Resorts Close to Jimmy’s House

With 10 resorts accessing over 200 runs, Hakuba is the skiing mecca of Japan.The Hakuba Valley in Nagano Prefercture is a huge expanse of resorts offering an incredible variety of terrain for skiers and snowboarders alike.

The southern end of the valley Sun Alpina incorporates 3 ski areas to the linked resorts of Hakuba 47 and Goryu-Toomi and the Olympic ski resort of Happo-One situated in the heart of Hakuba. To the northern end of the valley, Iwatake, Tsugaike, Norikura and Cortina resorts are all impressive and rate highly amongst skiers and boarders alike.

Just three and a half hours from Tokyo, nestled amongst the three peaks of Mt Yarigatake (2903m), Shakushi (2812m) and Shirouma (2933m), Hakuba is a central hub for for snow sports in japan. There is something in Hakuba for everyone regardless of their level.
The Hakuba Valley averages over 11 meters of powder snow per season across more than 200 runs that contain some of Japan’s longest vertical descents. Host to numerous events of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games, Hakuba is gaining international recognition and popularity. Short lift lines, excellent powder, long runs and great local culture are but a few of the factors that are putting Hakuba on the world map.

Hakuba Goryu

Goryu is a large ski areas connected Hakuba 47. Vertical at just under 1000m and with some of the steepest slopes in Japan. Two base areas at Escal Plaza and Imori have restaurants serving a large variety of Japanese and Western food. Night skiing is a must at Goryu with awesome ski resort connected to Hakuba Goryu. Some very long cruising intermediate runs coupled with some interesting powder courses.

Vertical drop: 926m
Runs: 16
Lifts: 13
Park: Yes
Night skiing: Yes

Hakuba 47

Hakuba 47 has probably the best snowpark in Hakuba. Great snow management ensures a long season with top to base skiing until May.

Hakuba’s two most modern resorts are seamlessly linked together with high speed quad lifts and gondolas. Both resorts have a good mix of wide open slopes and steeper challenging runs, with plenty of hits and natural features. The pistes are well groomed and really fun, and with regular snowfalls there is always lots of powder too. All around there are stunning view of the Japanese Alps and access to incredible backcountry for those with suitable knowledge and experience. Hakuba 47 boasts the best park in the valley, located at the top of the gondola. The park crew keep it’s superpipe, kickers ranging from 2m to 20m and rail features, well maintained. On the lower slopes of Goryu there are two smaller beginner parks. Goryu also offering night skiing open 7 days a week and an impressive range of facilities and restaurants in its modern base building. From Japanese cuisine to Subway and Haagen-Daz, there’s plenty of choose from!

Vertical drop: 800m
Runs: 8
Lifts: 6
Park: Yes
Night skiing: No

Happo-one

The largest resort in the Hakuba Valley and the most famous resort in all Japan. Happo One (pronounced oh-nay)held the premier events at the Nagano Olympics. It has the highest vertical in Hakuba at over 1000m and the longest run is over 8km long. There are four different base areas to the mountain all with great access up the mountain. Back country is accessed from the top of the mountain

Cortina

One of the favourite resorts to head for especially after a snow storm. Cortina receives the most snow in the Hakuba Valley That 10cm of snow in the town can mean up to 40cm at Cortina. Cortina is connected to Hakuba Norikura.

Norikura

Hakuba Norikura or HakuNori is sandwiched between Tsugaike and Cortina ski areas. Although not large, Hakuba Norikura has some mixed runs including the Sky View slope at 38 degrees. There are some nice runs through the trees making it a very pretty resort. No quad lifts only pairs and one triple. Great snow park with the Kitabata half pipe. Norikura is interconnected with Cortina .

Tsugaike

Large ski area with 27 lift and one helicopter for spring skiing. Good areas for beginners at the lower part of the mountain and some very good intermediate skiing further up the mountain

Iwatake

Fun resort where you can ski all the four points of the compass. Lift access is very good and long cruising runs back to the base area. Great views from the top of the gondola with peaks rising on three sides. Small snowpark keeps the kids entertained.

Kashimayari

Kashimayari is a medium size resort and part of the Sun Alpina Group. The resort lies just to the east of Lake Aokiko and the views down the valley are spectacular. Kashimayari is ideally suited to intermediates and beginners, though Advanced skiers will not get bored if they buy a Sun Alpina interconnected pass. Night skiing is available everyday of the week.

Sanosaka

Surrounded by forests and Lake Aokiko, Sanosaka has a variety of courses to suit everyone from beginners to experts. The mogul course is one of the most famous in Japan, be prepared to get big air here. Head for the powder course on a powder morning – it sometimes stays untouched until lunch time!

Minekata

Great place for beginners and easy intermediates. Wonderful views at the top of the slope. Cross country and snow shoeing also available. Situated about a 10min drive from Hakuba Station.

Aokiko

Aokiko is the most picturesque resort in the Hakuba Valley. Rising suddenly from the pristine Aokiko Lake the views down are a photographers dream. Aokiko is the middle resort in the Sun Alpina Group that means over 40 courses to enjoy.

SNOWPARKS

Snow Park

R-4 Big Snow Park is a toy box that has various park items of jumps, rails etc. for free ride skiers and snowboarders! Have you ever experienced that excitement after challenging a half pipe? Once you taste it, you won’t forget it and I’m sure you will think you want to try it again.
Item In Details

Today’s Park:
16m Kicker
10m table
10m Down Rail
8m Table
6m Table
5m box
5m Rail
3m Table
3m Table
wave
5m Box

R-4 BIG SNOW PARK LAYOUT

HOW TO USE OUR R-4 SNOW PARK
For Experts (Line A.B side)
You can enjoy 3 Big Jumps starting from 15m (sometimes upto 20m in height) Big Kicker to two following Big Table Tops. Big Kicker at Hakuba47 is often used for shooting photos and videos. Many professional freestyle skiers and snowboarders train themselves at Hakuba47 every day.

For Intermediate (in centre)
Expand your challenge starting from Half Pipe, 2 Kickers of 8m or 5m, Box Rail and a rail. You can enjoy all the items for one run.
For Beginners (Gondola side) For beginner Half Pipe users, a small half pipe has been made and you can enter this mini pipe from the right side of Gondola Exit this year.　There are 4 gentle waves and a wider rail that has 4 rails together followed. There are also 3 small table top and a box rail and you can enjoy 3 jumps in one run. This beginner line is used for “free ride ski camp” and is maintained well every day.

Half Pipe
Half Pipe at Hakuba47 is used for FIS Competition in March this year. After the big renovation on land and purchasing Super Magician, it has become bigger. Well maintained every day.

Yanaba

The beautiful Lake Aokiko on the outskirts of Hakuba, Yanaba is a local favourite for uncrowded park shredding and night time jib action. It is a small park resort with fun features, including a halfpipe. With awesome views of the North Japan Alps over the lake, easy access and cheap tickets (only 1000 Yen for a day or night ticket), it’s the perfect place for learning those 270-ons or a laid back park session with friends. It is the only resort offering night park riding in the area, and located only 10 minutes away with it’s own train station, a visit to Yanaba can be easily combined with a days riding elsewhere.

Vertical drop: 300m
Runs: 9
Lifts: 4
Park: Yes
Night skiing: Yes