Hakuba Valley is one of Japan’s best-known and most popular winter destinations. Multiple resorts make-up the area collectively referred to as ‘Hakuba Valley’ and all covered by an all-resort ‘Hakuba Valley Ticket’ and ‘EPIC Pass’. While the season of course varies between years depending on the snow conditions, the resorts are typically open from early to mid-December until late-March or into April at which time they offer some of the best skiing and snowboarding in Asia!

Experiencing between 11 to 13 metres of snowfall each year, visitors are spoiled for choice. Hakuba Happo One Snow Resort is the most central and largest of the resorts. Having hosted several events during the 1998 Winter Olympics and subsequent FIS World Cup Events, Happo One’s pedigree is well-known and draws visitors from all over the world. Less than 10-minutes drive from Happo One, the joint resorts of Hakuba Goryu Snow Resort and Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park combine to rival the popularity of Happo One.

To the north of central Hakuba Village, Iwatake Snow Field is known for its stunning alpine vistas, while a little further north, Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort is the only stand-alone resort in the valley to rival the size of Happo One. With its own village and Tsugaike’s size, it’s a great option for many visitors. Finally, the most northern resorts of Norikura Onsen Snow Resort and Cortina Snow Resort are connected and offer some of the valley’s best powder, backcountry and tree-runs.

Also ffering Nagano’s best range of accommodation, restaurants and nightlife, skiing and snowboarding in Hakuba is a bit of a must do in winter. For more information, see our full ‘Hakuba Valley Ski Resorts’ page and start planning your next winter getaway!