Introducing the recommended ski resorts of Japan's ski paradise, the "Hakuba area"

09 July, 2024
The Hakuba area is blessed with a vast amount of land and quality snow. There are also plenty of onsen towns and sightseeing spots, and it has long reigned as one of Japan's leading snow resort areas. The Hakuba area is packed with more than 20 ski resorts in total, boasting an impressive scale when you consider the area as a whole. This time we’ll look at the seven leading ski resorts in the Hakuba area! Those of you who say "What are the differences between the ski resorts of Hakuba?" and "There are so many ski resorts, I don't know which one to choose...", please refer to this guide!

"Hakuba Goryu Ski Resort", where you can ski unrestricted down a vast slope

The superb view from the top of the slope
"Hakuba Goryu Ski Resort" has some of the biggest slopes in the Hakuba area. As it’s connected to the adjacent "Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park" in the summit area, you could say that it actually forms an ultra large snow resort. The lift tickets are common to both places, so you can play on the huge slopes all day long.

The comprehensive facilities are outstanding, with courses that anyone from beginner to advanced level can enjoy, a ski center that’s open 24 hours a day, and restaurants that have all kinds of food on the menu. There’s also a 5000-meter long course and a mogul course for advanced skiers, so those who are confident in their ability can also enjoy themselves. It’s Hakuba's leading big resort and can be enjoyed by both single skiers and families.

⇒ Click here for more Hakuba Goryu Ski Resort details

The quality of the park facilities at "Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park" is amongst the top in Japan

Snow park
"Hakuba 47 Winter Sports," next to Hakuba Goryu, is a ski resort with a reputation for its quality and range of park items. Both in terms of number and quality, it has gained an overwhelmingly strong reputation, and there’s an endless stream of skiers and snowboarders visiting Hakuba 47 from all over the world wanting to experience the park for themselves.

It’s a place that can be said to be a paradise for snowboarders, and many say the quality of the park is number one in Japan. It may not be good for skiers and snowboarders who just want to ski, but it’s the perfect practice area for those who wish to improve their skills. Since there are common lift tickets, it’s recommended that you also ski into Goryu if you get tired of the park.

⇒ Click here for more Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park details

"Kashimayari Ski Resort" boasts a compact and sophisticated slope arrangement

Balloons dancing on the slope
The great aspect of "Kashimayari Ski Resort" is that you can enjoy freedom of movement! The area of the slope itself is compact and may compare unfavorably in the Hakuba area, which is packed with vast ski resorts.

However, taking advantage of this disadvantage, efforts to pursue ease of use can be felt everywhere, such as the lifts arranged to enable efficient movement around the resort, easy connection between courses, and easy-to-ski slope configurations made to enclose the central area.

Because of the high elevation, it has a good reputation for its snow quality and landscape. Another good point is that it’s an area with little congestion in the Hakuba area. It doesn’t really stand out, but if you go there, you’ll find that it’s a hideaway ski resort where you can discover many appealing aspects.

⇒ Click here for more Kashimayari Ski Resort details

"Hakuba Happo One Ski Resort" has a range of some of Hakuba's best courses

A skier zooming down a steep slope
Hakuba Happo One Ski Resort has some of Hakuba's best courses. Most are high-difficulty courses for advanced skiers, but the slope’s exquisitely difficult course composition keeps skiers coming back for more.

As the advanced skiers who are seeking competitiveness in their skiing go there en masse, it’s a special environment that makes you feel like you’re improving just by watching the skiing of the other skiers. It’s the perfect slope for intermediate or advanced skiers aiming to take their skills up a level.

⇒ Click here for more Hakuba Happo-one Ski Resort details

A well-balanced, little-known slope, "Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort"

The view from the ski lift
"Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort," located deep in the hinterlands of the Hakuba area, is a ski resort for families with a good balance of snow quality, service, and price. At the foot of the slope is a flat course that beginners can enjoy, and near the summit is an advanced course with intense moguls, so it’s easy for skiers of any level to enjoy themselves.

It’s in a location that is difficult to access from the metropolitan area, but on the other hand, it also has the benefit of being unlikely to get crowded, even on weekends and holidays. Lift tickets and lunch prices are reasonably priced for the Hakuba area, so it’s also known as a wallet-friendly ski resort.

The nearby Hotel Green Plaza Hakuba, with its triangular roofed building, is a residential hotel with a relaxing resort atmosphere. There are extensive facilities such as onsen, shops, and restaurants. It’s like a hidden trove-type of ski resort that you can enjoy alone or with your family.

⇒ Click here for more Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort details

"Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort", where there is a course for super beginners with a maximum incline of 8 degrees

Skiers enjoying a flat course
Tsugaike Kogen, known as the best slope for beginners in the Hakuba area. It has a unique slope composition, with 80% of the courses aimed at beginners.

The "Kane-no-naru-Oka” slope, with a maximum incline of 8 degrees in the base area, is a vast course with a width of 1200 meters. The scenery is so good that you can see the surrounding landscape from every corner, and it’s so wide that you don’t have to worry about hitting other skiers, even if you ski side by side.

You can enjoy a refreshing long run of 4,000 meters from the top of the mountain to the foot! Though it may not be satisfying for advanced skiers, it’s the perfect ski resort if you want to practice the basics of skiing.

⇒ Click here for more Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort details

"Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field," where you can enjoy spectacular views of a solitary mountain

A slope covered with silvery-white snow
It’s the only ski resort in the Hakuba area built on a lone peak (a single mountain not part of a range). What makes a lone peak so great is the outstanding landscape. Since there is nothing in the surrounding area to get in the way, you can enjoy the most spectacular view, where you can see the Hakuba area from anywhere you look.

The view from near the summit in clear weather is a sight to behold, and there are some skiers who visit Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field just to see the view. The slope configuration is simple, and each course can be accessed from the summit. The fact that you can enjoy a long run directly from the summit is another feature of this resort. It’s recommended for skiers who want to see the superb view.

⇒ Click here for more Hakuba Iwatake Snowfield details

In any case, enjoy dynamic skiing in the vast Hakuba area

That about does it for our introduction to ski resorts in the Hakuba area - in addition to those introduced this time, there are still many great ski resorts out there. Please experience the charm of this enormous ski resort with your own eyes!

Pricing information and schedule may not be up to date and are subject to change without notice. Please check before your trip.

Related ski resorts
Dec. 16th to Mar. 24th
Courses12
Lifts8
Longest run distance4,100 m
Maximum gradient38 °
Courses12
Lifts8
Longest run4,100 m
Maximum38 °

Hotel + lift pass

2 people1 nightAUD 566.48〜
See detail

Lift ticket

AUD 56.60
AUD 53.51〜 (JPY 5,200〜)
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Dec. 14th to Mar. 31st
Courses16
Lifts6
Longest run distance3,500 m
Maximum gradient42 °
Courses16
Lifts6
Longest run3,500 m
Maximum42 °

Hotel + lift pass

2 people1 nightAUD 528.13〜
See detail

Lift ticket

AUD 59.6910% OFF
AUD 53.51〜 (JPY 5,200〜)
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Lessons

AUD 306.67〜 (JPY 29,800〜)
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Items for this ski resort were purchased within 24 hours.
No. 10 Ski Resort

Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field Nagano Prefecture

No. 10 Ski Resort
Dec. 20th to Mar. 30th
Courses13
Lifts9
Longest run distance3,300 m
Maximum gradient35 °
Courses13
Lifts9
Longest run3,300 m
Maximum35 °

Hotel + lift pass

2 people1 nightAUD 318.92〜
See detail

Lift ticket

AUD 66.899% OFF
AUD 60.72〜 (JPY 5,900〜)
Book Now

Rentals

AUD 41.1610% OFF
AUD 37.05〜 (JPY 3,600〜)
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Items for this ski resort were purchased within 24 hours.
Nov. 30th to May 5th
Courses15
Lifts12
Longest run distance5,000 m
Maximum gradient35 °
Courses15
Lifts12
Longest run5,000 m
Maximum35 °

Hotel + lift pass

2 people1 nightAUD 306.24〜
See detail
Dec. 1st to May 6th
Courses16
Lifts22
Longest run distance8,000 m
Maximum gradient37 °
Courses16
Lifts22
Longest run8,000 m
Maximum37 °

Hotel + lift pass

2 people1 nightAUD 318.92〜
See detail

Lift ticket

AUD 82.33〜 (JPY 8,000〜)
Book Now

Rentals

AUD 41.1610% OFF
AUD 37.05〜 (JPY 3,600〜)
Book Now
Items for this ski resort were purchased within 24 hours.
Dec. 1st to May 6th
Courses14
Lifts19
Longest run distance5,000 m
Maximum gradient35 °
Courses14
Lifts19
Longest run5,000 m
Maximum35 °

Hotel + lift pass

2 people1 nightAUD 307.19〜
See detail

Lift ticket

AUD 71.01〜 (JPY 6,900〜)
Book Now

Lessons

AUD 306.67〜 (JPY 29,800〜)
Book Now
Nov. 30th to May 5th
Courses8
Lifts7
Longest run distance6,400 m
Maximum gradient32 °
Courses8
Lifts7
Longest run6,400 m
Maximum32 °

Hotel + lift pass

2 people1 nightAUD 318.92〜
See detail