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Hakuba Ski Holidays

Japan Holidays

Expert Opinion Our Expert
Andrea Selig

“Hakuba was home to some of the Winter Olympic races in 1998, the valley boasts numerous resorts, the main one being Happo-One, but a multi-day Mountain Pass allows you to explore them all, and you’ll have the slopes to yourself most of the week!”

Resort Info

  • Resort Scorecard
  • Beginners: 7/10
  • Intermediates: 8/10
  • Advanced: 7/10
  • Families: 6/10
  • Nightlife: 7/10
  • Village Charm: 6/10
  • Affordability: 8/10
  • Non Ski Activities: 8/10
  • Sustainability: N/A

Season: Dec - Early Apr

Nearest Airport: Tokyo Narita/Haneda

Flight Time: 11½ hours

Transfer Time: 4 hours

Transport: Transfer

Elevation: 1831m

Vertical Drop: 1071m

Ski Area: 500 acres

Ski Lifts: 32

Grade: beginner 30% intermediate 40% advanced 30%

Why Hakuba?

The Hakuba Valley, situated in the heart of the Japanese Alps, is the best and largest ski area on the main Honshu Island. Easy access to over 5 mountains, with 3 ski areas (Happo-One, Goryu and Hakuba47) within a 5 minute drive from main town Hakuba, makes it a great destination for those who like to explore.  However it has just as much to offer beginners and intermediates with some wide, gentle runs at the bottom ends of the mountains. Happo-One was also host to the men’s and women’s Olympic Downhill in 1998.

The Evergreen Outdoor Centre operates from the base of Happo-One and Goryu mountains and offers ski and snowboard lessons with English-speaking instructors.

The food here is varied and wonderful – head to Kikyo-ya for the most amazing sushi in town! Cuisine ranges from Japanese and French to Chinese and Indian, and as well as Japanese bars there are even a few English-style pubs about.

Ski Safaris Combine with other nearby resorts and cities for the full Japan experience.