Hakuba, termed as the Japanese Alps, offers a stunning blend of world-class ski terrains, abundant snowfall, picturesque mountain views, rejuvenating hot springs, and an authentic taste of Japanese culture.
Why Hakuba?
Hakuba, nestled in the Northern Alps of Nagano Prefecture, is a ski paradise offering an impressive array of terrains across its nine extensive ski resorts, including over 200 runs catering to all skill levels, not to mention the iconic Olympic run from the 1998 Winter Games. Known for its consistent and abundant snowfall, Hakuba sees an average of 11 meters of powder each season, guaranteeing superb skiing conditions. But the appeal of Hakuba extends beyond its excellent runs; it is set against the spectacular backdrop of the Northern Alps, which provides a visually stunning element to your ski experience. After a day hitting the slopes, you can unwind in Hakuba's traditional Japanese hot springs, or onsens, a perfect way to soothe your muscles and immerse yourself in a time-honored cultural practice. Off the slopes, Hakuba invites you to delve into Japanese culture, offering authentic cuisine, historic temples, and the Hakuba Olympic Village. In essence, Hakuba delivers an unparalleled skiing adventure that beautifully marries world-class sport with the captivating allure of Japanese culture.
What will the trip look like?
Day 1 – Welcome to Hakuba!
We’ll gather at Narita airport and there will be a transfer to the accommodation in Hakuba. Take the rest of the day to explore the area and rest before an action-packed 5 days of skiing or snowboarding.
Day 2 to 6 – Let’s Hit the Slopes!
After a hearty breakfast, it’s time to hit the slopes! Daily equipment rental and the Hakuba Valley Pass are included. With this pass, you’ll be granted access to all 9 ski areas of Hakuba – Hakuba Goryu, Hakuba 47, Hakuba Happo-One, Hakuba Iwatake, Tsugaike Kogen, Hakuba Norikura, Hakuba Cortina, Jiigatake, and Kashimayari. So take your pick and let’s explore the slopes together over the next 5 days.
Day 7 – Til Next Time, Hakuba
All good things come to an end. There will be a transfer from the accommodation to Narita airport, where you can catch your flight back home or to your next destination!
This trip includes
| Return transfer between Narita airport and accommodation |
| 6-night accommodation in 3* hotel room |
| 5-day Hakuba Valley Pass |
| 5-day equipment rental (helmet, ski poles + boots + skis OR snowboard + boots) |
| Daily breakfast |
The following are excluded:
| International flights to Narita airport |
| Travel insurance |
| Personal expenses |
Which of the 9 ski areas will we be hitting?
This ski trip is free and easy, hence it is up to you. A rough plan could look something like this:
Day 1 – Hakuba Happo One: Begin with the most famous resort in the region, renowned for its range of terrain suitable for all skill levels. It's the largest of the resorts, so there's plenty to explore.
Day 2 – Tsugaike Kogen: This resort is known for its large beginner area and long, wide runs. If you're an advanced skier, you may want to try its off-piste tree skiing.
Day 3 & 4 – Hakuba Goryu and Hakuba 47: These two resorts are connected. They offer a mix of terrains that cater to all levels, including an extensive terrain park.
Day 5 – Cortina and Norikura:
These resorts are connected and known for their excellent powder and tree runs. Cortina is particularly popular on a powder day.
Where will we be staying?
We know skiing is not the cheapest sport, so we wanted to find an affordable option that doesn’t compromise your experience. We will be staying in Hakuba Gateway Hotel. While it is no fancy 5-star resort, this accommodation is only 500m away from the ski lifts and just off the lively main street.
Is it beginner-friendly?
Beginners are more than welcome to join. We will share with you the website of the ski school there. Each full-day lesson costs around $120. We recommend doing a minimum of 2 to 3 full-day lessons for beginners.
Help! Should I choose Niseko or Hakuba?
Hakuba is termed the Japanese Alps for good reasons. Like the European Alps, you can expect good views, long runs and a large variety of ski routes. Hakuba is also cheaper since you fly into Tokyo instead of Hokkaido!
If you want the absolute best and softest snow, then Niseko wins. Niseko also has one of the best night skiing scenes.
Personally, I would choose Niseko if my goal is to improve my skills and pick up some new tricks as the abundant snow makes an excellent training ground! Otherwise, I would pick Hakuba to get a much larger variety of views and runs!
What is the difference between this trip and the #GreatSingaporeSkiTrip?
We hold the #GreatSingaporeSkiTrip twice every season, and there are a few differences from this trip:
- Location: The #GreatSingaporeSkiTrip will be held in the French alps
- Group size: The Hakuba trip will have a maximum of 18 people per trip, while the group size for the #GreatSingaporeSkiTrip is much larger
- Frequency: The Hakuba trip will have a few sessions across December to March, while the #GreatSingaporeSkiTrip is held only twice per season (usually Dec / April). Think of it as Sotravel’s bi-annual winter event!
So should I go for the #GreatSingaporeSkiTrip or this trip?
If your schedule and wallet permit, we think you should come for both!
For those who are picking between the two, it’s ultimately up to what you’re looking for so here are some considerations:
- Lessons: If you’re a beginner or looking to improve your skills through guided lessons, we would recommend the #GreatSingaporeSkiTrip. The resort we’re working with in the French alps has really great prices for their instructor lessons. As such, the #GreatSingaporeSkiTrip includes daily lessons in the trip price. We find these lessons incredibly helpful for beginners and even those with prior experience improve much faster
- Travel plans: Both Japan and France are travel destinations the Sotravel team absolutely adores. From Hakuba, you can travel to the rest of Japan. Likewise, from the French alps, you can head over to Italy, Switzerland and other countries in Europe. If you already have plans to visit either destination, you can do a pre or post-trip after hitting the slopes!
Regardless, both trips are going to be a blast and you can’t go wrong with either choice.
Sotravel 
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