Jiigatake Snow Resort is an excellent option for beginners as most of the ski slopes have a gentle incline and are quite wide, offering a full view of the area. It is highly recommended for families who are trying skiing for the first time.

The upper part of the slope has a course with medium slopes and trees, and on clear days, you can even see Azumino amidst this peaceful landscape.

The kiddy slope has troikas that are designed to help young children who can't ride lifts to ride them safely. Sleighs are also available for them to play with.

Hakuba Goryu Snow Resort is comprised of three slopes: the Alps-Daira, the Toomi, and the Iimori, which offer a total of fourteen courses. The Alps-Daira is the first slope to open for ski season and is one of the longest-lasting slopes, remaining open for skiing until Golden Week in May. The breathtaking snowscapes make it an excellent spot to witness the Northern Alps, resulting in its immense popularity.

The other two slopes, Toomi and Iimori, have wide slopes with gentle inclines, making them ideal for beginners, children, and families. Additionally, Toomi and Iimori are the largest night skiing slopes in the region.

Nestled amidst lush forests and a serene lake, Hakuba Sanosaka Snow Resort is a ski area that caters to 80% beginners and mid-level amateurs. One of the courses offers a stunning view of Lake Aoki during winter skiing, which makes it a popular choice for people who want to ski at their own pace, particularly families.

This ski area is perfect for people of all skill levels to have a great time. Whether you're with family or friends, and even if some members have varying degrees of expertise, everyone can enjoy themselves.

Period: Mid-December to late March (subject to change depending on snow conditions)
Hours: 8:30 AM to 4 PM (typical schedule)

Next, we’ll introduce a few ski areas for more advanced skiers. The first of these is Hakuba Happo-One Snow Resort, and it was the setting of the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano. The ski area features several restaurants, and is popular for offering cuisine from all around the globe. (For the curious, it's pronounced "oh-né" instead of "1".)

The mountain peak and range reach over 1000 meters above sea level, resulting in some of the best powder snow in the country. The longest course is an 8000-meter-long long cruising course, and is a huge attraction! It’s an incredibly large ski area that can’t be finished in a single day, so why not give it a try if you’re serious about challenging yourself on the ski slopes?

Norikura Onsen Ski Resort is another perfect resort for advanced skiers. With a splendid view of the Northern Alps right in front of it, this ski area is a romantic location which feels like your own private resort!

Though wide slopes with easy courses suitable for beginners and families are available, the main attractions are the 38-degree inclined tracks and mogul courses, and with a large number of variations available, it’s a place where experts can ski to their heart’s satisfaction too!

Besides skiing, powder snow frequently falls in the area too. You can try out snow scooting, telemark skiing, and snowshoes too.

The third area we’ll be recommending is Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park. The extremely popular Snow Park in the area is a must-see as well! From half-pipes to kickers, various obstacles and objects are lined up for you to try out.

Though it’s a given that getting to ride the snow on your own will be fun, seeing the snowboarders and skiers do their thing in the Snow Park has a charm of its own as well, and is more than enough to give you an enjoyable time. Besides this, this ski area is connected to Hakuba Goryu Snow Resort, another popular ski resort, at the mountain peak.

In Hakuba Valley, there are a total of ten ski areas, including the ones that we introduced. With the “Hakuba Valley Lift Ticket,” you can use all 10 ski areas. Using just one ticket, you can ski in various ski areas in Hakuba (Hakuba, Otari, Omachi) in one day, giving you the most bang for your yen!

From single day tickets to seven-day tickets that are usable over a period of sixteen days, there are ten types of tickets on sale. For the 2024 to 2025 season, one day tickets cost 9,700 yen for adults, and 5,600 yen for children. (Adults: over 13 years old/ Children: from 6 to 12 years old/ Children under the age of 5 enter for free)

Each ticket can be bought on the internet, from the official web shop.

The ski areas in Hakuba Valley are connected by a shuttle bus, allowing you to access multiple resorts from one starting point. You can ride the shuttle for free on days when you have a valid Hakuba Valley Lift Ticket, except for night skiing and the night shuttle bus.

By using the Hakuba Valley Ticket, you can start on beginner slopes and progress to more challenging Olympic-level courses as your skills improve. It offers various ways to enjoy your visit and ensures your satisfaction.

To reach Hakuba, there are direct express buses from Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Tokyo Station, and more. These buses eliminate the need for transfers, making them a convenient and efficient mode of transportation.

This information was originally published in 2020 and updated in November 2024. Please check the official websites for the latest details.