Happo Ski Resort

Happo is the biggest and the most popular of all the ski resorts in Hakuba. It has all types of terrain from beginners to advanced and the backcountry runs are second to none in Japan. It has a whopping 23 lifts with a vertical difference of over 1,000 mtrs from top to bottom.

Goryu Ski Resort

Goryu and 47 can both be accessed on the one ticket and is a challenger to Happo for the most popular ski resort. Like Happo, Goryu has slopes to suit everyone and it also has probably the steepest run in Hakuba (Champion course). It has a great beginners area as well with lessons in English.

Hakuba 47 Ski Resort

Together with Goryu, 47 makes up the 2nd largest ski area in Hakuba. 47 is very popular with boarders and has the best snowpark/halfpipe in the valley. It has some great steep runs and being North facing, it is open every year till early May. It has some great patrol approved tree runs.

Iwatake Ski Resort

Iwatake is another resort very popular with boarders because of the great park and halfpipe facilities. There are many intermediate slopes, but not many steeps or beginner slopes. It does have some powder runs that are left ungroomed and are great for learning powder on.

Cortina Ski Resort

Cortina is known as the powder capital of Hakuba, both for the huge amounts of snow it gets, and also for the steep and bottomless tree runs . It is a progressive resort with a “go anywhere” policy. There is a great beginners area at the bottom along with many intermediate runs.

Hakuba, Japan Ski & Snowboarding Resorts

There are at least 10 ski resorts in the Hakuba region of Japan, and knowing which one to go to can be a little overwhelming at times. This quick reference guide will help you decide, but for more detailed information we have a whole page devoted to each ski resort as well-just click on the links below. If you get a package through us you will get Hakuba Valley lift passes which enable you to go to as many of these resorts as you like.

Sanosaka Ski Resort

This resort is a great family one, if somewhat small. Most of the runs are fairly short and will suit intermediates.There is a great 4 way kicker at the base of the mogul run for some truly big air, and some lovely views of Lake Aokiko. Many people go to both this resort and Kashimayari on the same day.

Norikura Ski Resort

Norikura is a medium sized resort next to Cortina. It is still big enough to be interesting for most people and it has a great terrain park, including a very popular half pipe. It tends to be spread across the mountain making most of the runs fairly short.

Kashimayari Ski Resort

Kashimayari is a medium size ski resort with a good range of courses and is the first one you will see coming to Hakuba. It is also one of the least crowded resorts as most people tend to bypass it on the way to Hakuba proper. You can do both this resort and Sanosaka on a single Hakuba Valley day pass.

Jigatake Ski Resort

A little far from Hakuba being about 40 mins away by bus but can be blissfully uncrowded during the week so can be a great place to learn how to ride. Great wide beginners slopes to boot. It does have great views looking down from the top as well, so something to keep the whole family happy.

Tsugaike Ski Resort

Tsugaike is another large ski resort popular with families because of the abundance of beginner slopes, although it also has many intermediate slopes as well. It also has some awesome powder tree runs. It's a lovely 20 minutes drive from the Hakuba township on the free ski shuttle bus.