
Cortina is where Hakuba goes full Alps fantasy - a European-style resort at the northernmost tip of the valley that gets dumped on harder than anywhere else. While everyone queues for Happo-One's gondola, you'll be floating through chest-deep tree runs wondering why more people haven't figured this out yet.
Hakuba Goryu
Goryu is Hakuba's wide-open practice playground where you'll actually improve your skiing instead of just surviving it. While everyone else fights for powder at Happo-One, you'll be carving perfect turns on ridiculously spacious groomed runs with breathing room to think.
Hakuba Happo-One
Happo-One is where you go when you want Hakuba's best terrain without compromising on après-ski options. This is the main event resort - 21 lifts, Olympic-grade steeps at the peak, and when the weather clears, views that'll make you forget why you were complaining about the lift lines.
Hakuba Iwatake
Iwatake has something that bigger Hakuba resorts traded away years ago: genuine terrain park credibility and lift lines that don't make you question your life choices. The gondola delivers you to 1,289m with 360-degree alpine views that rival anything in the valley, and the freestyle features draw session-hungry riders while families carve wide cruisers below.
Hakuba Norikura
Hakuba Norikura is where powder hunters go when they've had enough of lift lines and Instagram selfies - this is the sleeper hit of the Hakuba Valley that locals would prefer you didn't know about. While everyone else queues for gondolas at the big-name resorts, you're getting face shots in beech forests with ski-to-onsen convenience that'll make you question why you ever bothered with crowded alternatives.
Hakuba Sanosaka
Sanosaka is the Hakuba Valley's best-kept secret - a local's mountain where you'll ski untracked powder runs while everyone else queues for the Happo One gondola. This is what skiing in Japan felt like before Instagram discovered it.
Jigatake
Jigatake is where Nagano locals go to remember why they fell in love with skiing - 12 meters of annual powder, zero lift lines, and slopes that feel like your private playground. While everyone else fights crowds at Hakuba, you'll be carving perfect turns on 2.5km runs with nothing but mountain silence and some of the deepest snow in the Japan Alps.
Kashimayari
Instagram forgot this place exists, and that's exactly the point. Kashimayari delivers empty powder runs, bargain-basement lift tickets, and the mountain genuinely feels like your private playground until noon. While everyone else fights for fresh tracks at Happo-One, you'll be carving untouched slopes wondering why this place isn't packed.
Tsugaike Kogen
Tsugaike is where Japanese families go to actually enjoy skiing instead of fighting crowds - think 50% beginner terrain that doesn't suck, genuine steeps up top, and a 5km run that'll make your legs scream in the best way. While everyone's queuing for gondolas in Hakuba proper, you're dropping into untracked powder at 1,700m wondering why you ever thought crowded meant good.
Continue Exploring
Other Regions
Hokkaido
The North Sector
Nagano
The Japanese Alps
Niigata
Snow Country
Tohoku
The Powder Frontier
Akita
Budget Powder Paradise
Aomori
Honshu's Deepest Powder
Fukushima
Hidden Powder Sanctuary
Gunma
Tokyo's Secret Powder Stash
Iwate
Tohoku's Powder Secret
Yamagata
Snow Monsters & Onsen
Yamanashi
Ski With Mt. Fuji