Winter Services in Hakuba
Hakuba Valley Ticket
For your convenience, order your Hakuba Valley lift ticket in advance and it will be waiting for you at your accommodation ready for your arrival. Get straight onto the lifts and on the snow and ski the entire Hakuba Valley whenever and wherever you like, ski multiple resorts in one day, have the freedom to do as you please; pre-ordering allows you the absolute freedom to maximize your ski time and get the best out of the Hakuba Valley. Order now and avoid the hassle!!
The pre-paid lift tickets are an all mountain pass, valid at 10 ski resort in the Hakuba Valley and holders can access all resorts through an extensive free shuttle bus system that services the Hakuba Valley.
The lift tickets allow for non-ski rest days, so you can get the most out of the exciting sight-seeing opportunities in the Hakuba Valley and Nagano Prefecture, without your lift ticket going to waste! Check out the validity periods of each ticket on the PDF below.
Hakuba Valley Ticket is accepted at the following 10 Ski Resorts
- Happo-one
- Hakuba 47
- Goryu & Iimori
- Iwatake
- Sanosaka
- Tsugaike
- Norikura
- Cortina
- Jiigatake
- Kashimayari
The Hakuba Valley Ticket does not cover night skiing and therefore if you wish to ski at night then there is an additional charge of 2,000 yen per person. Night skiing is available at Happo One, Goryu, Kashiyamari and Tsugaike.
Please note: That the lift tickets are non-refundable and non-replaceable under any circumstances including injury, loss or theft, please take care of your lift ticket at all times.
Individual Resort Tickets
Lift tickets can also be purchased at all of the individual resorts. Most of the lift ticket windows accept all types of credit cards now, however we do suggest that you have access to Japanese yen cash at some of the smaller resorts. Senior tickets are only available at the lift ticket windows directly and in this case ID will be required in order to get the discount.
Epic Lift Passes
Epic Pass, Epic Local Pass, and Epic Australia Pass holders may receive one complimentary 5-day ticket during the 2023-2024 HAKUBAVALLEY snow season.
Epic Australian Pass - 2023/24
The 2024 Epic Australia Pass provides access to Hakuba Valley in Japan with 5 consecutive days with no blackout dates in the Hakuba Valley.
How to collect your Epic Pass in the Hakuba Valley
Show your Epic Pass at the designated ticket window of any of the Hakuba Valley snow resorts. This at the main lift ticket service window / entry point at each of the resorts.
You may be asked to present a photo ID (e.g., driver’s license or passport) to confirm your identity.
Receive a complimentary 5-consecutive-day Hakuba Valley ticket for Epic Pass holders.
This ticket is valid for 5 consecutive days from the first day of use.
You must present your Epic Pass at a designated ticket window where you will be issued a Hakuba Valley lift ticket for access. You cannot just go directly to the lifts.
This ticket allows access to all resorts in Hakuba Valley. You can ski and ride at an unlimited number of resorts each day.
No deposit is required.
This ticket can only be used by the Epic Pass holder to whom it was issued. It cannot be shared.
This ticket cannot be reissued, is not available for resale, and is non-transferable and non-refundable.
This ticket is not valid for night skiing or riding.
You can ride the shuttle bus free of charge with a valid HV 5-consecutive-day ticket.
However, please note that your ticket will not be valid for night shuttle buses.
Ikon Season Pass is not valid in Hakuba
To book your lift tickets, fill out the Ski Japan Holidays Inquiry Form below.
Central Snowsports
Central Snowsports is a black-tie rental business providing top end services to ensure all of their guests are well taken care of and their gear is in tip top condition. Offering a huge range of Demo Skis & Boards in Hakuba. They stock everything you could wish or want for, powder, park, mogul, all mountain skis, backcountry equipment and informative advice for novice first time skiers on where and how to proceed.
With three stores across Hakuba virtually on snow, you won’t have any trouble finding a convenient Central Snowsports rental store nearby to your lodgings. Their stores are in the Gondola area of Happo-One, Echoland main street, which is their brand new store for the 2023- 2024 Season and will be their signature store in Hakuba. These and also they have another store in the Wadano area within the Koharu complex across the road from the Sakka ski area.
They pride themselves on matching you with the best gear possible for you to progress and enjoy no matter what your ability. Incorporating a huge range of gear for hire available through their online store. Check out exactly what models they stock, they are the real deal with very knowledgeable staff who can point and guide you to what’s going to work best for you in Hakuba and will go above and beyond to keep their customers happy.
Spicy Rentals
Spicy Rental has complete coverage of the Hakuba Valley with three convenient shop locations including Wadano, a brand new store in Echoland for the 2023 - 2024 Season and at the Iwatake Gondola Station. Benefits of booking with Spicy Rentals includes being able to swap gear anytime at any shop in the Hakuba Valley and an extensive range equipment for all levels at competitive rates.
In store retail shopping with great gear and everything you need to compliment your time in the snow with boots, beanies, back-county gear, thermal gear, waxes, gloves and googles Spicy has got you covered..
Spicy is Hakuba’s longest serving ski operator and their key to success is extensive options, great prices followed by excellent customer service.
Rhythm Snowsports
Rhythm Hakuba located in Wadano next to Mominoki Hotel offers premium ski rentals and has the largest retail shop in Hakuba offering all of the top brands such as Burton, K2, Armada, Volkl, Salomon, Rossignol, Libtech, Stepchild, Forum, Endeavour, Jones, Oakley, and The North Face. Rhythm Snow Sports has a huge range of ski and snowboard boots in stock from all the leading ski boot brands including Atomic, Full Tilt, Head, Rossignol, K2 and Lange . Our expert boot fitters and boot doctors will have your feet fitted comfortably so you can maximize your time in the mountains. Renting through Rhythm offers you the peace of mind knowing that your gear is perfectly tuned and ready to perform for you.
For the 2023 - 2024 Winter Season Rhythm is opening a brand new store in the Happo Village within the Happo Hotel adjacent to their retail outlet also in the Happo Hotel.
Evergreen International Ski School
Evergreen International Ski School in Hakuba employ a large number of foreign and domestic ski & snowboard instructors speaking a variety of languages. Evergreens team of certified ski and snowboard instructors offer you the opportunity to learn your next steps at any level and show you a fun filled lesson for you and your group. Learn to be a better skier or snowboarder and see what you can achieve on the snow during your time in Hakuba.
Hakuba Snow Sports School
In Hakuba for top-quality ski and snowboard lessons then book with the Hakuba Snowsports School. Here they are committed to providing you with the best possible learning experience, no matter if you're a beginner or a seasoned pro. With friendly and professional instructors dedicated to helping you achieve your goals on the slopes.
Hakuba Snowsports School provides a personalized high level of instruction whereby one will be shown and learn how to be a better skier or snowboarder. Their snow sports instructors are thorough seasoned career snow professionals and will demonstrate and teach you the key techniques needed to make you be all you can be.
With a full range of private, group and specific clinics on offer Hakuba Snowsports is a great choice and recommend school for you and your family. Located at the Imori Ski Resort in Hakuba Snow Sports School has selected one of the best areas for terrain in Hakuba for the development of skiing and snowboarding.
In choosing Hakuba Snow Sports School, you'll take your skiing or snowboarding skills to the next level.
Hakuba Ski Concierge
A boutique ski school operating out of Hakuba who differ from conventional ski schools by way of offering exclusive private lessons. Comprised of just a handful of extremely carefully selected instructors, who can ensure the highest levels of customer service and lesson quality and know the Hakuba Valley intimately.
Hakuba Ski Concierge believes in completely customized experiences that allow their guests to manage their own time accordingly, this combined with superb snow, multiple resort options, numerous onsens and great lunch choices, the days are truly yours to design.
Hakuba Ski Concierge provide a fully comprehensive lesson for you and up to 5 others, at your choice of resort in the Hakuba Valley. The day is yours to design, and the instructors will provide specific tailored ski or board lessons, or expert resort guiding and help & advice help with any errands around town and give you excellent advice useful for the rest of your stay in Hakuba.
Maximize every minute on the slopes, in the side country or out in the backcountry with their handpicked, highly skilled, experienced, fun and friendly instructors. Whether you're wanting to master the moguls or it's your first day on skis , or you are a big mountain powder junky - their staff will instruct, guide and tour with you through this beautiful valley. Maintaining the highest levels of safety and professionalism and making sure you thoroughly enjoy the Hakuba snow experience.
Ski Japan Holidays has a very good relationship with Hakuba Ski Concierge, so let us introduce you to this great business and help you get set up for making some very memorable snow experiences.
Backcountry Tour Operators in Hakuba
Reach out above and beyond the boundaries of the resorts, by joining in on some epic backcountry excursions run by avalanche certified professional mountain tour operators.
Explore the vast Hakuba backcountry and some of the very best powder skiing in Japan. The Japan Alps average 12+ meters of dry powder each year, and no other mountain range in Japan has comparable terrain. "Japow" doesn't get much better than this. Ski Japan Holidays can introduce you to certified avalanche professionals and seasoned backcountry guides for your complete Hakuba backcountry tour experience.
With the sheer expanse of backcountry, there are so many places to ski that it can be daunting for those who may not know the terrain or where to begin. The Hakuba backcountry is worth exploring and you’ll be exploring it safely with an experienced and professional guide. Whether you are a first timer in the backcountry, or a seasoned powder-hound, Ski Japan Holidays can cater the tour to your level and ability and introduce you to the best operators in Hakuba.
Backcountry tours are for those who can competently ski and board in powder and variable snow conditions. Ideally this will mean you and or your group as a minimum have strong intermediate levels with the ability to link parallel turns on all runs in all snow conditions, confidently being able to turn in treed terrain by way of avoiding hazards and to follow a traverse line on skis/board and being fit enough to hike and get yourself up out of deep snow when you fall. If you would like to try backcountry but are not sure of your level, please feel to ask us at Ski Japan Holidays and we will give you our best advice and experience on how to proceed.
Remember to play safely in the mountains, these are big beautiful majestic mountains in the Hakuba Valley, but they can be dangerous, avalanches can and do happen so make sure you are well prepared. As a result we choose to work with the best operators in the Hakuba Valley and can thoroughly recommend one of the following backcountry tour companies.
Evergreen Backcountry Tours
Come and explore the vast Hakuba backcountry and some of the very best powder skiing in Japan. Hailing from all corners of the globe, the Evergreen Backcountry Guides bring to Hakuba a wealth of knowledge and experience so you can safely enjoy skiing Japan powder in the Hakuba backcountry.
In Japan, or anywhere else in the world, it doesn’t get much better than this! Evergreen Backcountry Guides are certified avalanche professionals and seasoned backcountry guides.
Hakuba Ski Concierge
A fully registered and resort approved operation based out of Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park. Owing to years spent living and working in Hakuba, owner and creator, Nadine & James Robb, both high level certified instructors recognized the increasing demand for fully customized private lessons and guiding, and in response to this emerging market Hakuba Ski Concierge was founded in 2016.
Designed with the discerning traveler in mind, Hakuba Ski Concierge signature instructors and guides are committed to delivering an unparalleled lesson or tour and the very best experience of Hakuba on any given day. The surest way to experience the best of what Hakuba has to offer is to hire a guide who has intimate knowledge of where the best conditions on any given day are to be found.
Guides can be arranged so that you can experience various levels and types of terrain, starting with resort guiding, whereby you’re shown the best spots inside of the ski resort patrolled boundary areas; all those hidden local runs. Then there are quite a few resorts in the Hakuba valley that have amazing off-piste terrain right from the sides and tops of the ski areas. When the snow falls in Hakuba, the off-piste areas are the place to head to. With your experienced guide to lead you safely you’ll be treated to some epic turns off the resorts and unbelievable memories are to be created.
Then for the ultimate virgin terrain, reach out above and beyond the boundaries of the resort for some epic backcountry excursions. In Hakuba perhaps the best in Japan, the sheer expanse of backcountry, there are so many places to ski that it can be daunting for those who may not know the terrain or where to begin. The Hakuba backcountry is worth exploring and you’ll be exploring it safely with an experienced and professional guide.
To be able to experience this level of guiding you need to be able to competently ski and board in powder and variable snow conditions. If you would like to try backcountry but are not sure of your level, please feel to ask us here at Ski Japan Holidays and we will give you are our best advice and then you can customize the day to suit your level.
Hakuba Ski Concierge vision is a simple one; to provide and maintain the highest level of guest experience, service and satisfaction delivered by contented staff that are passionate about their work.
Snowshoe Tours
Experience a world away from the crowds and lift-lines and explore the silence of Hakuba's more removed areas on snowshoes. The Hakuba area has endless trails on mountain ridges or through old growth forests and shrines, with truly some of the best Alpine views in all of Japan. Full day and afternoon half day snowshoe tours are run daily from December 10th to the end of the season.
Snowmobiling Tours
Enjoy the novel snowmobile experience instructed by trained guides. Blaze through winter landscapes on a 1 hour snowmobile adventure in Hakuba, a tour perfect for beginners. Follow a guide into the backcountry trails of Happo and Hakuba 47, located just a 5-minute drive from the Happo Village Lion Adventure Cafe & Tour Information Office. Smash through some powder and ride on cut trails, experience beautiful forested landscapes with some spectacular mountain scenery. You have the option to ride alone or ride tandem. Tours are run daily between mid-December and mid-March, depending on the amount of snow.
Snow Monkey Hotsprings Tour
Snow Monkey Tours are the most popular day tour to participate in whilst in Hakuba. The world's famous Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park is home to about 200 wild monkeys who spend their days soaking in the natural hot springs, keeping warm from the harsh winter.
The park was opened in 1964 and is considered to be the only place in the world to see snow monkeys bathing in the wild. The hike to the hot-springs takes approximately 30 minutes each way.
Departing from the monkey park we then make our way to the historic town of Obuse, home to the famous Japanese artist Hokusai and Masuichi Sake Brewery. Lunch is a delicious set course traditional Japanese meal with a choice of main courses including dessert and glass of Japanese rice wine Sake.
The next stop is Nagano City home to Zenkoji Temple, designated a national treasure and has a history of over 1,400 years. It is one of Japan's most revered temples and houses the first image of Buddha brought to Japan in the 7th century. The streets surrounding the temple are lined with lantern lit shops and tiered roofed stalls, souvenir shops and galleries.
Our tour dates for the following 2023-2024 Winter Season will be as follows:
• 2023.12.22 (Fri) – 2024.3.30 (Sat)
• December – February: Every day except 1st Jan 2024
• March: Operational on Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday's
Read more at Snow Monkey Tour
Book your place at Snow Monkey Tour / BOOK ONLINE
Monkey photos © Toshio Hagiwara
Matsumoto Castle Tour
Explore the fascinating and picturesque near by city of Matsumoto, at which lies the famous Black Castle. Enjoy stops at the Daio Wasabi farm where you can try a variety of wasabi prodcuts including wasabi ice cream! The tour leads you through Matsumoto's traditional preserved town with great souvenirs and photo opportunities, then through the 6 storey castle and over to lunch at a miso factory. You'll also get to visit a sake rice wine factory and take a look inside as well as sake tasting for the adults!