Norikura Onsen Ski Resort Guide
Norikura or Norikura Onsen Ski Resort is one of the ten resorts included on the Hakuba Valley ski pass. Much less westernised than other ski resorts in the valley, Norikura feels a world away from Hakuba Village. You will not find any large chain rental shops or bustling restaurants at Norikura but you will discover an authentic Japanese skiing experience. Much quieter than the resorts of Happo or Goryu, it can feel like you have the resort to yourself which is always an incredible feeling.
HAKUBA NORIKURA ONSEN FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Arriving at Norikura feels a little different to arriving at the other Hakuba Valley resorts. To start with, if you are taking the free Hakuba Valley shuttle buses you will notice that most people stay on the bus and head to the neighbouring Hakuba Cortina ski resort. It is a strange feeling to arrive somewhere with a bus of 50 people and be the only person to get off! Once off the bus, you will not notice any major infrastructure other than the hotels at the base of the resort. You will walk straight off the bus and onto the chairlifts!
The second thing that was noticeable was the lack of crowds at Norikura. The majority of skiers and snowboarders appeared to be Japanese and I could count the western visitors I noticed on one hand. Once away from the base area which has some mellow beginner slopes, don’t expect lift lines because there aren’t any.
HAKUBA NORIKURA ONSEN SKI AREA
Similar to most of the resorts in Hakuba you will not find a particularly large ski area at Norikura. With only 500m of vertical drop 1300m-800m and 14 trails, it’s a good job that Norikura is linked to its neighbour resort Cortina. The link to Cortina adds an additional 16 runs to the Norikura ski area which should be enough to keep most people occupied for a week of skiing or snowboarding, especially when you consider the amount of snow these resorts receive.
There is nothing particularly challenging about the terrain on the Norikura Onsen side with perhaps the most challenge to be found in the trees. The tree riding at Norikura is similar to Cortina in that it is open with skiers and snowboarders taking responsibility for their own riding in these areas. With 80% of the terrain marked as beginner or intermediate, those looking for a challenge should take the connecting lifts over to Hakuba Cortina where the runs are steeper. For those staying on the Norikura side, you will face less competition for your turns.
FREESTYLE TERRAIN NORIKURA ONSEN SKI RESORT
The ski area at Hakuba Norikura has a terrain park which features a good-sized half pipe. You will also find a border cross course and freestyle moguls set up. The freestyle terrain at Hakuba Norikura Onsen is minimal and if freestyle is your main interest you should consider visiting Hakuba 47 ski area.
BEGINNERS TERRAIN NORIKURA ONSEN SKI RESORT
If you are a beginner you will find that Norikura is a great place to learn and to have easy progression. There are some nice mellow runs just opposite the Hakuba Alps Hotel, near the bus stop, accessible from lift 1. Similarly, the green trail beneath the No. 6 chair will be enjoyable for beginners. A real perk of skiing or snowboarding at Norikura as a beginner is the lack of crowds. The runs at Norikura allow plenty of space to practice your turns without worrying about crashing into other skiers.
INTERMEDIATE TERRAIN NORIKURA ONSEN SKI RESORT
Norikura Onsen ski resort is great for intermediates looking to take their first steps into tree skiing. The tree runs here are widely spaced and lack the steepness found at neighbouring resorts. This combination makes tree skiing here less worrying and more enjoyable. Partner this with the copious amounts of snow received at Hakuba Norikura and this could be the perfect intermediate powder playground.
ADVANCED TERRAIN NORIKURA ONSEN SKI RESORT
The aptly named Expert course at Norikura is one of the few black trails on offer within the bounds of the resort. Just like other black ski trails at Norikura Onsen, the Expert Course is short and over in a flash. A real treat for expert skiers is the backcountry run between Hakuba Cortina and Norikura. This route can be lapped starting in Cortina and finishing at Norikura Onsen.
The nice thing about off-piste skiing at Norikura and the neighbouring Cortina ski resort is the lack of restrictions. A number of ski resorts in the Hakuba Valley require you to attend safety briefings (Tsugaike Kogen) or to register with ski patrol (Hakuba 47). This can be a bit… over the top when you compare the terrain you can access at European resorts without restrictions. The freedom to ski in the tree areas at Norikura and Cortina is perfect, especially on a powder day! Just be careful as the amounts of snow you will encounter is probably much more than you are used to!
LIFTS AT NORIKURA ONSEN SKI RESORT
In what seems commonplace for Japanese ski resorts, Norikura has nearly as many lifts as trails. The nine total chairlifts are fairly basic and run at a mild speed without being overly slow. I guess the low vertical means you don’t spend too long riding the chairs.
No.3 and No.5 Pair lifts will offer the most challenge at Norikura Ski Resort. These chairs access the steeper terrain in the resort. Beginners will enjoy the terrain under the No.6 chair which offers mellow green ski trails back to the base area.
SNOW RECORD AT NORIKURA ONSEN SKI RESORT
The ski resort of Hakuba Norikura is situated to the North of the Hakuba Village close to Hakuba Cortina and Tsugaike Kogen. This end of the Hakuba Valley is best known for receiving the most snowfall and makes it the place to go for powder turns. If you are an experienced skier or snowboarder you should make the most of the linked ski pass that Norikura shares with Hakuba Cortina as this will allow you to make the most of the great tree skiing in the area.
NORIKURA PISTE MAP
SEASON DATES
The ski seasons at Hakuba Norikura typically runs between December and April with the best skiing found between the end of January and the end of February. It is during this period that Norikura receives massive amounts of snow fall. There is a reason they call it “Japanuary”.
TRAVEL TO NORIKURA
Where is Norikura Onsen
Norikura Onsen ski resort is in-between two of the most popular resorts in the Hakuba Valley. On one side is Tsugaike Kogen ski resort known for its DBD tree skiing area. On the other is Hakuba Cortina, which is close enough to be linked via chairlift to Norikura Onsen. This part of the Hakuba Valley receives the most amount of snow and it is here you will want to head for the best Japanese powder skiing.
How to get to Hakuba Norikura
Free shuttle buses run to Norikura via Tsugaike and Iwatake ski resorts. The buses do not run very frequently so you will have to check the most up-to-date timetable. On your way back to Hakuba village the bus will leave Cortina before reaching Norikura which can mean that seats are few and far between. The drivers try to save seats on a busy day.
NORIKURA ONSEN ACCOMMODATION
If you wanted a more relaxed feel for your Hakuba holiday you could base yourself in Norikura. The Hakuba Alps Hotel is at the base of the slopes and would represent a good ski-in ski-out option. Alternatively, there is lots of accommodation options in Hakuba village and really depends on your preferences and budget. I stayed in a guesthouse which was fairly basic but provided a space to cook, wash and sleep.
NORIKURA PROS
Norikura Onsens main selling point for me would be the lack of crowds. There is less waiting in line, less competition for first tracks and more room on the pistes.
Being a linked ski area Norikura and Cortina combine to make one of the larger ski areas in the Hakuba valley. This means there is more terrain to keep you occupied without having to repeat the same runs.
The backcountry run between Hakuba Cortina and Norikura Onsen ranked number 1 in my Five Best Runs Hakuba Valley
The resorts of Tsugaike, Norikura and Cortina receive larger amounts of snow than the other Hakuba Valley ski resorts.
Free shuttles are available to Norikura Onsen Ski resort from the Happo Bus Terminal
NORIKURA CONS
Although free shuttle buses do connect Norikura to Happo Bus Terminal and the other Hakuba resorts, they do not run as frequently. This can make inter-resort travel a little tiresome.
No major challenge for advanced skiers or snowboarders meaning you could find yourself repeating certain runs.
NORIKURA VIDEOS
NORIKURA ONSEN FINAL THOUGHTS
Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort was great to visit for its more relaxed vibe and I found myself visiting the combined Cortina-Norikura ski area multiple times throughout my trip. Although by staying on the Norikura side you may sacrifice some challenge, I do feel it’s worth it for less competition for fresh snow.
