Have fun with your family at Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort! Introducing features and surrounding spots

What is Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort?

Hakuba Happo-one Ski Resort, located in Happo, Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture, is one of Japan's most well-established ski resorts, having opened in 1928. It was also the venue for the Nagano Winter Olympics in 1998. From the summit, located at an altitude of 1,830m, you can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the Hakuba Sanzan mountains of the Northern Alps, as well as Mt. Myoko, the Togakushi mountain range, Mt. Asama, and the Yatsugatake mountain range.

A ski resort where you can enjoy some of Japan's best powder snow

The most attractive feature of Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort is the quality of its snow. It has some of the best powder snow in Japan, so many skiers and snowboarders from all over the world gather here every year. The longest run is 8,000m, and there are a total of 16 courses.

Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort has a wide range of courses that attract advanced skiers, so you may have the impression that it is difficult.

However, it also has beginner courses, a snowland where small children can play on sleds and other play equipment, and a kids' park, so it's a ski resort that the whole family can enjoy.

There are a variety of courses for advanced skiers, including tree runs!

Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort has a wide range of courses for advanced skiers, including superb powder snow and thrilling tree runs. Here we introduce five courses.

Omusubi Off-Piste

You can enjoy the finest powder snow on this course that goes straight down from the Skyline Course to the Panorama Course. The upper part is an open run (on ungroomed snow) with an incline of over 30 degrees, and has many kickers (jumps). The lower part is a thrilling tree run area, and is a course for advanced skiers.

Incline: Maximum 33 degrees, average 27 degrees

Difficulty: Advanced

Maximum distance: 500m

View Course

This powder snow course is for advanced skiers and was also used in the Nagano Olympics. It involves skiing down an open run with a maximum gradient of 37 degrees, so you'll need not only skill but also the courage to ski all the way to the end. The starting point is a viewing spot with a view all the way to the Southern Alps, and the view alone is breathtaking.

Incline: Maximum 37 degrees, average 30 degrees

Difficulty: Advanced

Maximum distance: 250m

Kurobishi Off-Piste "Ura Kuro"

This is an off-piste (not artificially groomed) area located on the north side of Kurobishi No. 3 Pair Lift. This is the most difficult course at Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort and requires advanced skiing skills. Located at an altitude of 1,600m, the natural snow at "Urakuro" is very light and fine, allowing you to enjoy powder snow that you can't find anywhere else.

Incline: Maximum 31 degrees, average 27 degrees

Difficulty: Advanced

Maximum distance: 800m

Olympic Course Ⅰ

This is the men's downhill course for the Nagano Olympics. It starts off gentle, but at the end it becomes quite steep, with twisting slopes and moguls waiting for you. Starting at Kurobishi-daira on the Kurobishi slope, you will ski down to the Panorama slope, the Russi Jump, and finally the Kokusai slope. This is a course for advanced skiers with no detours.

Incline: Maximum 35 degrees, average 31 degrees

Difficulty: Advanced

Maximum distance: 3,000m

Olympic Course II

This is the women's downhill course for the Nagano Olympics. Starting at Kurobishi-daira on the Kurobishi slope, you ski down a steep slope from the Panorama Course to the Umadome Jump. The course ends with a gentler slope, and the finish line is the Sakka slope. There is also a detour course, so you can feel safe.

Incline: Maximum 35 degrees, average 31 degrees

Difficulty: Advanced

Maximum distance: 2,650m

The courses are also great for families!

Although the slopes at Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort have an image of being difficult, they also have beginner and intermediate courses that families can enjoy. Here we will introduce 7 courses.

Nagiyama Slope

This slope is located at the entrance to Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort. It is easily accessible, with two large free parking lots and shuttle buses to hotels and other ski resorts nearby.

The slope of the course is a maximum of 35 degrees and is suitable for intermediate skiers, and can be accessed by Nagiyama No. 2 Lift and Nagiyama No. 3 Lift. Once you get off Nagiyama No. 2 Lift, there is a step-up course where beginners can practice sliding, stopping, and turning, which is also recommended for beginners.

Incline: maximum 35 degrees, average 17 degrees

Difficulty: Intermediate

Maximum distance: 750m

Riesen Slalom Course

This is the signature course at Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort, and it connects to the upper part of the Nagiyama slope. You can use the Riesen Quad lift and enjoy a wide, long course with an elevation difference of 800m.

This extremely popular course features large changes in slope, and moguls may appear in the afternoon.

Incline: Maximum 30 degrees, average 20 degrees

Difficulty: Intermediate

Longest distance: 3,045m

Shirakaba Slope

This is the starting point of the gondola and is a slope for beginners and intermediate skiers. Be careful as the slope gets steeper as you go down the slope.

At the base of the mountain there is Adam Plaza, which is equipped with changing rooms and toilets. There is also a ticket office and a store selling sports equipment and souvenirs. There are several parking lots nearby, including a paid parking lot, and there is also a shuttle bus stop to take you to hotels and other ski resorts.

Incline: maximum 20 degrees, average 11 degrees

Difficulty: Beginner

Maximum distance: 500m

Sakka Slope

This slope features a gentle slope and wide courses. It is recommended for beginners in skiing and snowboarding, as well as for small children to practice, and ski lessons for beginners are also held. The slope is accessible by the Sakka 2nd and Sakka 3rd lifts.

At the entrance to the slopes, there is the convenient Snow Plaza Sakka, which has a ticket office, restaurant, and toilets.

Incline: maximum 18 degrees, average 10 degrees

Difficulty: Beginner

Maximum distance: 600m

Panorama Slope

This is a popular slope for intermediate skiers and can be reached by gondola or International Lift No. 1. It has a wide range of slopes with a variety of variations, combining intermediate and gentle slopes, and you can ski while looking out at Mt. Myoko and the Togakushi mountain range.

If you're worried about skiing down the entire panoramic slope, there is also a forest road detour so you can take on the challenge with peace of mind.

Additionally, there are Yeti and Sun Terrace Panorama, where you can have lunch or a coffee break, at the top and bottom of the slope respectively.

Incline: maximum 25 degrees, average 16 degrees

Difficulty: Intermediate

Longest distance: 700m (1,200m on the detour forest road)

Nakiyama Snow Land

This snow land features a domed moving belt that can be enjoyed by families and beginners alike. The land is protected by safety netting, making it the perfect place for small children to sled, as well as for their first skiing or snowboarding experience. (Admission fee: 1,200 yen for adults and children (ages 3 to elementary school), 600 yen for adults and children for village residents)

Usagidaira Kids Park

It is open when Mt. Nagi is closed. It is located right next to the gondola summit station at an altitude of 1,400m. There is also a rest house next door, so it is safe for families with small children. (Admission is free)

[Meals] A kid's room is available, so you can feel safe bringing children! Restaurant

Within Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort, there are many restaurants that boast using local Hakuba ingredients. Among them, we will introduce two restaurants that are equipped with kids' rooms and are safe for families with children.

Snow Plaza Sakka Bear's Cafe

Bear's Cafe, located at Snow Plaza Sakka at the entrance to the Sakka slope, is a 250-seat restaurant where you can eat pasta, hamburgers, curry, etc. There is also a kids' room and a nursing room.

Cafeteria Yeti

This cafe is located on the second floor of Usagidaira Terrace, adjacent to the mountaintop gondola station. They serve dishes using local ingredients, such as roast beef donburi, Shinshu specialty sauce cutlet donburi, and sanzoku-yaki donburi. They have 350 seats, a kids' room, and even a nursing room.

[Accommodation] Relax with the family! Hotels near the slopes

There are many hotels around Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort where families can relax. Here we will introduce three hotels that are within walking distance or shuttle bus from each slope.

Rosenheim Hakuba

Located just a two-minute walk from the Nagiyama slope, Rosenheim Hakuba is a hot spring resort hotel with a distinctive Scandinavian-style exterior. The hot spring water, which flows directly from the source, is Happo Onsen, also known as the "beauty bath." The open-air bath offers a spectacular view of the Northern Alps.

Address: 3750 Hokujo Happo, Hakuba Village, Kitaazumi District, Nagano Prefecture

Official website: English available http://www.rosen-h.com/en/ *English available site

Hakuba Mominoki Hotel

Hakuba Mominoki Hotel is a resort hotel located in the forest at the foot of the Northern Alps, about a 5-minute walk from the Kokusai slope. The hotel is decorated with warm, elegant antique furniture, creating a luxurious and quiet space. The hotel's vast grounds also include a restaurant, a bar (some open only in winter), and a visitor's center.

Address: 4683-2 Kitajo, Hakuba Village, Kitaazumi District, Nagano Prefecture

Official website: https://www.mominokihotel.com/en/snow/ *English site

Hakuba Highland Hotel

Hakuba Highland Hotel, about 15 minutes by shuttle bus from Happo Gondola Station, is a hotel that boasts Hakuba Himekawa Onsen. The open-air bath offers a spectacular view of the Northern Alps. In addition, during the winter season only, a drying room is available for storing skis, snowboards, boots, poles, etc.

Address: 21582 Kitajo, Hakuba Village, Kitaazumi District, Nagano Prefecture

Official website: https://www.hakuba-highland.net

[Night Leisure] Take the shuttle bus to the nightlife

The Hakuba area has many izakayas and bars, and offers a wide range of nightlife options. Here we will introduce three places you can enjoy by using the shuttle bus. Please note that the travel time by foot or taxi is also included.

Drinker's House

Nonjae, located about a four-minute taxi ride from Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort, is an izakaya where you can enjoy a mountain vegetable soba set made with Azumino buckwheat flour, as well as Genghis Khan and sukiyaki. There are vegetarian options and menus in English. There is a wide variety of alcoholic beverages, and they carry a large selection of sake, especially local Shinshu brands.

Hakuba Taproom

Located inside the Hakuba Panorama Hotel, about a 14-minute walk from Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort, Hakuba Taproom is an izakaya where you can enjoy 16 types of craft beer. Meals are mainly Western dishes that go well with beer, such as chicken cutlets, hamburgers, and fries. There is also a pizza menu for children under 12 and a playroom, making it a popular restaurant with families.

To use the facility, you must make a reservation by email or phone, and we recommend making a reservation in advance.

BAR REFUEL HAKUBA

BAR REFUEL HAKUBA, located about a 6-minute walk from Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort, is a stylish restaurant and bar with a particular focus on interior design. It is open until 2am. The shop is proud of its large hamburgers. They also have a wide variety of alcoholic drinks, so it is recommended for those who want to have fun until late at night.

[Hot Springs] Refresh your body and mind! Day trip to hot springs

The Hakuba area has not only hotels but also hot spring facilities for day trips. We will introduce three hot spring facilities where you can soothe your tired body after enjoying snow activities.

Happo no Yu

It is located at the entrance to Hakuba Happo Onsen town, just a short walk from the Happo Information Center. It is the largest day-trip hot spring among the Hakuba Happo Onsen hot springs. You can see the Hakuba Sanzan mountains from the bathtub, which will soothe your body and mind.

Owl Bath

It is located on the way to Happo from JR Hakuba Station (about a 10-minute walk). The soft water is a feature, and you can enjoy the view of the Northern Alps from the open-air bath. It is a good place to stop by after enjoying skiing or snowboarding, or after eating around JR Hakuba Station.

Village Hot Spring

It is located about a 7-minute walk from Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort. It is a small hot spring with a distinctive hexagonal exterior. The bathtub, which opened in 1988, has a historic feel to it and gives off a nostalgic atmosphere, allowing you to slowly warm up your body. This outdoor bath is used by many people staying at Hakuba hotels.

If you're heading to Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort, the Snowliner is the best option!

To get to the charming Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort, it is convenient to use the direct bus "Snow Liner" departing from the Tokyo area. Since you can choose your boarding and disembarking points on the "Snow Liner", you can travel directly to Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort from Tokyo Station, Haneda Airport, and Narita Airport. In addition, it operates daily during the winter season from December 15, 2023 to March 29, 2024, and the pricing is easy to understand, making it easy to make reservations.

For more information, please see the official website, which is available in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean.

Snowliner reservations here