Hakba Happo One | Hakuba, Nagano

Hakuba Happo One ski resort (often simply known as Happo-one or Happo) is a large-scale ski resort which is located in Hakuba village in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture. Happo-one is located on the eastern slopes of Mt Karamatsu and is one of the largest individual (stand-alone) ski resorts in Japan. It has 220 hectare terrain, 23 lifts and 1,071 meters elevation difference. It is also well known as a venue for the 1998 Winter Olympics slalom and downhill races, as well as the ski jumping. Because of the increasing numbers of foreign visitors, the atmosphere of the Happo-one is becoming increasingly international year by year. Consequently, the number of international restaurants and ski schools that speak English is also increasing.

Happo One has a variety of courses which are suitable for intermediate to advanced skiers. The ski area is narrow at the top and spread to 4 base areas, Nakiyama, Shirakaba, Kokusai, Sakka. Sakka has a nice slope for beginners and kids park, Nakiyama and Shirakaba has many comfortable slopes for intermediates, and Kokusai has a lot of advanced courses. The top of the Happo ski resort is the highest in the Hakuba ski area and has a lot of snow fall. At the upper part of the resort you can often enjoy amazing deep fresh powder snow. Since a number of high-speed lifts including gondola lift "Adam" are well laid out in the large ski resort, it allows you to ski efficiently.

The one of the highlight of the Happo One is majestic views of the Japanese Alps. Especially from the peaks of the resort (1831m) you can see famous big mountains, such as Mt.Shirouma, Mt.Shakushi ,Mt.Goyu, Mt.Kashimayari etc.. At the peak of ski resort there is Happo-ike mountain lodge which has a function as a gateway to the alpine zone for mountain climbing. So called Happo North Faces, which is the highly famed alpine back country point with steep bowls and gnarly lines that sits above and behind the ski resort. It is required to submit mountain climbing registrations and equip special tools such as avalanche gears to enter the back country area from there.

The elevation of the Happo-One's peak is 1831m, which is the highest in the Hakuba area. The upper part of Happo-One is over the tree line (forest limit) in the so called sub-alpine area, unlike most of the other resorts that are below the tree line. This higher elevation produces heavy snowfall and better quality powder snow. Especially on the north side of the ski resort there are several popular off-piste slopes, such as Kurobishi, Ura-kuro, Skyline etc. .We will introduce recommended off-piste slopes of Happo-one as below.

Riesen Grat course is located on the peaks of the ski resort (1831m). The start of slope is gentle and after middle section it become steep. Normally on the skier's left powder snow is remained as un-groomed. We recommend you to muster the high speed at the upper section and drop into the widely spread off piste terrain keeping enough speed to float in the powder snow. Because this course is at the top of the ski resort, the operation of the lift often stops under the influence of the strong wind. After enjoying this course, you can directly go to the Kurobishi slope which is also famous for off-piste in Happo-one.

Urakuro off-piste is specially designated area on the north side of Kurobishi #3 pair lift. Urakuro's "Ura" stands for "behind" in Japanese. So it means the backside of "Kurobishi slopes" which is the famous steep terrain of Happo-one. This steep terrain requires enough skill and experience. Because it is a north-facing slope around the elevation of 1600m, you can enjoy the finest powder snow. Sometimes you have a chance to ski in the very deep powder snow which reach to the chest of the skier.There are yellow and black poles on the side of the course, they are place marks to identify ski resort and outbound. You must not go out from these marks.Whether to open or close this off-piste course depend on a patrol's decision.

Skyline course consists of on-piste part in the center of the slope and off-piste on the skier's reight next to Skyline lift. You can enjoy deep fresh powder snow after heavy snow fall in this off-piste. You can repeat enjoy this course utilizing the Skyline pair lift No2.

The Omusubi is in 2018-19 season newly opened designated area. It is located from Skyline course through to Panorama course. Since the shape of the slope is triangle and it looks like a Japanese rice ball, it is called "Omusubi" which stands for rice ball in Japanese. Upper part of the slope is open steep slope with more than 30 degrees. You can enjoy high speed riding in the deep powder snow. As you glide into the mid-area, you will find many natural kickers and enjoy the wild terrain. At the end section you can enjoy tree-run. This slope has three exits and you are required to exit from them, otherwise it is difficult to get out of this off-piste slope. This is why carefully routing is required. We can say this off-piste slope is only for expert.Whether to open or close this off-piste course depend on a patrol's decision.

Tenbo course is in 2019-20 newly opened off-piste course which is located beisde of Usagidaira slope. It starts from near the Nagano Olympic Men's SG Start House. You can enjoy roughly 37 deree steep off-piste enjoyng beautiful view. "Tenbo" stands for "panoramic view" in Japanese.

Happo one's on-piste courses also attract many skiers from all over the world. It has a lot of famous long curuising course and nice slopes for training. We will introduce recommended on-piste course of Happo-one as follows.

Risen Slalom course is the most famous course in the Happo-one and it is said that this course is a symbol of Happo-one. It is the long run with 3,050m length and 800m vertical difference. High speed long carved turn can be traced across the broad, long, perfectly groomed slope, especially in the early morning during a less skier time. This course is mainly aimed at advanced or upper intermediate skiers with maximum 30 degrees, but it’s definitely easier to ski than the other advanced courses because it’s so wide. We believe intermediates can also enjoy. On Saturday and Sunday in January and February, Sunrise ski(early morning ski) is available which start from 6:30 without any extra fee.

Panorama course is one of the most popular intermediate course which is located in the center of Happo-one. It is directly accessible from the Gondola station and perfect for the first warm up run after exiting from the gondola. The average 16 degree slope with high quality snow is suitable for carving turn practice. You can repeat to ski on this course for the practice utilizing Kokusai pair lift No.2.

Skyline course connects from Kurobishi slope all the way down to the Sakka base area. Since it is the course faced north, the quality of snow is kept longer compared to other courses. Overall, this course is smooth and moderate. Intermediate to expert skiers can enjoy comfortable long cruising, enjoying the majestic mountain view. We can say this long course is easier than Risen slalom course which is also famous long cruising course. After a heavy snowfall, in this course you can also enjoy deep powder run, especially at the skier’s right next to the Skyline lift.

The most popular route from Tokyo to Happo One in Hakuba is a combination of hig speed train and bus via Nagano station. The high speed train (Hokuriku Shinkansen) from Tokyo to Nagano takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes at a cost of JPY 8340 for reserved seats, which is followed by a 80 minute bus ride to Happo One. The total journey time from Tokyo to the Happo One is around three to three and a half hours, including the time to change from high speed trainto bus. Direct bus from Narita airport is also available. It takes around 6 hours.