The Japanese Alps are located on the main island, just a short distance on the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line (bullet train) from Tokyo. Once ensconced in this mountainous terrain, where rugged peaks tower over 3,000 metres, skiing intuition leads you to the Hakuba valley where even the valley floor is blessed with an average annual snowfall of over 12 metres per annum.

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There are 11 separate ski resorts in the valley, all unified under one lift pass, namely (from north to south): Cortina, Norikura, Tsugaike Kogen, Iwatake, Happo-One, Hakuba 47, Goryu, Sanosaka, Kashimayari, Jigatake, and Minekata. This equates to 960 hectares of skiable terrain, 90 miles of piste, 200 plus courses, 135 lifts (five gondolas) and at least nine terrain parks.

The entirety of the Hakuba ski area can be accessed by the Hakuba Valley's shuttle bus service. The shuttle runs regularly throughout the day, connects the 11 separate resorts, and is free to use by all Habuka Valley pass holders. 

As well as its range of groomed pistes, the Hakuba Valley also has a great backcountry to explore, with opportunities to hike/ski up from the top of some of the ski resorts. Safety is paramount when backcountry skiing; with our contacts and local knowledge, the team here at Oxford Ski can help you secure the best guides.

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The main hub of the valley is Happo, where the majority of Hakuba's luxury ski accommodation is located. The ski village has a great vibe and caters well to English-speaking guests with a wide range of restaurants, including Western-style dining, as well as plenty of opportunities to sample fabulous Japanese cuisine. Happo One, the ski mountain located right on your doorstep, is the largest in the valley, featuring wide open pistes intersected with vast ungroomed sections, making it a breeze to dip your skis into the deep powder.