Hakuba ski holidays

Hakuba Valley groups ten ski areas across Hakuba Village, Otari Village and Omachi City, at the foot of mountains of around 3,000 m. The All Mountain Pass opens all ten, a common gate system works at nine of them, and a shuttle bus links the valley (Hakuba Valley).

Happo One is the mountain at the heart of the valley: 220 ha from 760 m to a top lift at 1,831 m, 16 courses on 21 lifts, and a cruise of 8,000 m from the Riesen Grat down to the base at Sakka (Hakuba Happo One). It hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics. The other nine change the rhythm of the week, and we choose each morning's mountain for the snow and the group.

Groups with every level in them. Happo One alone rates its trails 30% beginner, 50% intermediate and 20% advanced, and runs a kids park and beginner areas on its mid and lower mountain (Hakuba Happo One); the valley adds gentler mountains for days when the children lead.

We book private instruction by level rather than one lesson for everyone, so a first timer learns on a quiet slope while stronger skiers ride the upper lifts, and the group meets again for lunch. Our guide to skiing with children covers how that day is built.

January and February, which JNTO names as the peak of Japan's season (JNTO). Happo One averages about 210 cm of snowfall in January and 240 cm in February, with 200 cm still falling in March (Hakuba Happo One).

The 2026/27 opening and closing dates have not been announced yet; we confirm them with each mountain as soon as they are. Christmas and New Year fill first, so for those weeks we book the instructor before anything else. More in when to book a ski trip.

Fly into Tokyo, Narita or Haneda, then take the Hokuriku Shinkansen and an express bus: as little as 2 hours 50 minutes from Tokyo to Hakuba. From Nagoya it is about 3 hours 34 minutes by the limited express Shinano (Hakuba Valley).

With bags, skis and children, a private transfer from the airport or from Nagano station is simpler, and on the days you ski a different mountain we arrange the car. Ask us about flights and transfers.

Only through the official gates at ABLE Hakuba Goryu, Happo One, Tsugaike, Hakuba Norikura and Hakuba Cortina; Jigatake, Kashimayari, Sanosaka, Hakuba47 and Iwatake have no gates, and backcountry access there is prohibited. An avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel are required (Hakuba Valley).

For gate days we book a qualified local guide. The lifts are changing too: Tsugaike plans a new six seat chair for December 2026 (Japan Ski Experience), and Happo One is planning a new gondola and base at Nakiyama (Hakuba Happo One), reported for December 2027 (Uchi Japan).

Everything between the flight and the last run: where you stay, a private instructor for each level, the All Mountain Pass, transfers, equipment and a concierge on the ground, with one point of contact from the first message to the flight home.

Patagonia Living is a ski travel agency based in Patagonia and operated worldwide, and skiing is all it plans. The full list is in what a private ski trip includes. Plan your next trip with us.