Where to Ski in Hakuba by Ability Level

We’ve leveraged our years of experience to sort Hakuba’s best resorts by ability level. Please note that some resorts are listed under multiple categories. These resorts are excellent for groups with different ability levels who are looking for fun for everyone.

Never Ever (First-Timers)

The following Hakuba ski resorts are the ideal place to start your snow journey. We highly recommend lessons. They will help you to learn the basics and get comfortable on the snow.

Iimori Ski Resort

Iimori offers gentle slopes and child-friendly chairlifts, ideal for families with young children or first-time skiers. The resort features an English ski school, Hakuba Snow Sports, so language barriers are no concern.

Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort

Tsugaike Kogen is a paradise for beginners. The slopes are wide and shallow, which reduces the intimidation factor. Plus, the amenities are incredibly friendly. The Gondola mid-station is a beginner-friendly area and offers a variety of food options.

Hakuba Norikura Ski Resort

If you prefer a more laid-back and less crowded environment, Norikura might be the perfect choice for you. Known for its traffic-free, wide, and gentle ski slopes, Norikura is a quiet and serene setting, ideal for honing your skills without the pressure of a bustling crowd.

Beginner

Once you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to explore more of Hakuba’s slopes. Beginners should be able to stop and turn on green runs.

Tsugaike Mountain Resort

Tsugaike remains a top choice with a twist—its progression-friendly terrain caters to those looking to step up from the easiest slopes. The lift system is user-friendly, and the variety of runs ensures you’ll build your confidence progressively.

Hakuba 47 Ski Resort

Hakuba 47’s mid-station area is ideal for beginners looking to perfect their turns. It boasts wide and gentle slopes that are perfect for honing your skills without the pressure of a bustling crowd. Looking to test out your legs, route 1 offers a gentle cat track from the top of the gondola, giving you a chance to take in the beautiful views of the spectacular Japanese Alps as you make your way down to the bottom.

Hakuba Goryu Ski Resort

Goryu’s dedicated beginner’s area features gentle slopes and slow chairlifts, making it perfect for beginners to get comfortable on their skis or snowboards. The wave park is fun for the kids, and you can easily head over to Iimori to expand the available terrain.

Pro Tip: Goryu Toomi slope is Hakuba Valley’s only night skiing area. Enjoy the slopes under the stars for a unique experience.

Intermediate

So, you’re comfortable on skis and ready to tackle those blue/red runs. Step it up and head to the following resorts.

Hakuba Iwatake Ski Resort

Intermediate skiers love Iwatake’s tree-lined runs and mellow park features. The feeling of weaving through trees with the wind whistling around you is something special. Iwatake is renowned for its exceptional Hakuba mountain range views and welcoming amenities.

Hakuba Goryu Ski Resort

Head up to the top of Goryu for amazing views and fun intermediate runs. From the top of Goryu, you can easily access Hakuba 47 and ski top to bottom on both sides of the mountain.

Tsugaike Mountain Ski Resort

Long, wide groomers are the name of the game at Tsugaike. The upper portion of the mountain is an excellent mix of intermediate runs that guests will love. The wide slopes mean fewer crowds and better conditions.

Advanced/Expert

For advanced and expert skiers, Hakuba offers some of Japan’s most challenging and exhilarating terrain.

Hakuba Happo One Ski Resort

If you’re in the mood for moguls or steeps, Happo has some of the most challenging piste slopes in the valley. With close to 1200m of vertical and 4 base areas, Happo is excellent for a challenge.

Hakuba 47 & Goryu Ski Resort

Do you dare take on Hakuba 47’s double black diamond run? As one of Hakuba’s steepest mogul courses, it will put your legs and nerve to the test. You have an expert’s dream day when combined with Goryu’s Grand Prix and the Iimori Adventure Course.

Off-Piste/Powder Hounds

Hakuba’s powder is legendary. With over 11m of snowfall per year, the powder hounds will not be disappointed.

Cortina-Norikura Ski Resorts

Trees, trees, and more trees. Known for its deep powder and easy backcountry access, Cortina is a must for any hardcore powder hound. Be forewarned that the ski lift lines can be long on a powder. However, if you have the nose for it, you can often find deep pockets of powder well into the afternoon.

Tsugaike DBD (Double Black Diamond)

Tsugaike’s DBD area is lauded for having some of Hakuba’s best lift-accessible powder tree skiing. Be prepared—this is for those who live for the thrill of fresh tracks and deep powder. Big drops, steep terrain, and tight tree runs are all part of the experience in DBD.

Hakuba 47 Tree-Zone

Steep and deep trees await in Hakuba 47’s dedicated tree zone. It’s where you’ll find adrenaline-pumping descents and unparalleled powder runs. To access the area, you must sign a waiver and watch a safety course on YouTube.

Park Skiers and Snowboarders

For those looking to catch some air, Hakuba’s terrain parks will have you flipping out in no time.

Hakuba 47 Snow Park

Easily, Hakuba’s best park, Hakuba 47 Snow Park, is a must-visit for park skiers and snowboarders. With multiple jumps, rails, boxes, and other features, this park offers something for all skill levels.

Iwatake Terrain Park

Iwatake Ski Resort features a terrain park that offers a diverse mix of features, including jumps, rails, and more. It also has a mini halfpipe for beginners to get comfortable with riding in the pipe.

Tsugaike Kogen Terrain Park

Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort’s terrain park is known for its massive jumps and long rails, making it a popular spot for advanced freestyle riders. However, the park lacks a dedicated track, which results in slower lap times.

Essential Hakuba Winter Travel Info

Have more Hakuba questions? Here are some quick tips and travel info.

When to Come to Hakuba

Hakuba’s season runs from mid-December through the beginning of May. The best snow conditions are from Late December until the end of March. If you’re not sure when to plan your trip, why not ask? Send us a quick message, and we can help you with your travel plans.

Lift Passes

When skiing in Hakuba, there are two types of passes to consider: the Hakuba Valley Lift Pass and individual ski resort passes.

The Valley Pass is a better option if you plan to visit multiple resorts during the day or don’t want to wait in line for tickets. However, for most people, the added cost is not worthwhile.

Hakuba Shuttles

As you can imagine, with 10 different resorts, getting from your accommodation to the hill without a rental car can be difficult. The Hakuba Valley Inter-Resort shuttle and individual resort shuttles comprise the valley shuttle system. Hakuba shuttle bus routes and schedules for the winter season will be updated in November.

Conclusion

Skiing in Hakuba is more than just a holiday; it’s an adventure.

From newbie-friendly slopes to expert-level challenges, Hakuba has something for everyone.

With its stunning natural beauty and lively international community, it’s no wonder Hakuba has become a top destination for winter sports enthusiasts.

So, whether you’re a beginner or a pro, add Hakuba to your bucket list of ski destinations.

See you on the mountain!

About Us

Hakuba White Fox Co offers luxury accommodations with personalized concierge services.
From ski lessons to dining, our bilingual team ensures a seamless, unforgettable stay in Hakuba.