The King of the Hakuba Valley and centre of all resorts, Happo is the highest and most versatile resort in Hakuba. Wide open beginner to expert runs and only limited out of bounds rules make Happo one of the best choices of the Hakuba resorts.

A skiers and boarders first choice in Hakuba with a great children's area. Boasting more on-piste riding than any other ski area in Hakuba. The awesome backcountry accessible from mid level and top lifts that will bring you to tears! Home of the 1998 Winter Olympics Downhill, GS and Ski Jumping combined events.

A close second to Happo is the combination of Hakuba Goryu and Hakuba 47, and is favoured by many. Boasting a good halfpipe and jump park in the area and plenty of versatile terrain for everyone. The Goryu base station is a new international centre providing for all retail, commercial and information needs and Goryu Imori has some of the best beginners terain.

Like Happo One, 47 has awesome backcountry which is accessible from top lifts. Hakuba 47 has many north facing slopes (meaning powder unaffected by the sun) Hakuba 47 has some very steep terrain as well as great cruising intermediate runs. The terrain park at 47 is one of the best in the Hakuba Valley.

With many intermediate level slopes this resort is dedicated to skiers and boarders needs. Featuring a great halfpipe and a lot of wide open terrain, Iwatake is a popular resort on weekends with the locals. A great place to take the family on a clear day as the views back down the Hakuba Valley are amazing.

The season in Hakuba lasts from the beginning of December until the beginning of May. There are usually guaranteed powder conditions from mid December to mid March. With over 11 metres of annual snow fall you are sure to have fresh snow at least once over a week stay in Hakuba during Decemeber to March. You can forget about riding icy and seeing rocks poke through on the groomers. Usually Happo One will not open until they have a 2 metre base from top to bottom.

 

Considering the amount of snow we receive the temperature is not that cold in Hakuba compared to other international ski resorts. The temperature at the top of the mountains is usually between -7 and -14 and the bottom between -7 and -2.

 

November - a couple of seasons ago our first ski day in resort was November 20th. Off peak prices and super quiet resorts mean you usually have the run to yourself. Great backcountry access to the higher peaks of the Japanese Alps.

 

December - usually resorts start to open during the first week of December. The resorts start to get busy  from around the 20th December and peak during Christmas and New Years. New Years is one of the biggest national holidays in Japan... so book early. Great atmosphere with festivals throughout the village and Fireworks on New Years Eve in Happo Village.

 

January - is our busiest month of the season. But the resorts in Hakuba rarely feel crowded compared to other international ski resorts. We have never waited more than 10 minutes to get on a lift in Hakuba. The Nozawa Fire Festival is a must see on January 15. The Happo High cascade terrain park is built by the end of January.

 

February - the Happo terrain parks are in full swing and the bottomless powder days just keep coming. Chinese New Years holiday falls on the first week of February in 2010 which can be booked out very early. The village and mountain atmosphere is in full swing.

 

March - our favourite time in Hakuba. A real hidden gem. Sunny blue bird days, great snow and quiet off peak resort conditions make this time of year something special. The backcountry really opens up around this time and with the Tsugaike cable car and heli-skiing kicking off make for easy access to some amazing terrain.

 

April - backcountry skiing is in full swing in April. Access to some of the higher peaks of Hakuba opens up making this time of season a ski tourer's paradise.

 

May - most resorts offically close after the second week of May. And after a nearly 6 month long season it is incredible how much snow is still on the ground on top of the mountains.