Superb!4.8 / 5Jun 01, 2018
Gary G. advanced skier
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Learn more about Happo One
Pros
- Lots of terrain variety including Olympic race trails
- Happo Village has everything you need
- Easily accessible from most resort accommodation
Cons
- Slopes can get very busy on weekends and holidays
Overall
With Olympic heritage, a mammoth 26,250 ft top to bottom run, and some of the finest powder on earth, Happo One (pronounced oh-neh) is without a doubt the most popular of all the Hakuba Valley ski resorts. The official resort numbers state that the ski area covers a total of 543 ac, but this doesn’t factor in the extensive side country between the runs, which provides the perfect introduction to riding powder for skiers and snowboarders who are ready to go off-piste! Enjoying a healthy 3,514 ft of vertical drop and the steepest slope coming in at 35 degrees, it’s by far the best choice in Hakuba for advanced mountain riders. With all this and much more, Happo One quite rightly earns its status as one of the best ski resorts on the main Japanese island of Honshu!
Best month to go
Late December to April
The slopes at Happo One open as soon as the snow starts falling here, which can happen by late November! From then on it just keeps coming, with January and February the prime months for powder days. By March things start warming up a bit, with more blue bird days than white outs, but generally the ski season doesn’t completely wind up until the first week of May! Visit anytime time between Christmas and April and you’re pretty much guaranteed top quality, fluffy, soft snow, but there are a few dates you might want to avoid. The Christmas and New Year holidays, along with the Chinese New Year, are certain to have the resort working at full capacity. Also, weekends, especially after a big dump, can see the pistes get packed. When picking your dates, it’s worth noting that from around December 20th to the end of February, accommodation in Happo One and Hakuba in general, will charge peak season prices. Any time before and after those dates could see you save up to 20% off your accommodation costs!
FLY TO
Narita International Airport
BUS TO
Hakuba Valley (5-6 hours)
DRIVE TO
Happo One (10 minutes)
Happo Village (Walk)
- Made up of two base areas: Nakiyama and Shirakaba
- Majority of dining, shopping and amenities
- Ski-in/ski-out accommodation available
Wadano Area (Walk)
- Close to Kokusai base area
- Slightly more expensive lodging
- Dining and nightlife is more spread out compared to Happo Village
Sakka Base (Walk)
- Clusters of lodges and chalets
- Perfect for families and big groups
- Great food trucks
Hakuba Village (1-2 mi)
- Plenty of accommodation options
- Main tourist hub like Happo Village
- Great base for exploring resorts across Hakuba Valley
For beginners
There's not a huge variety of terrain for beginners to explore in Happo One but that doesn't mean beginners can't have fun here! The gentle and wide open slopes at the Sakka ski area is best for never-evers and also doubles as a great family skiing spot. Beginners with a bit more experience can head further up the mountain.
More beginners tipsFor intermediates
There's plenty of challenging terrain for intermediates higher up on the mountain but our top pick here for intermediates would be the Skyline Course. It has everything from bumps to bounce through, banks to launch off and deep pow between the trees in the sidecountry, our top pick here!
More intermediates tipsFor experts
It was right here that the ski jumping, downhill, and super-g slalom events of the Nagano 1998 Winter Olympics were held! You can still ski the downhill and slalom courses to unleash the inner racer in you, and the annual Riesen Slalom Competition gives you exclusive access to the famous course. Take the Riesen Grat Course followed by the Riesen Slalom Course from the summit all the way down to the base. There's also plenty more to keep advanced skiers on their toes!
More experts tipsFind freshies
When it comes to sheer quantity of the white stuff, Happo One (and Hakuba in general) is trumped by Japanese ski resorts like Niseko on the northern island of Hokkaido, though not by much. The same sub-zero Siberian winds blow across the Sea of Japan, picking up moisture and transforming it into magically soft snow. The average annual snowfall here is 36 ft, so there's still plenty to be happy about here! In-bound freshies get tracked out quickly so make your way to the top of the Kurobishi off-piste zone for the fresh stuff before weaving through the powder-filled trees off the Skyline Course!
Ditch the crowds
Go off-piste to avoid the crowds on holidays and weekends. The backcountry is easily accessible via a gate at the top but it's definitely worth hiring a guide who can show you to the gnarliest gullies! In-bounds, there are two crowd-prone sections to be aware of. Adam Gondola is the main gondola which gives access to the top section of the mountain which can get quite busy in the morning. The Panorama and Kokusai chairlifts can also see some queues as it also serves a busy area of the mountain. Nonetheless, the lift system seems most skiers and snowboarders moving despite the some old and slow chairlifts.
Non skiers
Non skiers (and skiers) will love the activities here! Take a daytrip to Mastumoto Castle, the oldest castle in Japan. You can also hop into an onsen (hot spring) or see snow monkey's soak in their own hot spring at the Jigokudani Monkey Park. At the resort, non-skiers can take the gondola up to enjoy the stunning mountain views of Hakuba Valley.
Families
When it comes to skiing, it's easy for families to ski and stay together at the Sakka ski area plus there's also the Sakka Kids Park here too. For lodging, Happo Village has a range of accommodation, shops, bars, restaurants as well as facilities including the Information Center and Bus Terminal, making it a convenient option for families.
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Happo One Reviews
Gary G. Very Good!4.1 / 5May 01, 2018
Blair M. advanced skier
Good!3.8 / 5Jan 22, 2018
AGAshley G.
We had a great time at the Mominoki Hotel, it was close enough to the resort to walk (but definitely not ski in ski out), had a great onsen. Happo One is a great resort with one of the best terrain parks I've seen in Japan. On the bluebird days the views are amazing. I feel like the Hakuba area is a bit too spread out though - some times its hard... Moreadvanced skier
Superb!5 / 5Jan 21, 2018
SCShane C.
H-akuba is by far the best place I have ever snowboarded.
A-nnual snowfall of 10 metres.
K-ick back with a Sake or Asahi at a restaurant on the mountain.
U-ndeniable fun on every run at Happo One.
B-uried in powder everyday while I was there.
A-mazing choice between 9 resorts, 200 runs and 135 lifts.
V-enture off on a day trip to Jigokudani... Moreintermediate snowboarder
Good!3.7 / 5Jan 21, 2018
JSJessi S.
Happo One ski resort is a larger resort. With a great amount of groomed runs, it is perfect for intermediate riders. But, it also has a variety of runs for beginners and advanced skiers and boarders.... Moreintermediate snowboarder
Superb!5 / 5Jan 21, 2018
MWMarcel W.
A very nice skiing resort for more people in a group. Happo One is a skiing resort for everyone, so it is for beginners too expertes. You can ride blue, red or black lines.... Moreadvanced skier
Superb!4.8 / 5Jan 21, 2018
JTJona T.
Happo One offers an unforgettable adventure. Especially if you like riding in the backcountry. The pow is so unbelievable soft and deep an the slopes are amazing. One of my best experiences I made so far!... Moreadvanced skier
Superb!4.7 / 5Dec 27, 2017
CWCharles W.
Happo One is figuratively and literally the heart of a Hakuba ski holiday.
You can ski the same gold medal runs as they did at the 1998 olympics.
Great for all abilities with long wide open terrain and excellent grooming.
Also easy access to advance back country terrain.
Another huge bonus is the easy access by foot from almost anywhere in the... Moreadvanced skier
Good!3.6 / 5Dec 27, 2017
SKSimon K.
Very nice and comfortable location, the rooms are comfortable with great bedding and services, i love the food here as well. The courses are beginner friendly since i am a beginner myself. highly recommend!!... Morebeginner snowboarder
Superb!4.9 / 5Dec 27, 2017
HWHarold W.
This mountain has it all extreme speedrun verticals, beginner tree runs and a north face full of off piste powder bowls. Has to be one of the best resorts I have been and I would love to return and share a new experience with a friend.... Moreexpert snowboarder