Five Best Ski Runs In Hakuba Valley
The Hakuba Valley is an area of Japan renowned for world-class skiing and snowboarding. Blessed with an average of 12m of snow per winter, it is no wonder that people flock from around the globe to experience Japanese powder conditions. In this post I share the five best ski runs in the Hakuba Valley.
With ten resorts included on one pass there is an expanse of terrain to choose from when heading to Hakuba. This means whittling all the options down to a list of the five best runs possible in Hakuba was a hard task. This list is based on my experience of snowboarding in Hakuba in Jan-Feb 2019 and my fondest memories of the trip. The runs I have selected are varied and I will fully explain my reasoning below.
5. TSUGAIKE DBD GATE 3
Tsugaike is nicknamed ‘powder heaven’ and this should tell you all you need to know. Geographically it is close to Hakuba Cortina but it doesn’t draw the same crowds despite receiving similar amounts of snow. This is most likely down to the restriction on tree riding at Tsugaike, requiring you to take a course to enter to the tree areas or DBD. There are four main gates into the Tsugaike DBD area and I enjoyed the lines through Gate 3 the most. Gate 3 provides a longer run than Gate 1 with a steeper incline but the same well spaced trees!
4. HAKUBA 47 TERRAIN PARK
When you think of a Japanese snowboard trip heading to the terrain park is not what comes to mind. Sadly not every day can be a powder day and Hakuba 47 offers another option to keep you entertained during your trip to Hakuba. The terrain park at Hakuba 47 is in my opinion the best in Hakuba. The layout is great with its own (fairly slow) chairlift, making park laps a fairly simple task. Hakuba 47 has Hakuba’s only half pipe at the top of the park which leads down to a choice of lines. Skiers and snowboarders can choose between simple ride-on boxes to large kickers and more advanced rail features.
3. CORTINA CHAIR 5 TREE RUN
Cortina was bound to feature in this list and it does twice, but the run from the number 5 chairlift might be a surprise entry to some. This is where I found some of my best and less contested turns in Cortina. With the crowds that flock to Cortina if you want to make the most of it you need to get away from the crowds. Number 4 chairlift accesses some great terrain but you can expect a 40 minute lift cue on a busy day. With this in mind the trees that are accessible from Number 5 chairlift are a great option. My advice is from the top of the chairlift go left, take a short traverse and then drop in. Most skiers and snowboarders go right of the chair meaning you can find untracked lines well into the afternoon. Whatever chairlift you use at Cortina will lead to widely spaced trees and copious amounts of JAPOW! Taking chairlift number 5 just means you don’t need to share.
2. SANOSAKA LAKE DOWN TRAIL
Sometimes good things come in small packages and Sanosaka is a prime example. Making the list at number two is my favourite non-powder day run in Hakuba, Lake Down Trail. It blows my mind how quiet this resort is and you can have the groomers to yourself all day. Lake down trail is a wide blue run offering great views of Lake Aoki. Stood at the top you have the option to take the groomed piste or go to skiers right where there is a pump track… as the run mellows out towards the chairlift, you will also find some small park features. This means in one run you can; take in a great view, carve a groomer, build up speed on the pump track, hit a jump, slide a rail and then head up for some more…. oh did I mention dogs are allowed? So be sure to keep an eye out for a furry friend.
1. CORTINA TO NORIKURA BACKCOUNTRY RUN
Hakuba Cortina not only has no restrictions on where you can tree ride but it is also linked to neighbouring resort Norikura Onsen Ski Resort. From the top of number 4 chairlift at Cortina, you can access a backcountry run that takes you between the two resorts and this was a highlight of my days at Cortina. As soon as you drop in you are met with perfectly spaced trees and a steep incline that make face shots a regular occurrence. The amount of snow combined with the terrain makes this a run I have not found elsewhere on my snowboard travels. You will want to gradually ride towards skiers left as this will take you towards Norikura resort where you will be able to head back up and do it all again.
