Hakuba Happo One – Overview
Happo One is one of Japan’s most famous ski resorts, located in Hakuba Valley, Nagano Prefecture. It is renowned for its extensive terrain, high-quality powder snow, and breathtaking views of the Japanese Alps. The resort features over 30 runs catering to all skill levels, with a mix of groomed slopes, tree runs, and off-piste options, making it popular among both beginners and advanced skiers.
Happo One also served as a venue for the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, hosting downhill and slalom events, which adds to its prestige. The resort is well-equipped with modern lifts, a variety of accommodation options, onsen hot springs, and vibrant après-ski activities. Its accessibility, only a few hours from Tokyo by train and bus, further solidifies its position as a top destination for domestic and international skiers.
In Hakuba Valley, there are 10 resorts to choose from. If you add up all the stats from all 10 resorts you get over 100 ski lifts, over 200 pistes and over 150km in length.
Ski Season Length
This resort is open from about the end of November to the beginning of May.
In the 2023/34 season, the resort opened on Nov 30th and closed May 1. Remember, the beginning of May is “Golden Week” in Japan, a series of national holiday making one large holiday. If you want to ski in Golden Week, checkout Hakuba 47 and Goryu, too.
Hours of Operation
Open daily from 0800hrs to 1600hrs. Not all lifts open and close that these times so check with the resort website for posted times.
Is Night Skiing Available?
Unfortunately, there is no night skiing planned for the 2024/25 ski season. If you want night skiing, be sure to check out Hakuba Goryu
Snow Park
Happo Parks is a freestyle area in Happo One. Happo Parks is a traditional-style terrain park featuring jumps, rails, boxes, and other park features designed for freestyle skiers and snowboarders. It’s a favorite among those looking to practice tricks and hone their freestyle skills.
The park typically caters to intermediate and advanced riders, but some features may also be accessible to confident beginners. The layout and size of the features vary each season, depending on snow conditions and the park’s design updates. Together, Happo Parks and Happo Banks ensure Happo One provides diverse terrain for freestyle enthusiasts.
Off Piste
Happo One is a paradise for off-piste skiing, offering some of the most exciting and challenging backcountry terrain in Japan. The resort’s location in the Japanese Alps ensures deep powder snow and dramatic alpine landscapes, making it a favorite among advanced skiers and snowboarders seeking untracked lines.
Key Off-Piste Areas in Happo One:
- Happo Ridge and Back Bowls
From the top of the resort, adventurous skiers can access the ridge leading into Happo’s back bowls. These areas offer deep powder runs with steep pitches, tree skiing, and incredible views. Proper avalanche equipment and knowledge are essential here. - Omusubi and Kurobishi
These off-piste zones are popular for their open powder fields and natural terrain features. They’re accessible via the Kurobishi and Skyline lifts, but it’s essential to watch for signage indicating where off-piste skiing is permitted. - Happo North Face
Accessible from the upper lifts, this area includes steep lines and technical terrain, suitable for experienced riders. The North Face offers a true backcountry feel with challenging descents. - Backcountry Touring
Many skiers use Happo One as a gateway to explore the vast backcountry beyond the resort boundaries, including routes to Mt. Hakuba Norikura and Mt. Goryu. These areas offer pristine powder and varied terrain, but they require expertise, proper equipment, and ideally a guide.
Lift Tickets
A peak season 1 day pass for adults will run you Yen 8,000 / day for the 2024/25 season. There are plenty of other options like half day, senior rates, per lift pricing, etc.
Hakuba Happo Onsen
- Location: Near Happo One Ski Resort.
- Highlights: This onsen features high-quality alkaline waters renowned for leaving your skin feeling smooth and refreshed. It has several facilities, including public baths like Happo-no-Yu and Obinata-no-Yu, offering traditional indoor baths and outdoor rotenburo with mountain views.
- Best for: Skiers at Happo One looking for convenience and rejuvenation.
Rentals
There is large choice of ski and snowboard rentals both on and off the mountain. Snow wear is also readily available. High end equipment is also available. If you want the best prices, you can reserve online and before the season starts at many shops. Here is just a hand full of the more popular places:
- Spicy – https://spicy.co.jp/en/ Have locations in Echoland, base of Happo One, Wadano, Iwatake, and Tsugaike
- Rythm – https://www.rhythmjapan.com/locations/#location-hakuba – Locations at Wadano and 2 at Happo One.
- Central Snowsports – https://centralsnowsports.com.au/ – They have three stores servicing the Hakuba Valley
- Woody Rental – https://rentalshop-woody.jp/shop – They have four locations in Hakuba
Hakuba Happo One Ski Map
Videos from Hakuba Happo One
- Beginner: 6 runs over 7.7 km
- Intermediate: 5 runs over 3.5 km
- Expert: 3 runs over 2.1 km
- Beginner: 10 runs over 7.6 km
- Intermediate: 11 runs over 7 km
- Expert: 11 runs over 6.1 km
- Beginner: 6 runs over 3.6 km
- Intermediate: 8 runs over 5.4 km
- Expert: 2 runs over 1.4 km
Ski Resorts Near Hakuba Happo One
There are a total of 10 resorts within 25 km from this resort.
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Hakuba Iwatake is 3km away!
Hakuba Goryu is 3.9km away!
Learn about how freshsnow.jp calculates the distance between ski resorts here.