Hakuba Valley Ski Safari

Japan is the ultimate destination for powder hunters. It's renowned for its consistently light, deep, and abundant snowfall, which dumps in metres from mid-December to mid-March. But there's far more to explore beyond the waist-deep snow.

As well as carving the best powder turns of your life across Hakuba Valley's ten world-class resorts, you'll have the opportunity to sample some of the quirks of Japan. Snow monkeys, historic towns, ancient temples, bullet train transfers and the many wonders of Tokyo all feature on this unique and exciting ski and culture adventure.

The skiing

Few mountain ranges can rival the dramatic backdrop of the Japanese Alps. Especially when they're blanketed in a thick layer of iconic powder! Hakuba Valley is home to ten superb resorts - all easily accessible from one base and included on the Hakuba Valley lift pass.

Each resort is home to alpine-style terrain and individual quirks you need to ski for yourself. But for the perfect blend of piste and backcountry skiing, Happo-One is the place to be. This trip will expose you to some of the deepest snow you will ever ski in - by the end of February 2025, Hakuba will have received a staggering 730 cm of powder (that's nearly the height of two double-decker buses!). To make the most of the vast backcountry available, we highly recommend hiring a guide.

The experience

During your stay in Hakuba and as part of the package, we've included one of the best excursions you can imagine. First, you'll head to the Jigokudani Monkey Park to get up close and personal with the snow monkeys soaking in the thermal pools. Then you'll be whisked to the historic Obuse Town, famous for its chestnuts, sake brewery and arts and crafts. Your final stop is the ancient and serene Zenkoji Temple.

The adventure doesn’t stop there. After you’ve wrapped up the skiing portion of your trip, you'll leave Hakuba and ride the world-famous bullet train (shinkansen) to Tokyo, reaching speeds of up to 200mph. We recommend staying in Tokyo's Shinjuku district as you can see a lot within a short space of time. Our top highlights include the energy of Shibuya Crossing and a drink in Golden Gai - a compact district of around 200 tiny bars. When it comes to dining, you'll be spoiled for choice with thousands of restaurants to explore. From hidden gems tucked beneath buildings to high-rise hotel eateries, you can savour everything from yakitori and sushi to exquisite kaiseki cuisine.

Despite being one of the world’s largest and busiest cities, Tokyo is also home to dozens of serene temples and shrines. We strongly recommend visiting Meiji Jingu Shrine, a peaceful oasis where you can momentarily forget the city's fast-paced energy.

When to visit

Our Hakuba Valley Ski Safari is best enjoyed in winter and spring. Each season provides its own exceptional experience.

January to mid-March is the best period for full-on powder skiing and seeing the monkeys enjoy the warmth of the thermal pools in the beautiful snowy valley.

If you prefer blue skies, the snowpack is reliably deep and the conditions on the mountain stay fantastic throughout March. There's still the occasional powder day, plus plenty of bluebird days for skiing in the sunshine and taking in the staggering views of the valley. Off the slopes, the temperatures for touring Tokyo are more pleasant the closer to spring you visit too!