Epic Pass
$67/day
Asia
Hakuba Valley
Nagano, Japan★4.7editor's rating
Hakuba Valley strings ten resorts beneath the 3,000-meter peaks of Japan's Northern Alps, all covered by a single valley pass and shuttle network. Host of the 1998 Nagano Olympics, it pairs the deep, frequent snowfall Japan is famous for with legitimately steep, big-mountain terrain - Happo-One alone has 1,071 meters of vertical - making it the alpine counterpart to Niseko's mellow tree runs.
Lift Ticket
$67/day
Vertical Drop
3,514 ft
Skiable Area
2,372 acres
Annual Snowfall
384"
Best For
Japow with Alpine Steeps
Terrain Breakdown
Beginner 20% Intermediate 40% Advanced 40%
Mountain Stats
Base Elevation
2,493 ft
Summit Elevation
6,007 ft
Vertical Drop
3,514 ft
Skiable Area
2,372 acres
Lifts
103
Runs
140
Annual Snowfall
384"
Season
Late November – Early May
Pass
Epic Pass
Night Skiing
Yes
Terrain Parks
Yes
Nearest Town
Hakuba, Nagano, Japan
Highlights
Ten resorts on one pass, including Happo-One, Goryu, and Cortina1998 Nagano Winter Olympics host venueAround 10 meters (32+ ft) of annual snowfallJapan's biggest lift-served vertical at Happo-One (1,071 m)Dramatic Northern Alps scenery unlike anywhere else in Japan5 consecutive days included on the Epic Pass
Pros
- ✓Steeper, bigger terrain than Hokkaido's famous powder resorts
- ✓Deep January-February powder plus renowned backcountry gates
- ✓Day tickets around ¥10,400 (~$67) - a bargain by western standards
- ✓Huge variety - ten resorts suit every ability and crowd tolerance
- ✓Night skiing at Hakuba Goryu and a lively international village scene
Cons
- ✗Resorts are spread along the valley and require shuttle buses
- ✗Snow is heavier and less consistent than Hokkaido's
- ✗Upper alpine terrain frequently closes in storms and wind
- ✗Peak-season crowds and rising prices in the main villages
Photo: Ski Mania / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
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