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Forecast today: Generally clear
- Max temp: 18.4 °c
- Min temp: 8.1 °c
Ski Club offerings
Freshtracks holiday
Check out the Ski Club’s holidays available in this resort
Niseko might have better powder, but the Hakuba Valley gets more than its fair share
which is great news if you’re planning a trip to ski at its three main ski areas. Happo-One is the largest of these, covering 52km of pistes, including the 1998 Olympic ski racing pistes. Hakuba 47/Goryu is around half the size but a fun ski area and Iwatake has access to 50km of further slopes, but a much smaller vertical. Traditional guesthouses are the order of the day in terms of accommodation and as you might expect, the food is fantastic and there are numerous hot spring onsens to unwind in at the end of the ski day.
Beginner
Fast lifts- Intermediate
- Resort Activities
Advanced- Aprés
Snow- Value
Pros and cons
- Fantastic variety in the valley with 10 ski areas
- Great snow record and access to some of Japan’s best powder
- Authentic Japanese experience and great food
- Language barrier can be an issue
- Driving between ski areas is required and this can be tricky in snow
- Off piste skiing is very heavily regulated, hire a guide for the best access
On the Slopes
All of the ski areas have options for beginners and intermediates, but the plentiful snowfall means that most will want to be confident skiing powder before heading half way around the world to go skiing. This also means you will make the most of the Japanese Alps’ epic terrain and big vertical.
For advanced and expert skiers and boarders, the tree skiing here is second to none. Hiring a mountain guide and carrying a pair of touring skins will make a big difference, but within the ski resorts there are some good inbound areas.
In particular the Hikage zone at Iwatake, the open bowls at the top of Hakuba 47/Goryu and the Kurobishi off piste area at Happo-One.
In the Resort
We’d recommend basing yourself in Hakuba itself rather than at one of the resorts as this will give you the freedom to travel around. The town of Hakuba has a great atmosphere with a wide range of bars and restaurants. There are good western options but the main attractions are the excellent Japanese food and izakayas (Japanese bars).
By far the best way to unwind after a day on the hill is in a traditional Japanese onsen – these are littered throughout the valley so don’t worry about finding one!
Getting to Hakuba
- Tokyo airport: 2.5-3 hours
Season Dates
- Opens: Late November (TBD)
- Closes: Early May (TBD)
Resort holidays
Hakuba / Nozawa Onsen 
Hakuba PDFTop (1831m)
| Sun 17 Nov | Mon 18 Nov | Tue 19 Nov | Wed 20 Nov | Thu 21 Nov | Fri 22 Nov | Sat 23 Nov | Sun 24 Nov | Mon 25 Nov | Tue 26 Nov | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Generally clear |
 Light rain |
 Rain | Light drizzle |
 Rather cloudy |
Partly cloudy | Generally clear |
Partly cloudy |
Ice pellets | Light rain |
Rain |
Light rain | Generally clear |
Generally clear |
 Clear skies | Generally clear |
 Light rain/snow |
Light rain/snow | Generally clear |
Generally clear |
Mainly fair | Generally clear |
Generally clear |
Mainly fair | Mainly fair |
Partly cloudy |
Partly cloudy | Broken clouds |
Occasional rain |
Occasional rain |
| Wind |  |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0.1 cm | 0.4 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 17°c | 15.6°c | 8.6°c | 5.8°c | 2.1°c | -2.2°c | 2.8°c | 2.8°c | 0.4°c | 3.9°c | 3.8°c | 2.1°c | 6.5°c | 6.1°c | 0.1°c | 6.9°c | 5.4°c | 0.4°c | 2.6°c | 1.8°c | -3.8°c | 2.6°c | 2.2°c | -3.4°c | 4.5°c | 4°c | -1.8°c | 6.6°c | 6.1°c | 2.5°c |
| Min temp | 14°c | 8.6°c | 3.8°c | 2.1°c | -2.2°c | -4.2°c | -1.1°c | -1.9°c | -1.5°c | 3.2°c | 2.1°c | 1.9°c | 3.6°c | 0.1°c | -0.9°c | 4.5°c | 0.4°c | -1.4°c | 0.8°c | -3.8°c | -4°c | 0.1°c | -3.5°c | -3.6°c | 1.1°c | -2.1°c | -2.1°c | 3.6°c | 1.9°c | 1.9°c |
| Feels like temp | 14.2°c | 15.8°c | 7.5°c | 0.6°c | -1.2°c | -5.1°c | -4.1°c | 2.5°c | -1.5°c | 3°c | 3.6°c | 2°c | 3.4°c | 4.4°c | 0.1°c | 2.3°c | 2.4°c | -2.3°c | -2.1°c | -1.7°c | -3.8°c | -2.7°c | -0.6°c | -3.5°c | 1°c | 3.6°c | -2.1°c | 3.2°c | 5.6°c | 1.8°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Generally clear |
Light rain |
Rain |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 17°c | 15.6°c | 8.6°c |
| Min temp | 14°c | 8.6°c | 3.8°c |
| Feels like temp | 14.2°c | 15.8°c | 7.5°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Light drizzle |
Rather cloudy |
Partly cloudy |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 5.8°c | 2.1°c | -2.2°c |
| Min temp | 2.1°c | -2.2°c | -4.2°c |
| Feels like temp | 0.6°c | -1.2°c | -5.1°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Generally clear |
Partly cloudy |
Ice pellets |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0.1 cm | 0.4 cm |
| Max temp | 2.8°c | 2.8°c | 0.4°c |
| Min temp | -1.1°c | -1.9°c | -1.5°c |
| Feels like temp | -4.1°c | 2.5°c | -1.5°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Light rain |
Rain |
Light rain |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 3.9°c | 3.8°c | 2.1°c |
| Min temp | 3.2°c | 2.1°c | 1.9°c |
| Feels like temp | 3°c | 3.6°c | 2°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Generally clear |
Generally clear |
Clear skies |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 6.5°c | 6.1°c | 0.1°c |
| Min temp | 3.6°c | 0.1°c | -0.9°c |
| Feels like temp | 3.4°c | 4.4°c | 0.1°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Generally clear |
Light rain/snow |
Light rain/snow |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 6.9°c | 5.4°c | 0.4°c |
| Min temp | 4.5°c | 0.4°c | -1.4°c |
| Feels like temp | 2.3°c | 2.4°c | -2.3°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Generally clear |
Generally clear |
Mainly fair |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 2.6°c | 1.8°c | -3.8°c |
| Min temp | 0.8°c | -3.8°c | -4°c |
| Feels like temp | -2.1°c | -1.7°c | -3.8°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Generally clear |
Generally clear |
Mainly fair |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 2.6°c | 2.2°c | -3.4°c |
| Min temp | 0.1°c | -3.5°c | -3.6°c |
| Feels like temp | -2.7°c | -0.6°c | -3.5°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Mainly fair |
Partly cloudy |
Partly cloudy |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 4.5°c | 4°c | -1.8°c |
| Min temp | 1.1°c | -2.1°c | -2.1°c |
| Feels like temp | 1°c | 3.6°c | -2.1°c |
Resort (750m)
| Sun 17 Nov | Mon 18 Nov | Tue 19 Nov | Wed 20 Nov | Thu 21 Nov | Fri 22 Nov | Sat 23 Nov | Sun 24 Nov | Mon 25 Nov | Tue 26 Nov | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Generally clear |
Light drizzle |
Rain | Partly cloudy |
Partly cloudy |
Generally clear | Generally clear |
Partly cloudy |
Occasional rain | Light rain |
Light rain |
Light rain | Generally clear |
Generally clear |
Clear skies | Generally clear |
Light rain/snow |
Mainly fair | Generally clear |
Generally clear |
Generally clear | Generally clear |
Clear skies |
Generally clear | Mainly fair |
Generally clear |
Partly cloudy | Broken clouds |
Rain shower |
Rain shower |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0.1 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 18.4°c | 18.2°c | 13.1°c | 9.4°c | 6.5°c | 2.1°c | 6.9°c | 6.9°c | 3.5°c | 7.6°c | 7.6°c | 6°c | 10.2°c | 10.1°c | 3.1°c | 9.1°c | 8.4°c | 3.9°c | 6°c | 5.6°c | -0.2°c | 6.2°c | 6.1°c | -0.4°c | 7.9°c | 7.8°c | 0.9°c | 9.6°c | 9.6°c | 5.5°c |
| Min temp | 13.6°c | 13.1°c | 8.1°c | 6.5°c | 2.1°c | -0.4°c | 1.2°c | 2.6°c | 2.6°c | 5.4°c | 6°c | 4.8°c | 5.6°c | 3.1°c | 1.2°c | 5.6°c | 3.9°c | 1°c | 3°c | -0.2°c | -1.8°c | 1.8°c | -0.4°c | -1.4°c | 2.6°c | 0.9°c | 0.1°c | 4.5°c | 5.5°c | 4.8°c |
| Feels like temp | 14.1°c | 19.2°c | 13.4°c | 5.3°c | 3.8°c | -0.8°c | -1.2°c | 5°c | 2.4°c | 5.2°c | 7.3°c | 5.8°c | 5.3°c | 8.7°c | 2.9°c | 5.2°c | 5.9°c | 1.6°c | 0.7°c | 2.6°c | -0.2°c | 1.6°c | 3.5°c | -0.4°c | 2.4°c | 6°c | 0.8°c | 4.1°c | 8.2°c | 5.2°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 18.4°c | 18.2°c | 13.1°c |
| Min temp | 13.6°c | 13.1°c | 8.1°c |
| Feels like temp | 14.1°c | 19.2°c | 13.4°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 9.4°c | 6.5°c | 2.1°c |
| Min temp | 6.5°c | 2.1°c | -0.4°c |
| Feels like temp | 5.3°c | 3.8°c | -0.8°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 6.9°c | 6.9°c | 3.5°c |
| Min temp | 1.2°c | 2.6°c | 2.6°c |
| Feels like temp | -1.2°c | 5°c | 2.4°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 7.6°c | 7.6°c | 6°c |
| Min temp | 5.4°c | 6°c | 4.8°c |
| Feels like temp | 5.2°c | 7.3°c | 5.8°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 10.2°c | 10.1°c | 3.1°c |
| Min temp | 5.6°c | 3.1°c | 1.2°c |
| Feels like temp | 5.3°c | 8.7°c | 2.9°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 9.1°c | 8.4°c | 3.9°c |
| Min temp | 5.6°c | 3.9°c | 1°c |
| Feels like temp | 5.2°c | 5.9°c | 1.6°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0.1 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 6°c | 5.6°c | -0.2°c |
| Min temp | 3°c | -0.2°c | -1.8°c |
| Feels like temp | 0.7°c | 2.6°c | -0.2°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 6.2°c | 6.1°c | -0.4°c |
| Min temp | 1.8°c | -0.4°c | -1.4°c |
| Feels like temp | 1.6°c | 3.5°c | -0.4°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 7.9°c | 7.8°c | 0.9°c |
| Min temp | 2.6°c | 0.9°c | 0.1°c |
| Feels like temp | 2.4°c | 6°c | 0.8°c |
Resort Conditions
| Snowfall | Next 3 days | 0.5 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Depths | Upper piste depth | 240 cm |
| Lower piste depth | No information | |
| Snow conditions | Snow quality | No information |
| Lifts | Lifts open | No information |
| Resort opening date | Sun 01 Dec 2024 | |
| Resort closing date | Tue 06 May 2025 |
Japan
Our Snow Overviews are updated bi-weekly between the start of December and early May every season, providing summaries of snowfall, weather, avalanche risk and other noteworthy meteorological events to help you prepare for your skiing holiday. Check back next winter to stay up-to-date on the latest weather happenings in resort.
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