Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort | Introducing basic information and tips for enjoying

Basic information about Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort

Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort is part of Hakuba Valley, located in Hakuba Norikura Kogen, Otari Village, Kitaazumi District, Nagano Prefecture. It is commonly called "Hakunori".

Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort has a total of 15 courses, mainly for intermediate skiers, but also for beginners and advanced skiers, so it is recommended for a wide range of people, from families to those who like extreme sports.

Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort is located in the inland part of Hakuba Valley, so it has a reputation for good snow quality.

On the other hand, it is a smaller ski resort and tends to be relatively empty, making it a well-kept secret among some ski and snowboard fans.

About various fees

We will introduce various prices for lift tickets and rental equipment when enjoying skiing and snowboarding at Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort. Check in advance to ensure your ski/snowboarding plans in Japan go smoothly.

lift pass

Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort mainly sells shared lift tickets with Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort.

*Please check the official website for the latest information and other ticket types.

If you want to enjoy Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort for a long period of time, you have the option of purchasing a ``season ticket.''

It seems that you can also receive benefits and discounts through mutual discounts with other ski resorts and a partnership with "Vail Resorts."

Hakuba Valley, which includes Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort, is also affiliated with Epic Pass, a global snow resort alliance. Recommended for those who enjoy winter sports around the world.

Please note that some lift tickets can be purchased online, but lift tickets cannot be shipped outside of Japan, so please pick them up at the counter on the day of the event. You will be required to show your ID when picking up the item.

Considering the hassle of purchasing online, we recommend purchasing after arriving at the location.

Rental supplies

You can rent the necessary tools at the booth next to the locker room at the attached Hakuba Alps Hotel. The main rental fees as of October 2023 are as follows.

*Please check the official website for the latest information and other rental equipment and prices.

We also sell goggles and gloves, so even if you don't bring your own, you can get them locally.

You can usually bring winter sports equipment with you as hand luggage, but many international flights to Japan require you to register or pay a separate fee in advance. On the other hand, local rental costs may be high.

When planning a ski or snowboard trip, it's a good idea to compare rental costs and sports baggage costs and factor them into your travel budget in advance.

Features of Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort

The features of Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort are as follows.

Let me introduce you in detail.

A rich variety of courses

Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort is characterized by a wide variety of courses.

The vast slopes have a wide range of options, from easy courses for beginners and families to burn and mogul courses with a maximum slope of 38 degrees that will satisfy advanced skiers. There are also off-piste (snow surfaces that have not been touched by humans) ski slopes where you can enjoy professional skiing and snowboarding.

With courses that suit a variety of skills and styles, you'll be able to enjoy winter sports in Japan like never before.

[Caution] The area near the 11th pair lift is a self-responsible area.

The ``near the 11th pair lift'' in Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort is a ``self-responsibility area'' located outside the ski resort management area.

"Self-responsibility area" refers to an area where skiing outside the ski slope area is at your own risk, unlike general ski lifts. In self-responsible areas, skiers and snowboarders are expected to follow the rules and ski safely.

Therefore, you will be required to submit a disclaimer agreement and wear an armband. (Climbing registration and mountain insurance are optional)

The "Disclaimer Agreement" can be downloaded in advance from the official website, and is also available in English and Chinese. If you wish to enter the mountain, please check the rules in advance and be sure to ski safely.

Enjoy greater freedom with the Hakuba Valley all-mountain season ticket

By purchasing the "Hakuba Valley All-Mountain Season Ticket," the ski resorts in Hakuba Valley, including Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort, will be treated as one ski resort.

Of the 10 ski resorts in the Hakuba Valley area, the following 9 ski resorts have a common automatic ticket gate system.

Please note that if you are using Norikura Onsen Ski Resort as your base, you will need to pick up your ticket at the adjacent Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort.

Just the right size for beginners

Unlike large-scale ski resorts, Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort is attractive because it is neither too large nor too narrow, and has just the right size. The length of each course at Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort is relatively short, making it less tiring. Therefore, it is especially recommended for the following people.

There may be some people who feel that Hakuba Norikura Ski Resort is small. Common lift tickets for Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort and Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort are common.

There are a total of 30 courses between the two slopes, so if you're feeling unsatisfied, you can solve your problems by going back and forth between the two slopes.

Tips for enjoying Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort

Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort is a ski resort that is neither too large nor too small, but it is essential to gather information in advance to enjoy it.

Here are four things you should know beforehand to make your stay at Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort more enjoyable.

If you want to enjoy powder snow, aim for January to March.

If you want to enjoy powder snow at Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort, the best time to visit is from January to March. Especially in January and February, there tends to be a lot of snowfall, so you can enjoy the best powder snow.

In addition to heavy snowfall in March, there is also a chance to enjoy powder snow once or twice in April. As we approach the latter half of the winter sports season, the time to enjoy powder snow seems to be limited, with the only time available to enjoy powder snow in the morning.

When planning your trip to Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort, you may want to consider these times.

There are surprisingly many accommodation options

There are many lodging options around Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort. If you are concerned about access from the slopes to the hotel, we recommend staying at Hakuba Alps Hotel.

If you would like to stay at a more reasonable accommodation rather than access to the ski slopes, try arranging an accommodation near the ski resort. You can check the details of the accommodation in advance on Otari Village's official tourism website , but please note that some accommodations may not have a website.

If you want to enjoy hot springs, we recommend Hakuba Alps Hotel and Wakaguri Onsen Norikuraso. As I will explain later, in Japan it is a popular way to relax in a hot spring after enjoying winter sports.

Find the perfect accommodation for you and enjoy your stay at Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort.

From light meals to hearty meals! Take advantage of restaurants eligible for coupons

In addition to enjoying skiing and snowboarding, it is also a good idea to know the menus of restaurants on the slopes in advance.

Within the Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort, there is the main restaurant ``Snowdrop'' and three small restaurants on the slope side of Satomi Chuo (Petit Hotel Baku, Pension Andes, and Heidi).

In particular, the main restaurant "Snowdrop" offers a variety of menus such as curry and rice bowls.

Additionally, restaurants on the slopes are eligible for early bird lift ticket packs and online coupons, so you can save money by using coupons.

Effective for ski fatigue! Feel safe after skiing at two day trip hot springs

We will introduce two day trip hot spring facilities that you can use after skiing.

The quality of the springs is the same, so consider choosing a destination based on your budget and how tired you feel on the day.

How to access Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort

There are two main ways to get to Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort: by combining JR and buses, and by bus. Let's take a closer look at the differences between each.

How to get there by JR+ bus

One way to access Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort is by combining JR and buses.

In particular, some people who plan to travel to Japan for a long period of time or who plan to tour the country for something other than skiing may take advantage of the Japan Rail Pass.

If you use the Japan Rail Pass, you can use the JR train designated for each ticket, so you can combine train and bus transportation to Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort.

However, you must check locally to confirm bus schedules within Nagano Prefecture and whether the Japan Rail Pass is compatible. Especially in the winter, the number of bus services is limited, so it's best to consider carefully.

How to get there by bus

Another recommended way to get to Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort is to take a direct bus to the ski resort called the ``Snow Liner.''

"Snowliner" operates daytime and nighttime flights, connecting city centers and airports with hard-to-reach places like ski resorts. In particular, Hakuba Valley, where Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort is located, is very convenient as there are many direct buses that depart from and arrive at the city center and airport.

The fare is generally around 7,500 yen per adult, so it is suitable for sightseeing trips where the sole purpose is to visit the ski resort.

The Snow Liner is especially recommended for heading to Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort, as it allows you to travel comfortably without changing trains.

You can also make reservations for ``Snow Liner'' through our media ``MACHA''. If you are considering a trip to Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort, consider taking the direct bus, which allows you to enjoy the scenery along the way without having to transfer.

Click here to reserve the Snow Liner

Enjoy hot springs, skiing, and snowboarding at Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort!

Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort is one of the slopes where you can enjoy powder snow. Compared to other ski resorts in the Hakuba area, there tend to be fewer people, so you can enjoy a bit of privacy.

There are also two hot springs where you can soak right after skiing, making it an attractive place to enjoy Japanese-style skiing.

Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort is just the right size and has a variety of courses, so it is recommended for beginners, families, and intermediate to advanced skiers and snowboarders alike. This winter, be sure to spend a memorable time at Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort.