白馬エリアのスキー場情報サイト

There are different kinds of dangers outside of the controlled ski area, such as avalanches,
hidden rocks, obstacles, cracks in snow surfaces, cliffs, gullies, and many more. Even areas as close as 1metre outside of the resort boundaries are not controlled by ski patrol and are designated as “uncontrolled areas”. Hakuba Valley snow resorts accept no liability for accidents that occur in the backcountry.

Due to the risk of severe accidents, some areas adjacent to snow resorts are closed. These areas are closed based on agreements with local administrative and associated organizations.
Please respect these closures.

Regardless of whether you are skiing backcountry with a guide or not, you will need not only an avalanche safety kit (an avalanche transceiver, a probe, and a shovel), but also any
essential items for venturing outside the ski resorts. Pre-season training is also important.
You are always welcome to the “Nagano Prefecture Comprehensive Mountaineering
Center” where they conduct seminars or courses in trekking and outdoor activities for the public. Be sure to submit a Mountain-Climbing Registration Form at a designated ticket window in advance to go outside of the ski resort boundaries or when climbing mountains outside of the resorts. Online submissions are also accepted. The Mountain-Climbing Registration Form must be submitted before purchasing tickets, therefore please print it out or keep a hard copy or download it to your device.

Information can be found via “Mountain Information” by the Nagano Prefectural Police and “Shinshu Mountain Information” by the Nagano Prefecture Association for the Prevention of Mountain Accidents. “Avalanche Information” by the Japan Avalanche Network is updated daily with the latest information. Knowing all types of avalanche risks and where the risks lie will help you to make a safer backcountry tour plan. Once the Avalanche Danger Scale rises to Level 3, inexperienced backcountry skiers and snowboarders are recommended to stay within the resort’s boundaries.

Never go backcountry alone. It becomes more difficult to take leadership and manage risks
in a big group, therefore keep your team small and plan your tour route carefully and effectively.

There is a century-old “Guide Organization” in Hakuba Valley. For those who want to enjoy
skiing or snowboarding safely, it is recommended to contact a professional guide who can manage risks in the backcountry. Although you can find different types of backcountry tour guide companies in Hakuba Valley, please make sure that your guide is certified by a national guide organization recognized by the International Federation of Mountain Guides Association (IFMGA). In Japan, the “Japan Mountain Guides Association” is a member of IFMGA.