Hakuba Valley

Featuring wide, gentle slopes with an average gradient of 13°, Jigatake offers a change of pace. In a season filled with Hakuba Valley’s big-mountain charging, this is the place to dial it back and reset.

The Echo Slope, spanning up to 200 m in width, provides a consistent angle and broad open space. Rather than chasing speed or technical terrain, it’s the perfect setting to refine your turns, check your form, and focus on the pure mechanics of each carve.

Its forgiving terrain makes it equally welcoming for beginners. Friends and families of mixed ability levels can enjoy the snowy landscape together, each riding at their own pace.

When you’re ready for a bit more pitch, head up to the Raicho Course. With an average gradient of 27° and a length of about 700 m, this quieter trail lets you carve your lines without the crowds.

You don’t need to push your limits every single day.

Overlooking Mt. Kashimayari, Mt. Jigatake, Lake Aoki, and the Azumino Plains from its 1,550m summit, Kashimayari offers terrain that goes far beyond what its “Family Park” name suggests.

The prime target here is the “Ippon-buna Downhill Course.” Stretching roughly 2,000 m through beech forests, this run is packed with natural features—gullies, banks, and rolls. Unlike manicured groomers, it challenges you to read the terrain and pick creative lines.

On a clear morning, don’t miss “Toomi Grand View A.” Carve wide turns down the broad groomed face while taking in panoramic views stretching from the Northern Alps to Azumino.

Overlooking Lake Aoki, SANOSAKA offers one of the most striking locations in Hakuba Valley. Start on the “Lake Down / Lake View” run—a 1,500m line emerging from the forest that feels as if you’re skiing straight into the blue waters below.

But SANOSAKA offers more than just scenic views.

“New Paradise” is an advanced, 27° steep slope offering both groomed and un-groomed options, making it a prime spot for powder on a snowfall day. Because it’s a relatively tranquil resort, you can often find untouched snow along the tree lines long after other mountains are tracked out.

Comprising three distinct areas—Alps Daira, Toomi, and Iimori—and connected at the summit to Hakuba47, GORYU boasts high-elevation snow quality at Alps Daira (1,680m) that keeps conditions prime for an extended season.

On a clear morning, start on the Panorama Course with views of the Northern Alps before dropping into the Grand Prix Course—a wide, open face with a 21° average pitch over 900 m, ideal for laying down high-speed, sweeping turns.

When the sun goes down, the day is far from over. At the base lies one of Hakuba Valley’s largest night-skiing operations.

*The Hakuba Valley All-Mountain Season Pass does not include night skiing at Hakuba GORYU.

With its predominantly north-facing slopes, Hakuba47 maintains superior snow conditions. First on your list should be “R1,” a signature run dropping all the way from top to bottom.

Spanning 2,500 m with an average gradient of 22°, R1 winds down ridges and valleys with shifting pitches and snow textures. On a freshly groomed morning, it’s an exhilarating, non-stop cruiser.

Then there is “47PARKS”—a terrain park featuring kickers, jib lines, and a halfpipe, efficiently serviced by its own lift for quick lap turnarounds. For freeriders, the tree run zones (accessible via a quick safety registration) offer another dimension.

Host venue of the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. With a 1,071m vertical drop and a maximum run length of 8,000 m, Happo-One stands as the iconic big mountain of Hakuba Valley.

First thing in the morning, carve down the “Riesen Slalom Course”—a 3,045m legendary run with a 20° average pitch and steeps up to 30°. Lay down wide turns on pristine corduroy over varied terrain changes.

For steeper challenges, head up to Kurobishi. Featuring steep 27° faces and famous mogul fields, a fresh snowfall transforms this zone into a haven for powder hounds.

An independent peak facing the three iconic peaks of Hakuba. Iwatake offers a 360-degree mountain panorama, but its true magic lies in how you can ride its natural terrain.

The “Sunny Valley Course” stretches 3,000 m from peak to base, providing a long cruiser featuring natural side-hits and terrain play along its wide face.

When fresh snow falls, head to the VIEW Area on the backside. “View A” is an un-groomed zone preserving natural rollers, banks, and walls, allowing you to dive into deep powder directly facing the Northern Alps.

Ride the 4,120m gondola straight to an elevation of 1,704 m, unlocking an expansive field that showcases the sheer scale of Hakuba Valley.

The “Han-no-ki Course” offers a 4,000m descent from the upper mountain, transitioning smoothly from steep slopes to gentle cruisers, with natural terrain features scattered along the edges.

On heavy snow days, enter the DBD (Double Black Diamond) Tree Run Area. This dedicated zone offers deep, un-groomed snow woven through natural trees and terrain. While a brief safety orientation is required for access, what awaits is the ultimate Tsugaike powder experience.

100% natural snow. Spanning three mountain ridges, Norikura is packed with diverse terrain—from steeps up to 38° to mogul fields and deep powder pockets.

At the top, take in the surrounding views before choosing your line. A single lift access opens up multiple course options across the ridges.

The “Highway Course” features an open 800m run with a 25° average pitch. Meanwhile, along the “Rabbit Course,” powder lovers can score fresh lines right under the lift line on snow days.

Norikura also serves as a gateway to backcountry access.

Situated at the northernmost point of Hakuba Valley. Nestled between two ridges, Cortina’s steep faces and abundant snowfall draw powder enthusiasts from around the globe.

The crown jewel is “Hiedayama Course 2”—a north-facing, un-groomed pitch boasting a maximum gradient of 42° and an average of 26°. Drop into waist-deep powder first thing in the morning, or tackle the technical, tracked-out steeps later in the day.

Over on the Itadaira Course, enjoy a wide, consistent face pointing straight down toward the iconic red-roofed hotel at the base.

Best of all, Cortina’s bowl-shaped topography naturally brings all trails back to the base lodge.