A Guide to Skiing/Boarding in Hakuba
Host to the 1998 Winter Olympic Games, Hakuba is one of Japan’s largest and most renowned ski areas. Hakuba is the perfect destination for skiers and boarders of all abilities with 10 ski resorts to choose from, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Best Powder Spots?
It is no secret, Cortina offers the best off-piste, backcountry and powder tree runs in Hakuba. It receives the highest snowfall, sometimes even twice as much as neighbouring resorts!
If you enjoy tree skiing then Hakuba 47 on a pow day is epic! You can also sign up to their “Double Black Diamond Club” and you will have access to impressive off-piste and backcountry for free.
Best Family skiing?
Iwatake offers terrain for every ability and breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views of the Hakuba valley. It also has a small terrain park suited to beginners or intermediates.
Hot tip: If you love Ramen, then be sure to have lunch at the base of the mountain at the secret wooden shack. It is 100% worth the wait!
Tsugaike Kogen is another great family-friendly resort with gentle, wide slopes and the Snow WOW activity area. Snow Wow is the first winter adventure park in Japan, offering 10 family fun activities including snow tubing, paragliding towing, a ropes course and more
The main street of Tsugaike Kogen has some great restaurants, Sobadokoro Furusato is a local favourite.
Biggest resort?
Happo One is the largest resort in Hakuba and has the longest vertical of over 1000m. Offering a mix of wide-open groomers to moguls to steep and deep and even backcountry at the top of the mountain. Spend a day or a couple of days, there is plenty of fun to be had here. Happo-One held the 1998 Winter Olympics for the slalom and downhill races.
Best Terrain Park?
Hakuba 47 boasts the best park in Hakuba and one of the best in Japan, suitable for beginners to park experts. The park has a half-pipe, a series of 10 kickers ranging from small to 20 meters and jib rails, boxes & berms.
With travel in Australia put on hold for now, there is the possibility that Japan may be one of the first overseas ski resorts to open for 2021. Enquire with Travelplan on Early Bird offers up to 15% with a Peace of Mind booking guarantee, or start planning now for 21/22 season.