Hakuba Connect Winter 2013 by Snow Connections

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WELCOME TO HAKUBA

ovember 14th 2012 was another day we’ll all remember in Hakuba. Despite forecasts of rain and mere sleet, we received our earliest heavy snowfall for many years. News crews arrived and my Facebook page went crazy with everyone posting photos of the deep snow. For many, including myself, were caught unaware, vehicles still hadn’t changed to winter tyres or snow wipers, toys and bikes were still lying around the yard, trees and bushes hadn’t been tied up for protection, and most importantly, snow blowers hadn’t had a proper service before the exertions of winter. But everyone I spoke to on that day, had a smile on their faces. Why? Well, after a tough winter last year

with the aftereffects of the Tohoku Disaster, this year bookings are up, new real estate developments are being built in the resort, and so many new après-ski bars are opening up that I have lost count. It’s shaping up to be an exciting season! As ever, we’ve tried to fill the magazine with lots of information about Hakuba, including an in-depth report, commemorating the 15th Anniversary of the Nagano Winter Olympics. Find out what went on here during those two weeks of madness. We hope Hakuba Connect helps you make the most of your stay and in turn provides information for you to plan your next visit. Take a copy home with you and show your friends what they are missing! See you on the slopes! SW

Steve Williams Editor

James Robb Contributor

Stewart Adamson Contributor

Contact Information 1606-4 Hokujo, Hakuba, Nagano 399-9301, Japan English Tel: 080-3126-0247 Japanese Tel: 080-3422-9005 Email: magazine@hakubaconnect.com www.hakubaconnect.com Published by Snow Connections

Tereza Foulcher Contributor

Patrick Fux Photographer

Ashish Bose Design

Michael Grove Design

Mikiyo Williams Advertising

Hakuba Connect annual winter visitor guide is free when picked up at distribution points throughout the Hakuba valley. © Snow Connections. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Individual advertisers are solely responsible for the content of advertising material which they submit to us, including ensuring that it complies with relevant legislation. We accept no responsibility for the content of advertising material, including, without limitation, any error omission or inaccuracy therein.

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NOVEMBER November 16 Opening of Hakuba Goryu, Hakuba 47 & Hakuba Happo-one. The earliest in recent years.

DECEMBER December 1 Official opening at some of the ski areas. Priests will bless the good fortune of each ski area. Free hot soup is given out to visitors. December 25 Christmas is not celebrated the same as in Western countries though most hotels and lodges will have Christmas trees up. Did you know that Christmas is KFC’s busiest day? KFC is located at mid-station Tsugaike Kogen.

JANUARY January 1 Wake up with a heavy head? Japanese love to start the New Year’s with a onsen/hot-spring.

January 15 Nozawa Onsen Fire Festival. Buses leave Hakuba in the early evening and return late at night.

FEBRUARY February 2 Happo Bank-The Snow Park- opens at Kita-one. Be the first to get some

man contest. February 8 Hakuba Ski Day 15th Anniversary of the Nagano Winter Olympics. February 10 A week long of festivals kick off with the Yuki Koi (We Love Snow) Festival. The ski jumping

March 7 & 8 67th Riesen Slalom gets underway on Happo-one. The race starts at Usagidaira and finishes at Happo-one ski school.

February 16 Happo-one Fire Festival from 19:30 to 21:30 at Nakiyama base area. Hot wine and free sake. Wrap up well it can get cold. big air this winter. February 8 Iwatake Snow Field thanks Festival. Japanese drums, raffles and a snow-

stadium will be lit up with thousands of candles and illuminations. February 14 Valentines Day! In Japan ladies must give chocolate to their husbands, boyfriends etc. One month later on White Day on March 14, men return a gift of more value.

treasure hunting & fastest soda drinker competition! March 9 Hakuba Goryu Snow Festival. Fireworks, Japanese drums, torch lit skiing. Night skiing is free. Watch out for the dragons!

APRIL April 14 Happo Spring Festival. If you thought the moguls on Happo

were big....well they get even bigger for Happo Super Cup. The race sees Hakuba’s Aiko Uemura, World Cup Gold Medalist, getting high off the bumps.

MAY May 6 Final day of the winter season. That’s 174 days of skiing & riding. How many days did you manage?

February 23 Tsugaike Kogen Snow & Ultra Thanksgiving Festival. Bring your skis and ski down with a lit fire torch. Free for everyone!

NEW YEAR’S COUNTDOWN New Years is BIG in Japan and what better way to celebrate then here in Hakuba. Lots of parties and firework displays.

MARCH March 9-10 Hakuba 47. Staff will be dressed up in different costumes. Games include

March 2 Snow Splash in Hakuba! Don’t miss the big season music finale. Enjoy a big night of sound at The Pub in Wadano.

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SNOW LIFE T

his winter marks the centenary of skiing here in Hakuba. Major Elder von Lerch is credited with bringing skiing to Japan in 1911 and two years later had spread to Hakuba.

The first modern gondola in the area was the “Hakuba Cable” built in 1958 at the site of the current Happo-one Gondola Adam. It reached the Usgadaira slopes and was in operation until 1983. Watch out for special throughout the season.

events

Australian Olympic skier, Steve Lee showing Major Elder von Lerch how times have changed.

VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE

t may came as no surprise to the people living in the mountainous and snowy areas of this country that Japan boasts the most ski areas in the world! Like a loaded buffet table it can be a bit overwhelming to know what to sample with such a variety of slopes on the table. Each area has it’s own “charm point” ; from un-crowded groomers, open glades or fun off-piste terrain. The lure of the fresh turns between the trees beckons them away from the confines of the slopes seems the natural progression as skiers or boarders develops more confidence and technique. To the delight of many, a number of resorts in Japan now allow folks to ride the off-piste areas and forested areas between runs. Those keen souls looking to access some tasty lines in those areas are welcome to join in one of Evergreen’s day excursions to resorts not only within Hakuba but also to the Nagano and Niigata areas as well. Hook up with like-minded powder-seeking people, get kitted out with safety gear and fat skis/boards and with a knowledgeable professional guide to find your own powder perfect moment. www.evergreenhakuba.com

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he World Luxury Hotel Awards is a recognized global organization that provides luxury hotels with recognition for their world class facilities and service excellence.

A CENTURY OF SKIING IN HAKUBA

The first ski club was formed at Happo-one in 1929, three years before the railways arrived in town. Hakuba’s first big downhill ski race was held on a 10km course at Tsugaike in 1939. This golden age of “earn your turns” in Hakuba ended in 1954 when the first ski lift was erected on the Nakiyama slopes of Happo-one. It was 500 meters long and strung between wooden towers.

WINNER 2012 WORLD LUXURY HOTEL AWARD

Over 1000 luxury hotels, lodges, resorts and private islands were nominated to participate in the 2012 competition and the winners were decided by the people that matter the most; international tour operators, travel agents and hotel guests. The voting is based upon service excellence and the World Luxury Hotel Awards focus purely on the highly competitive luxury hotel sector. SHIROUMA-SO, which is a different reading in Chinese characters for Hakuba, stands at the base of Hakuba Happo-one ski resort. It’s a Japanese Ryokan that combines both traditional and modern architecture, resulting in a creative and beautiful design. Being a historical hotel, SHIROUMA-SO boasts traditional Japanese-style architecture and furnishings, including pillars and support beams dating from the Edo Period more than 200 years ago. It is a long standing Onsen Ryokan with big windowed rooms facing the majestic Hakuba mountains, where you can see where you skied today as well as plan the next days fun. The hotel Onsen can be rented out for private bathing. www.shiroumaso.com/english/

THE LAST SAMURAI

amurai; The name conjures up images of ancient castles, fearsome warlords, razor edge katana swords and the Samurai code of honor, Bushido. The art of the Samurai lives on and you can experience it nightly in Hakuba during winter. This year there is a change in the Samurai with Tanida-san taking over from his father, who sadly passed away last year. Like the ancient Samurai the art is still passed down from father to son through the generations. The nightly show, which includes an all you can eat Korean style barbeque dinner, which in itself sounds a must do, features a sword display that will take you back through the ages. Everyone will have a chance to try on Samurai body armor or a beautiful Japanese kimono. You can also try your luck at throwing a real shuriken or Ninja star as they are sometimes known. We are told that Ninja will be making an appearance, of course if you can find them! All children will receive a Samurai present. Now that is something to brag about when they go back to school! Show and dinner every evening in winter. Samurai House is located in the Century Hotel. (See ad on page 58)

INDIAN SUMMER INTER RESORT SERVICES

o one on a ski vacation likes waiting – being that either waiting in a lift line or waiting for public transport. For lift lines then visit a Hakuba ski area on a week day; the lift lines are virtually non-existent. And instead of waiting in the cold for public transport book a ride on the Nagano Snow Shuttle. JHN Travel have been operating shuttles to and from Narita Airport to Hakuba and other Nagano ski resorts for several seasons now. The buses are scheduled for departure from the airport as well as the resort to meet in-coming and out-going flights to Australia. For the 2012-2013 winter season the Nagano Snow Shuttle is starting inter resort services from both the large ski areas of Nozawa Onsen and Shiga Kogen located across the Nagano Valley. Not too far as the crow flies but far enough to consider a door to door service. There is a daily shuttle from Hakuba to both Nozawa Onsen and Shiga Kogen that are timed to run first thing in the morning, so you can still enjoy a full day on the slopes at your destination.

ew to Hakuba this season, Koharu Resort Hotel & Suites bring a touch of elegance to the much sought after area of Wadano-no-Mori. Koharu meaning “Indian Summer” – a period of unseasonably warm weather during the autumn – has been designed in reflection of this striking and vibrant time of year when the chill of approaching winter is temporarily held at bay amidst an explosion of color. They hope to incorporate this warmth into every aspect of their service and thus provide their guests with a genuine and memorable holiday experience.

They will be in operation throughout the year and are based at one of the most accessible gateways to snowsports in Japan. Directly opposite the Sakka ski lifts of Happo One, they are located in one of the most convenient spots in the Hakuba Valley, a stone’s throw from some of the best skiing. Their collection of studios, one-bedroom apartments and villas allow for every group’s needs to be catered for, from large families or groups to couples. Koharu Resort Hotel & Suites has been designed with care and attention and the result is a selection of exquisitely crafted accommodation options where the guests can enjoy the endless activities the local Hakuba area has to offer. www.koharuresorthotel.com

Shuttles leave from Happo Bus terminal and travel via Echoland and Goryu. The service will operate from December 20th until March 10th. Reservations are required, and can be made online up until 48 hours before departure. www.NaganoSnowShuttle.com

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MATE ROCK UPDATE

BECOME A NIGHT RIDER

ew for this season, night lessons at Goryu Ski resort. 2 hour private lessons from 7pm – 9pm are available. With pick up and drop off from your hotel, the night sessions are a perfect way to start off your winter holiday or are a great idea for those who have never experienced sliding under lights. Whether you are an individual or group the price is the same. Maybe you have a day tour planned but still want to get some snow time. You want to brush up your skills so as you can maximise your day time riding hours. Then night riding is a perfect way to maximise your snow holiday time. All ages and abilities can participate in either skiing or snowboarding lessons. With a 6:30pm pick up and a 9:30pm drop off the experience couldn’t be easier. To become a night rider, book a night lesson with Hakuba Snow Sports School by calling Daniel Mee on 080-5357-6420 or by emailing daniel@hakubasnowsprts.com.

Marillen Hotel located adjacent to Happo-one Nakiyama night slope will have night skiing packages available. Clients will be picked up and enjoy skiing and dinner and maybe a drink or two. Hakuba Connect has heard that a really good saxophone player will be playing on some nights! www.hotelmarillen.com

GREEN SEASON

ome and enjoy Hakuba in summer.

For those of you who love Hakuba in the winter there is another side to Hakuba which needs to be seen to be believed. The locals call it the Green Season. As the snow slowly recedes to higher altitude and the winter weather changes to spring sunshine, the cherry blossoms come out, the rivers flow and the landscape begins to change and it’s time to enjoy some other adventures. Adventures and activities which will take your breath away as most of them enable you to take in the beautiful scenery, wildlife and the glorious views. Including; road cycling, mountain biking, hiking, white water rafting, kayaking, canyoning and of course paragliding from the peaks of Hakuba just to name a few. To help you get the best of your Hakuba adventure holiday there are a few excellent businesses in town that offer services to make the most of your time here including Evergreen Outdoor Center, Lion Adventure and Sweet Riders. Of course you could also take it easier by just enjoy the towering alps, take a leisurely stroll or cycle around town, work on your photography skills or even just catch up on a book or two. We look forward to seeing you in Hakuba over the warmer months to try your hand at some of the great adventures on offer. www.hakubaconnect.com/summer

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ate Rock was the charitable festival founded by longterm Australian resident of Japan, Adrian Bell, in response to the earthquake and subsequent tsunami and nuclear accident disasters of March 2011. Adrian organized a concert on the bottom of the slopes at Hakuba 47 Ski Resort with the likes of iconic Australian rock bands as The Angels with Dave Gleeson and Jimmy Barnes. The proceeds of Mate Rock were set aside to fund educational visits for children who were directly affected by the disaster. Mate Rock has so far provided US$250,000 in funds to causes that support children in the affected areas. One of the beneficiaries of the fund has been the village or Iitate, situated in a verdant area of Fukushima that has long boasted a history of agriculture and beef farming. It is also located under 40 kilometers from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. The village had to be evacuated in April 2011 on the advice of the Government authorities. Most families have relocated to other parts of the Fukushima prefecture, and are now living in temporary accommodation, with their children having to attend new schools. Due to the fantastic efforts of the Mate Rock charitable festival, dozens of school children from Iitate Village have been able to enjoy visits to Western Australia. These visits are designed to positively impact the lives of the Japanese youth that were so badly affected by the disaster of 2011.

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at Turin 2006 Japan’s only medal at those games. Four years after Nagano, Japan co-hosted the Soccer World Cup with South Korea, and the consistently improving results for both the men’s and women’s national sides since 2002 contrast strongly with winter sports, where much of Japan’s momentum from Nagano 1998 appears to have been lost. As with the Soccer World Cup, the number of overseas spectators who actually visited the Nagano Olympics was minimal, leaving the games as a missed opportunity in the promotion of inbound tourism. Japan’s domestic skier population in the 1990s was so large that the idea of people coming from overseas probably wasn’t even considered. For us in Hakuba, hosting the Olympic downhill was an honor that gives testimony to the scale and authenticity of Happo-One Ski Resort. For the downhill at the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics, courses had to be specially cut on a local mountain (!) due to the insufficient vertical at existing resorts nearby. That said, we believe Hakuba’s international popularity may have more to do with an increasing general awareness of skiing in Japan and the town’s Japan Alps location rather than with the simple “Olympics venue” label. One of Japan’s major selling points has been the regular and extensive snowfalls that give us soft and fluffy conditions, not the hard and fast pistes used in Olympic competition. Course preparation at the games often involved shoveling away or stamping down the fresh snow most Hakuba skiers like to ride. With the Ski Jump, Snow Harp, and Wing 21, a beautiful theatre/sports complex used for cultural events, the Olympics gave Hakuba some excellent facilities that belie its small, 9000-plus population. For ordinary people, possibly the biggest legacy has been the upgrading of the roads into Hakuba,

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providing much easier access to town for tourists and easier commutes to local cities for Hakuba residents themselves. With ever-declining skier numbers in Japan, this advantage has helped the town retain its market share and remain comparatively strong in the face of what is increasingly cut-throat competition from other ski areas. The past fifteen years have not been kind to the ski industry in Japan, and Japan’s ageing and declining population suggest that recovery will not be easy. Looking back now, the 1998 Nagano Games look increasingly like a zenith for technical, resort-based alpine skiing in Japan. If there is a future, it will be in so-called freestyle and freeriding, both on skis and snowboards. That’s where we think the gold lies in them thar hills.

hen you roll off your last ski run and soak in that hot onsen bath, when the chairlifts and gondolas have come to their quiet halts and the sunset leaves behind a magical pink hue then it’s time for the Hakuba Valley’s army of workers to climb into their big metal beasts. By morning these “piste-groomers” have pushed and tilled the snow on dozens of ski runs into perfect corduroy stripes. It’s not only about the powder in Hakuba as the thrill of carving a fresh groomed slope is one of the most fantastic feelings that can be had on snow. Responsible for its delivery is the resort’s highly skilled grooming team – without them we would all be skiing and boarding on lumps and bumps across the whole of the mountain. The beginner

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and intermediate slopes would have moguls as big as they are on some of the expert runs! If you peer out of your hotel bedroom in the dead of the night then youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll probably glimpse their headlight patterns in the far distance, among a swirl of snow-flurries. The piste-groomers are a nocturnal bunch who work from dusk to dawn. Whilst you and I are sleeping soundly and snuggled in to our duvets away and dreaming of carving runs in the morning, you can bet that they will be out performing tasks such as restoring tired pistes and nudging reserves of snow onto needed areas. Poor or little snow cover can be sometimes unavoidable in some of the more exposed

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areas particularly where prevailing winds can blow the fresh snow away as fast as it falls. The piste groomers know the mountains like the back of their hands (even in the dark!) and so they get to know where to find snow reserves, whether they be snow drift or where they have nudged snow into more sheltered spots for their later use. As you may imagine, it can get very lonely up on the mountain in the deep of night. Even in daylight, when the visibility suddenly drops, skiers and boarders can quickly lose their bearings becoming disorientated within seconds. The groomer drivers however must know their mountains intimately not just when it is clear but also at night and even in blizzard conditions. This knowledge of the ski area can take a couple of seasons to acquire and there is no substitute for experience. Despite this mountain familiarity, the unexpected can occur and so it is crucial that the groomer drivers keep in constant contact with their control center, with each other via satellite GPS and of course with mobile phones. To keep spirits up the cabs are fitted with hi-fi systems and formidable heaters to ensure they feel comfortable up on the mountain. It can soon become a home from home really! Life is certainly no picnic though and it is hard work fighting fatigue in poor or no visibility, strong winds and white outs. Driving a groomer or snowcat as they are sometimes called is a delicate art. Riding on the wide, metal-bladed tracks means that progress, even on soft snow, tends to feel nerve-jangling firm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; not ideal when the controls are light and amazingly sensitive.

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down otherwise impossibly steep pistes in perfect safety. Yes, that’s how they do it. Next time you are on the mountain, have a look at the top of a steep slope for the cable point or even a tree! Sometimes heavy snowfall in the early mornings does not leave the groomers with enough time to re-groom and gives the false impression that no grooming has occurred. Rest assured the groomers will have been working through the night to ensure the base below is in great condition. Wondering why you ski pass is becoming pricier? Well the groomers aren’t cheap. Each vehicle costs about $300,000 to buy. And with such big engines they can consume at the rate of 250 liters of fuel per vehicle per shift.

The best part of the job for the groomers are the epic sunrises every morning Once an even snow base has been established the real process of grooming begins. Again this requires sensitive and precise handling, with the front blade in minimal contact with the surface, merely flattening it to allow the rotating blades at the rear to whip up the snow before finally smoothing by the heavy serrated

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rubber blade. The end result is that perfectly formed corduroy. Some off the vehicles have a beefy 3.5 tonne winch and around 1000m of steel cable on the top. This is then attached by cable to a secure anchor-point and you can happily wind your way up and

A groomer’s job: • Smoothing out moguls and bumps. • Maintaining snow depth in high traffic areas. • Construction of race courses. • Packing fresh snow. • Making and maintaining features in the terrain parks.

long time ago in Hakuba, there lived a lumberjack and his son. One winter day, as they were gathering some wood, a great blizzard descended upon them. They rushed back to their cabin to wait out the storm. However the snow only got heavier and heavier, and the two fell asleep by the warm fireplace. After some time, the boy was woken by

beautiful, though her eyes made him afraid. She looked at him for a time, then smiled and whispered, "I intended to treat you like the other man, but you have received my favor. I will let you live tonight since you are so young. But if you ever tell anyone, even your own mother, about what you have seen this night, I shall know it and then I will kill you. Remember what I say!"

He answered, "Just before my 20th birthday there was a snow storm and she came to the cabin.”

And with those words she disappeared into the night. The boy rushed to the door, but the Yuki Onna had already gone. The boy shut the door, secured it and fell asleep. The next morning, the boy awoke to find his father's frozen body and wondered if he had really seen the Yuki Onna.

“It was the Yuki Onna!" Oyuki sadly said. "The Yuki Onna must have told you sternly not to speak of this or she would kill you!”

the howling wind. The door of the cabin flew open and snow rushed inside, putting out the fire. At that moment, a beautiful woman with a pure white kimono, jet black hair and seemingly transparent skin appeared with the snow. She went over to the father and breathed frosty air on him. He became white as snow and breathed no more. The son cried out, "You are the Yuki

She immediately stopped and asked, "Where did you see this woman?"

Why do you say this?" He replied, "How do you know this, Oyuki?" She slowly stood up and her kimono and face became freezing white. "It was you... It was you..." he cried.

The young man’s health soon recovered, and as the Yuki Onna had told him, he never spoke about that night. A year passed and winter arrived once more. One snowy night, the young man heard a tapping on the door and he opened it to find a beautiful woman standing outside. "I'm caught in the snow. Is it possible I could stay here tonight?" she asked.

Onna!" He remembered the story of the fearsome woman who comes with the snow to take the lives of people in the night. Having seen her kill his father, the son's body started to tremble. He wanted to run far away, but his body would not move. The Yuki Onna moved ever closer while blowing white air from her mouth. She bent down over him, lower and lower, until her face almost touched his. He saw that she was very

The young man ushered her in and gave her some food. She told him her name was Oyuki and that she had no family. They talked and talked. As time passed, they grew to like each other and eventually they were married. A few years later they had a child.

"That is right. Why did you say that? Now I cannot live with you. If it wasn’t for our child asleep I would kill you" she shrieked.

In Hakuba, another harsh winter came. Snow fell heavily once more in the still of night. The young man looked over at the side of Oyuki's face as she watched their child sleeping on a warm futon. He said, "You know, you remind me of a woman I saw a long time ago. You look just like her."

The door flew open, and Oyuki disappeared into the snow. The young man ran out, but there was no trace of her. Though he searched and searched, the Yuki Onna was never seen again.

He pleaded "Forgive me, Oyuki!" She shook her head. "I will never forget you. Somehow take care of our child. Farewell!"

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stand out. For example Hakuba now has a lively nightlife with new bars and restaurants popping up every season. New tastes and flavours are brought into the village, with Mimi’s restaurant in the Phoenix Hotel combining Australian award wining chefs and the best local produce and the Marillen Hotel and Restaurant contributing traditional European slope side warm lunches to Happo One.

akuba has a long history as a ski resort since the Reverend Walter Weston first conquered the Japanese Alps in the first years of the 20th century, with Happo One, Hakuba’s biggest and most developed mountain consistently voted Japan’s number one resort by the Japanese themselves. Development was slow and steady until the region rode the 80’s skiing boom in Japan that saw resorts popping up left right and centre, which meant at one point Japan had more ski resorts than any other country in the world. Then the 1998 Winter Olympics were held in Hakuba, well and truly putting the area on the map for international tourists, showcasing the big mountains and light dry powder. What does this mean for you? A huge amount was invested into Hakuba in terms of tourism infrastructure, with lots of hotels, restaurants, bars, shops, roads, and everything else that an influx of visitors requires. Now organisations such as Hakuba Hotel Group are taking this one step further by offering full service packages that make holiday bookings so easy. This starts with the booking process; customers can see real time availability online, get a full description of the hotel, its location, get a quote and book and pay without lifting the phone should they so choose. This online system allows customers to book and pay for accommodations ranging from budget beds in a ski lodge to mid range hotels

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to luxury self-contained accommodation. This also helps break down the language and cultural barrier between Western tourists and the local Japanese, which at times can make travel a nerve racking experience. While many travellers believe intermediaries just add to

the cost of their holidays, this is certainly not the case, and these intermediaries provide a valuable link between a broad range of Japanese hotels and international travellers. Many hotels in Japan have traditionally focused on the domestic market, so this brings huge opportunities for further growth for Hakuba as hotels can fill up and more people can enjoy the famous powder snow always on offer in Hakuba. Another natural progression with the growth of Hakuba is the growing level of in-resort services that make a destination

So now any keen skier or snowboarder can simply book and pay for a Japanese ski holiday online with English speaking staff, who communicate directly with Japanese hotel operators, and get an exceptional level of in-resort service. This would lead you to believe you are travelling to a tourist-focused ski resort

with little local culture, but this couldn’t be further from the case. Hakuba manages to maintain its small village feel, along with endless powder runs on offer over 10 ski resorts, ensuring you will scarcely see a lift line during your stay. Now go out and experience everything that Hakuba has to offer! Stay up to date with the snow conditions and activities and nightlife in Hakuba via the Liquid Snow Tours Facebook page, www.facebook.com/liquidsnowtours and for bookings and enquiries see: www.ski-resorts-japan.com.

07:00 Rise and Slide After a good nights sleep itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an early start for a day of excitement in the Hakuba Valley.

07:30 Fuel Up For those staying in hotels, make sure you tuck into a hearty breakfast. If you are staying in an apartment or backpackers, grab a coffee and a bite to eat at one of 24 hour convenience

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stores located around the resort.

08:00 Shuttle Run Today we are off to Hakuba Cortina at the northern end of the valley about 20 to 30 minutes from the main accommodation areas of Hakuba. Take the free shuttle bus. The bus will pass by Iwatake Sowfield and Tsugaike Kogen before reaching Cortina. Check the reverse side of the free Hakuba Map for times.

09:00 Get Ahead

improve you powder skiing or riding.

The line for first tracks can be a little long on powder mornings. The best way to cope is to enjoy a morning coffee at the impressive huge Green Plaza Hotel. Do you think the roof can be seen from space?

12:30 Hungry?

09:30 Powder Time Meet up with the friendly guys and girls from Evergreen Outdoor Center in one of their powder clinics. They will show you where the best stashes of powder are, to

Head back to the Green Plaza Hotel for a delicious hand made pizza. They will give you a pizza base and let you create your own original. A word of warning donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pile the toppings too high!

13:30 Keep Exploring Hakuba Cortina is rightly considered by most to have the ebst tree skking in the valley. The resort

operates this on a self-responsibility code with visitors skiing and riding at their own risk. Please respect the rules and stay out of closed areas. They are closed for a reason.

14:30 Tired Yet? Those who are tired can head down to the hotel once again and relax in the onsen while looking up at the mountains. Hakuba Cortina has a ski-lunch-onsen lift special. Sadly though

this deal wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let you ski the interconnected resort of Hakuba Norikura.

16:00 All Aboard The shuttle bus back to the hotel is a great time to those 40 winks in. Make sure you let the driver know your accommodation.

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16:30 Revitalize After all the exhilaration, it is time to give your body a wellearned rest. Chill out in one of the many onsens around the resort or get a massage to rejuvenate those tired muscles. See page 47 for more details.

17:30 Happy Hour Raise a glass to the days adventures at

Uncle Steven’s Mexican restaurant in Happo Village. They have lots of different beers, cocktails and snacks to get you in the party mood.

18:00 Shogun Located a minute or so from Uncle Steven’s inside the Century Hotel is Samurai House. Here you can enjoy an evening of excitement with Tanida –san as he shows the art of Samurai swords-

manship. All you can eat Korean BBQ food make the evening a memorable experience (see ad on page 58)

20:00 Climb the ladder Hashi-go means ladder or pub crawl in Japanese. Three bars in Happo, The Yohei Club, Jacks Bar and The Beach Bar, have got together to introduce Hashi-go. Get your ladder stamped at each bar in order to qualify for a free drink.

22:00 Genki-go From Hashi-go to Genki-go!! Genki means to be in good spirits and it’s time to sample a few spirits too! Take a ride on the evening Genki-go shuttle bus over to the après ski capital of Hakuba, Echoland.

22:10 Fine Wines First stop is the Village Wine Bar inside the White Horse Hotel.

THINGS FOR TOMORROW…

Fondue Snow Tour

Go Snowmobiling

The Pub

Karaoke

Snow shoeing through the forests followed by chocolate fondue and hot spiced wine. (See page 60)

Join Lion Adventure for an excitement packed day of snowmobiling. Beginners to experienced riders can enjoy their full day tours.

The Pub in lower Wadano is huge! It has a Japanese style izakaya pub, steak house and a traditional British Pub with darts, pool table and large plasma TVs.

For those crooners amongst you. Karaoke is available at Bar Plus One, Non Jae and Cherry Pub. Did you know that Karaoke means empty orchestra?

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Plenty of fine wines to sample.

12:45 Last Taxi

23:00 Dance Dance Dance

Taxis in Hakuba stop at 01:00 in the morning. So if you need to get back to your accommodation then make sure you have a taxi waiting for you.

Club Rage is the new name for the refurbished and rebranded Q Tips. Relax on one of the sofas or strut your stuff to the latest sounds from the States. This is après ski at its best.

Call Alps Taxi 0261-72-2221 ………….a time now for a well earned rest and you can start all over again tomorrow.

Night Skiing

Japanese Taiko Drums

Happo-one and Goryu have night skiing every evening in winter. Wrap up well- it can get very cold at night.

Wednesday night at Riki Restaurant on Olympic Road the Salt Road Drummers will be banging away. Enjoy traditional soba dishes. Riki Tel – 0261-85-4311

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he Phoenix Hotel is pleased to present an exciting opportunity to participate in the growth and development of Hakuba, Japan's premier Alpine resort area. Since opening in 2008, The Phoenix Hotel has established a reputation for quality accommodation and the highest standard of gourmet dining available in the region. The hotel is situated in a beautiful natural forest setting in a prime location between Wadano and Happo-one villages. Phase 1 of The Phoenix Chalet development is complete with 8 chalets operating

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since 2010 in both winter and summer with great success. The Hotel is now offering investors the chance to design and construct their own Phoenix Chalet for private use or as a fully managed investment utilizing the rental pool of The Phoenix Hotel. The eight chalets that have been built are all named after local rivers, mountains and beauty spots that make Nagano Prefecture a premier destination not just for winter but for all the four seasons. Set in a tranquil part of the village, yet only a short walk from many amenities and ski lift access, the chalets integrate perfectly into the environment. The chalets are constructed to the highest standards by Fusion Homes who source the finest local materials, fixtures and finishes that reflect the stunning alpine setting. The

interiors are a mix of contemporary and traditional styles. They boast a modern open kitchen with a good sized adjacent dining area as well as a large lounge area which is perfect for discussing the day’s escapades and planning tomorrow’s. Both the two and three bedroom chalets have been fitted out with beautiful carpentry and they are a real credit to the builders. Floors plans will be flexible to suit all requirements. Fusion Homes have fifteen years’ worth of experience of building in Hakuba. Their trademark style is to deliver a unique but functional end product by combining the very best building techniques and concepts from around the globe and ensuring that they are beautifully set in perfect surroundings. Hakuba valley is Asia's grand Alpine playground. In Japan visitors from the metropolises of Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya

• Year round income • Master Builder • On-site management • Proximity to Tokyo • Ideal location • Bilingual concierge service • Access to The Phoenix Hotel • Technology. High speed internet and cable TV system

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have long flocked to this special region which stands out as the preferred destination for winter enthusiasts. Likewise guests from around the world, in particular from Asia, have begun to discover the beauty of winter in Hakuba. Set against a backdrop of the rugged peaks of the Japanese Alps, the scenery of Hakuba is truly amazing. It earns its reputation as a winter destination with a large number of resorts (ten in total), all easily accessible and offering a multitude of runs and a large variety of terrain from beginner to advanced. There is also the added attraction of a cross country ski park and ski jump facility, purpose built for the 1998 Nagano Olympics and still used as a venue for World Cup events. Hakuba also has much to offer in the spring, summer and

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autumn, the so called "green season". In fact visitor numbers are typically higher during the green season than in winter. Spring brings with it a burst of color and life as the valley turns green and the mountain flowers and cherry blossoms bloom. In summer the refreshing alpine lakes afford swimming and boating and the mountains attract many day walkers and serious mountain climbers. Other activities include white water rafting, paragliding and mountain biking not to mention the local cultural attractions including many temples and castles. Hakuba valley also has many natural hot spring bathes which are popular all year round. And then there is the food. Hakuba is located in the Shinshu region, the breadbasket of Japan. The Japanese cuisine offering is diverse and without exception delicious,

even the western offerings are exceptional due to the meticulous traits of the Japanese chefs and the freshness of the ingredients. Perhaps unique to Hakuba as a mountain destination is the availability of wonderful seafood since the valley is located only 40 kilometers from the wild oceans of the Sea of Japan. The amazing Shinshu beef, Hakuba Pork, a variety of Alpine game and trout or "Shinshu salmon" create a cacophony of flavors for your enjoyment.

• Proximity to Tokyo. Hakuba is only one hour by car from Nagano which is a 1.5 hour bullet train ride to Tokyo. The drive direct from Tokyo takes about 3.5 hours.

The Phoenix Chalets

• Master Builder. The Phoenix Chalets are constructed to the highest standards by Master Builders Fusion Homes, the most experienced and only truly bilingual building professional in the region. Work with them to customize your Chalet to your individual taste and requirements.

• Year round income. The phase 1 of the Phoenix chalets has been in operation since 2010 and has enjoyed extremely high winter occupancy and an increasingly busy green season.

• Ideal location. The Phoenix Hotel is set in a beautiful forest location in Wadano close to the Happo slopes yet only a 10 minute walk to the Happo Bus terminal and Happo-one village.

• Technology. High speed internet and cable TV system. Work from Hakuba if you must!

• Bilingual concierge service. Prior to arrival e-mail or call to ensure that the heating is turned on and your chalet is clean and ready for your arrival. The concierge service is ready to help arrange in house-dining, shopping, lift tickets, ski hire, lessons, car-hire, taxi pickups and everything else you need to make your stay comfortable.

• Access to The Phoenix Hotel. Five star dining at Mimi's Restaurant and Bar. In Chalet catering service and take out Deli menu. Hotel Japanese style bath and sauna facility. Shuttle Bus transfers to the major mountain resorts.

• On-site management. Peace of mind that someone is keeping an eye on your investment.

For inquiries contact: joe.rigby@housingjapan.com www.housingjapan.com

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Own your private piece of Hakuba with a Phoenix Chalet built to your specifications. The Phoenix Hotel is pleased to present an exciting opportunity to participate in the growth and development of Hakuba, Japan's premier Alpine resort area. Since opening in 2008, The Phoenix Hotel has established a reputation for quality accommodation and the highest standard of gourmet dining available in the region. The hotel is situated in a beautiful natural forest setting in a prime location between Wadanomori and Happone villages. Phase 1 of The Phoenix Chalet development is complete with 8 chalets operating in both winter and summer with great success since 2008. The Hotel is now offering investors the chance to design and construct their own Phoenix Chalet for private use or as a fully managed investment utilizing the rental pool of The Phoenix Hotel.

Phoenix Chalets Features • Luxury Ski Chalets • Free-Hold Ownership • Year Round Income • Bilingual Concierge Service • Convenient Proximity to Tokyo • Ideal Location in Wadanomori • Quality Construction and Design • Professional On-Site Management • Built to Your Specifications • Shuttle Bus Transfers to the Major Mountain Resorts • Full Hotel Service from the Phoenix Hotel

All YEAR ROUND RESORT M

any foreign investors have discovered how undervalued and inexpensive property is to buy in Hakuba. Part of this is perception is due to their relatively strong home currency exchange rates, but when looking at yields from a pure investment perception it is true! The year round potential of the area is obvious to everyone and there is a growing inbound multicultural foreign tourism market. Hakuba is being revitalized with the injection of this fresh new blood. Investment has come from all over the Pacific, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and domestic ex-pats. There is interest from China, Russia and Scandinavia.

A Singaporean Investor told us that it is his vision that “Hakuba will become the Whistler of the East.” What does that mean? Whistler is no doubt famous as a Snowsports destination, but it has equal fame as home to

some of the world’s best downhill and freeride mountain biking. It has lakes for water-sports and numerous cultural and culinary year round attractions. It also has a great property market and a great base village boasting a lot of ski-in/skiout, property. It is a truly iconic year round destination. Property investment by foreigners has been gaining momentum in Hakuba over the last 5 years, but underwent a bit of a hiccup when the magnitude 10 earthquake occurred just over 40km off Tohoku. The resultant tsunami claimed tens of thousands of lives and the over hyped media focused on Fukushima’s nuclear power plant. Hakuba is a very long way in every sense from the disaster area, but understandably the lead in to last season started with very poor bookings. Things were looking dire. But something happened. All of a sudden the bookings started to return, later than usual, but it ended up being a great season. Investment confidence returned as well.

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We have seen many properties change hands, again mainly with foreign investment which is very positive for the local economy and industry and we have seen a lot of new construction. Hakuba is back on track The current investment theme revolves around construction, whether new, re-development or major renovation. Many of the derelict and tired old buildings have been demolished to make way for the future. A lot have been bought and given a huge dose of love with great results. The old Japanese style, winter focused base development is not serving the new guests as well as the diametrically opposed, modern, true year round ski area base developments like Snowmass, Whistler and Sun Valley. Ski-in/Ski-out property is and always will be the most desired accommodation and justifiably earns premium rental returns. This is something noticeably absent in Hakuba. One of the latest developments to be on the table is Blue Lake Resort. Based around stunning Aokiko (Blue Tree Lake) one of the Japan’s clearest bodies of water, Blue Lake Property KK are releasing around 10 ski-in/ski-out, drive-in/driveout development blocks in stage 1. Aokiko was a ski resort linking Kashimayari and Sanosaka via lifts and ski runs that ceased operating four years ago. Blue Lake Resort Lifts KK are planning to get those lifts turning again early in 2013.

Endorsed steep tree riding Access to 3 linked resorts  Great Kids ski and board centre  Professional Adult ski school  Base building with indoor pool & Gym  Numerous great restaurants  Mountain Biking  Summer mountain and watersports

The former ski resort and its large lakeside hotel are to receive a major redevelopment, rebadged as Blue Lake Resort. Eventually over 6 stages, there will be 70 large ski-in/ski-out, drive-in/drive-out blocks available. This will truly be the first resort development of its type in Japan and one would assume it will have a major beneficial impact on the industry in this country. With all 3 resorts once again linked there are 18 lifts covering a vast amount of terrain, one of the largest areas in the Valley. The development plan takes advantage of all the current facilities which include lakeshore access, indoor pool, gym floor, 3 restaurants and then adds to this with new retail, restaurants, convenience stores and a proposed aquatic centre.

Summer ads lift accessed mountain biking, a zipline forest park, the existing water jump park and much more.

Limited remaining shares @ JPY100 Freehold Ski-in/Ski-out land available A true 4 seasons destination 200 bed hotel and restaurant Local culture with western comforts Substantial expansion plans to make the #1 destination in Hakuba

Maybe our Singaporean friend foresaw this development? The future for the real estate market and the construction industry in Hakuba is looking bright. Have a chat to one of the local real estate agents or builders you will find in this magazine for more information and to get your opportunity to take advantage of the excellent pricing available on property in Hakuba.

email ceo@bluelake.co for information

Contact numbers: Sakura Real Estate 0261-72-6133 Hakuba Real Estate 0261-75-3073 www.hakubaconnect.com

Sales Direct

+81-(0)261-72-6133 +81-(0)80-1060-7070 Property Listings www.hakuba-real-estate.com E-mail sales@sakurarealestate.com

Interview with

TABITO HASHIMOTO of Sakura Real Estate

Sakura Real Estate

n recent years, a number of non-Japanese have bought properties in Hakuba for both private and commercial reasons. Many buyers are amazed at the prices of land and buildings compared to other international ski areas. We sat down with Tabito Hashimoto of Sakura Real Estate and discussed how the market is looking. How long has Sakura Real Estate been in business? My father set up the company 28 years ago during the Japanese property bubble. My sister is called Sakura, which also means cherry blossom, he named it after her. I joined the company 10 years ago and became the Managing Director 6 years ago. Why is the land and property prices so cheap compared to other countries? Land and building prices peaked in the mid 1990s, since then, prices have fallen significantly in both the cities and countryside of Japan. Hakubaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prices are 30% less than they were during the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. How is the market looking? To be honest the property market doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t change all that much from year to year in Hakuba. There are always buyers who are looking for that special kind of place. Luckily we have that here under the beautiful Northern Alps. Around six years ago we did start to get quite a lot of non-Japanese buying properties. This died off a little with the Global Financial Crisis and again followed by the earthquake and tsunami. We have recovered well and the Wadano area in particular has seen a lot of Hong Kong based capital coming in.

What type of properties do International clients buy? Basically there are two types of foreign buyers. One group are made up of mainly expats who live in Japan and in the surrounding East Asian countries. They are looking to buy small chalets in an all year round mountain resort that is easily accessible. You have to remember that Hakuba is only 3 1/2 hours from Tokyo. The other group are developers and investors that are looking for income producing properties close by to the ski areas. Many are buying Japanese style accommodations, reforming them to western standards and then running them as boutique lodges. A lot of the properties were built in the

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property boom with quality materials and the only requirement these days is a bit of tender love and care inside them. We have seen a large influx of international and mixed race families moving to Hakuba. The local schools sometimes look more international than the international ones! What is the legal side to buying property in Japan? Does Sakura Real Estate help with this? It is quite straightforward for foreign nationals to buy property in Japan, though there are of course legal procedures and documentation that are required. We as real estate agents can be held legally responsible for providing any false information, either intentionally or by accident, so we take careful consideration when we prepare the paperwork and make sure everything is as it should be.

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With international clients buying property but being away for long periods â&#x20AC;&#x201C; do you help with property maintenance? This is a question that we are asked so often. A lot of overseas buyers are anxious about the snow clearing and other general maintenance that are sometimes required. We introduce reliable and trusted property management companies to help our clients. Do you have a location where customers can meet with you and browse properties? We have an office located directly in front of the main Hakuba train station. Here you can come in and meet with our sales staff and browse available properties.

Though mountains are great to look at and fabulous to play on, they can give your le Th egs and indeed your whole body a hard workout. After a long journey here or a big day on the in e sl slop opes op es,, es treat yourself to one of Hakuba’s massage and spa treatments to revive your tired musccle tr es, s, ease any lingering tension, and bring true relaxation to your holiday. With more options appearing every year, Hakuba Connect have selected a few to help you on the road to spa heaven!

he spa at the Tokyu Hotel offers a variety of aroma massages in combination with their natural hot spring or “onsen” as they are called in Japan. Onsen water is naturally high in minerals and can really help the body recover after an awesome day of riding on the mountain. It is the number one Japanese après ski activity. Modern, chic, and

spotlessly clean, the onsen at the Tokyu offers a very comfortable introduction to Japanese bathing. Its lovely outdoor rock pool is particularly impressive. When you do visit the Tokyu Hotel for a massage make sure you give yourself an extra 15 minutes, for the staff to greet

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you with a cup of herbal tea and discuss what to expect from the treatment you will receive.

reflexology to hot stone healing. Various packages are available, including special discounts for couples.

Thai massage is more energizing and rigorous than other classic forms of massage. Thai massage is believed to have been developed by a physician to Buddha, more than 2,500 years ago in India. The healing techniques of Thai massage embrace the four states of mind: loving kindness, compassion, joy, and balance. Thai massage has been called “The Yoga Done For You” for the therapeutic stretches and pressing applied to your feet, legs, body, arms, and head while you rest comfortably on the floor, fully clothed, except for bare feet. Thai massage has its roots in a spiritual tradition, and its purpose is to heal a person physically, emotionally and spiritually. Thai massage is available at Bangkok-ya, just around the corner from the cozy Thai restaurant. The restaurant is run by fun-loving Kaz, an avid telemarker who spends the off seasons in his beloved Thailand. There are numerous massages available from traditional Thai massages and Thai

The Ridge Hotel located perfectly in lower Wadano offers an in-house massage including Ski or Snowboard Pro Recovery Massage. Thirty minutes in the morning prior to skiing or boarding is designed to make you ready for a day on the slopes by allowing tired limbs to be invigorated and get most out of those tired legs.

ne of the most common discussions we have in the physio rooms over the years is about the Japanese health system and tourists are often concerned about what they will do if they get injured in Japan. Many foreigners visiting or living in Japan are quite reluctant to present themselves to a Japanese hospital, primarily due to concerns over the language, but also the cost and culture. The health system in Japan is quite ‘socialist’, whereby everyone contributes to the national health-care scheme and, from approved providers, the government will cover 70% of the cost, with patients covering the other 30%. Private-health insurance is not uncommon, but only to cover the 30% gap and Japanese will rarely attend clinics that are not part of the nationalhealth scheme, so most clinics work under the constraints of the health system, which can be quite onerous. With the increasing number of medical procedures becoming available it can be difficult for a national health care scheme to cover the cost of providing these treatments to everyone. The Japanese mentality of ‘gaman’, defined as ‘the ability to endure the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity’, means there is often an acceptance that non-life threatening problems should just be endured, so the less than comprehensive level of service works well with less demanding Japanese patients. This reminds me of a Japanese patient who told me that when she let out a moan during labor the nurse

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This is followed by another thirty minutes after skiing to help increase microcirculation and reduce the onset of muscle soreness. For those not wanting to venture out of their hotel, can experience a massage in the comfort of their own room. Tamamido Mobile Massage, led by the cheerful Miki, are dedicated winter sports enthusiasts who are usually found on the slopes in the morning. They have developed a deep understanding of the physical intensity of skiing and snowboarding and offer a wide range of treatments, including both Japanese and Thai massages along with Swedish oil aroma treatments.

scolded her with a quick “Shame on you”, so she had to keep quiet and gaman. Pain relief is often not a high priority and doses are lower than in western countries. In Hakuba the ski patrol will assist you down the hill if you are injured and often assist you into a taxi or ambulance to take you to the local doctor, to Hakuba Physio or back to your hotel. The local doctor has an X-ray so if you are suspecting a fracture it is a good starting point. The nearest hospital is in Omachi which is approximately 30 minutes away, but unfortunately has set working hours and are closed at lunch time. In Hakuba Physio we often perform a quick ‘triage’ assessment and decide if the patient is suitable for us or needs to go to a doctor. Most knee injuries can be treated without seeing a doctor and travel insurance companies are understanding so we can even arrange upgrades for flights home. Of course your best bet is not to get injured but rest assured if you do, you will be taken care of well.

Bevan Colless i s the f ounder o f Tokyo Physio, Niseko Physio and Hakuba Physio. Bevan and his team o f physiotherapists are Australian trained and specialise in winter sports injuries.

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Getting naked, hot and wet with a bunch of total strangers is perhaps the most quintessentially Japanese thing to do. There are several of onsen (natural thermal hot springs) scattered the length of the Hakuba Valley. The mineral content of almost every onsen in Hakuba is slightly different, and many onsens use the healing effects of their particular mineral mix in their marketing. A trip to Hakuba is not complete without a trip to the onsen. Step 1 Undress slowly and calmly, taking care to fold your clothes and place them neatly in the basket or locker provided. Step 2 Remove your towel from its packaging - it will probably be no bigger than a handkerchief. This towel is meant to hide your genitals, to rub a soapy foam on your body, or to cool your forehead in the hot bath. Step 3 Wash and rinse before you enter the bath - this is done while kneeling or seated on a small stool, and bowls are provided. This is one of the most important steps - bathing without first washing yourself is considered the height of rudeness. Scrub like you’ve never scrubbed before. Step 4 Enter the bath slowly and gradually, especially if you are in a large group. Upon entering the water, you may loudly exclaim your pleasure, and discuss its quality. You will then slowly relax as the hot bath washes over you. Step 5 After a dip, you can then exit the bath to scrub your body (or someone else’s) once more, until you reach a boiled red or purple color. You may then re-enter the bath, and repeat.

Daiich Sato no-yu: Located close to Happo Information Center. One of the more popular Onsens.

Echoland Onsen: A great onsen to rejuvenate oneself before the apres ski starts off.

Mimizuku Onsen: A local’s favorite. Wonderful views of the Hakuba peaks. A short walk from Hakuba Station.

Foot Onsen: Sit back and dangle your aching legs and feet in the free foot onsen. Don’t forget to bring a towel.

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INFORMATION CENTERS

sixes are free. The service runs from December 22nd through to February 28th.

The official Hakuba Information Center is a little out of the way opposite the ski jumping stadium. The Happo Information Center with a cafe and wifi is located in the center of Happo Village. It carries local tourist brochures and maps in your local language as well as having English speaking staff on hand to help out with various inquires.

Check inside the free Hakuba Connect map for times and routes.

Hakuba Tourism Commission Happo Information Center

0261-72-7100 0261-72-3066

GETTING AROUND Genki-Go Night Shuttle Bus

Getting around in the evening is cheap and convenient with the Genki-go evening shuttle bus services. The buses circulate the resort from about 5pm to about 11pm The buses pass through all of the main accommodation centers, supermarkets and après ski areas. There are two routes this year, blue and green. Make sure you know what time the bus leaves to go back to your accommodation or it could be an expensive taxi ride or a long walk. The fare is 200 yen for both adults and children. Under

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Ski Shuttle Buses

Ski Shuttle Buses are plentiful and service all resorts. For some routes you will need to change at the Happpo Information Center /Bus Terminal. Please remember which number or letter bus you catch in the morning so you can get the same one back to your accommodation. If in doubt check with your driver the Hotel’s name. Check inside the free Hakuba Connect map for times and routes.

Car Rental

If you are confident about driving on the snow and ice then renting a car is great way of getting first tracks in the powder as well as doing day trips. All rental cars are 4wd and come fitted with snow tyres. Customers wishing to rent will need either a Japanese driver’s license or an international license and their passport. Without these items cars cannot be rented.

Taxis

Hakuba is served by local taxi companies and are usually parked up at the main Hakuba station. Expect to pay about 1,500 yen between Wadano and Echoland. Try to reserve a taxi at least 30 minutes before your departure. Ask your accommodation to book for you as most drivers do not speak English. Please note that the taxis stop running at about 1:00am. After that you are on your own. If there a few of you, then ski area transfers by taxi can be so much easier. Expect to pay about 5,000 yen from the main Hakuba Accommodation areas to Hakuba Cortina Ski Area Alps Daichi Koutsu Service Hakuba Kanko Taxi

0261-72-2221 0261-72-2144

ONWARD TRAVEL Nagano Snow Shuttle

Nagano Snow Shuttle (0261-75-5360) offer a reliable direct bus service with plenty of luggage and leg space to both Tokyo City and Narita Airport. Buses leave daily from Happo bus terminal at 10:30am and arrive Tokyo 15:00pm & Narita Airport 17:00. Bookings can be made online, through your accommodation, by phone or at the JHN travel office inside the Panorama Hotel. The one way trip is 9,900yen for adults and 7,500yen for children.

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See the back page of this magazine for more details. For those wanting transfers to other ski resorts in Nagano then from this winter season Nagano Snow Shuttle will be doing inter-resort transfers between Hakuba, Shiga Kogen and Nozawa Onsen. The service runs from December 20th to March 10th.

Public Transport

Regular bus services are available between Hakuba and Nagano City. They depart the Happo Information Center/Bus Terminal, Hakuba main train station and on the main road in front of Goryuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Kamishiro train Station. Connections to Shinkansen trains can be made in Nagano City.

MEDICAL SERVICES Clinic

Hakuba doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a hospital, the nearest is Omachi, which is about 30 minutes away. Most on mountain ski accident patients are taken to Shintani Clinic. (0261-75-4177) English speaking staff are on hand to help out. Credit cards are accepted. For more serious cases, Shintani Clinic will arrange ambulance services to nearby hospitals.

Pharmacy

Basic medicine, headache & muscle pain relief can be bought over the counter at Ohta Pharmacy. The staff speak English and have medical dictionaries to help you find the most suitable medicine.

One way fare is 1500yen Check inside the free Hakuba Connect map for times.

Luggage Delivery Service

Your luggage can be delivered in advance between the airports and your hotel in Hakuba. It usually takes two days. Your hotel should be able to arrange this for you. Expect to pay about 2,000yen per luggage.

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COMMUNICATIONS Internet

These days most hotels and lodges will have a computer terminal or wireless network.

Rental computer terminals can be found in Sanroku Tours near Hakuba Station and Happo Information Center. Wireless hotspots can be found all around most notably in cafes.

Telephones

Cell phones need to be 3G to work in Japan. Domestic calls can be made from the green public phones. International calls can be made from the grey ones.

Money

ATMs which take international cards are only available at post offices and the two 7-11s. One 7/11 is located on Olympic Road in Misorano and the other on route 148 near to Goryu intersection. 7-11s are 24 hours.

Post Offices

JAPANESE FOR VISITORS Greetings

Good Morning Hello/ Good Afternoon Good Evening Good Night Bye/ Goodbye Excuse Me Thank-you Please- giving Please- asking I’m sorry How are you?

Out & About

Where is…. I can’t speak Japanese.

There are two post offices in Hakuba, one is located near to Hakuba Train Station (MAP F-8) and the other near to Kamishiro Train Station (MAP C-2). Both have international ATMs that accept most credit cards. ATM Operating Hours are 9am - 7pm.

Do you speak English?

Supermarkets

Après Ski

There are three supermarkets in Hakuba. Max Value formerly known as Jusco is the largest. Here you can find groceries, clothing, winter boots, a bakery, local produce and souvenirs. Also located inside is a popular 100 yen store where you can pick up great Japanese knick-knacks.

Do you have……? How much is it? Does this bus go to XXX?

Two beers please Do you come here often?

Ohayo gozaimasu Konnichiwa Konbanwa Oyasumi nasai Mata/ Sayonara Sumimasen Arigato Dozo Kudasai Gomen nasai Genki desu-ka?

…..wa doko desu ka? Nihongo wa dekimasen Eigo wo hanasemasu ka? …….arimasu ka? Ikura desu ka? Kono basu wa XXX ni ikmasu ka?

Cheers

Biru futatsu kudasai Yoku koko ni kimasu ka? Kanpai

That was great! (after meal)

Gochiso sama deshita

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fantastic way to spend a rest day off the ski slopes of Hakuba and experience more of what the Nagano region has to offer is to take the Snow Monkey Tour. It takes about a 2 hour bus ride to get to the monkey park. Along the way, your guides will engage you with interesting facts about the Nagano area and also have a few funny stories to tell. The highlight of the tour is seeing the Japanese Macaque monkeys that inhabit the Jigokudani –“Hell’s Valley” Monkey Park and enjoy the hot spring that has been created especially for them. The scenic walk through the forest to this area takes about 20 minutes. Make sure you rug up and wear your ski jacket and warm boots as hell is a very cold place in this instance! You’ll understand why the monkeys are so keen to soak in the hot onsen.

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Take your camera as you’ll be amazed at how closely you can observe the monkeys. They really are remarkable to watch – and photogenic! It’s easy to get caught up watching them and it can be hard to remember to get back to the bus in time for the drive to the 250 year old Musuichi Sake Brewery where you’ll be having lunch. The brewery is located in the town of Obuse which has a rich cultural and artistic history. This brewery one of the few that still uses traditional Oke barrels to ferment the Sake. You’ll want to buy a bottle of Sake just for the way they’re beautifully decanted. After you’ve enjoyed a delicious lunch with rice cooked in an old-fashioned wood-burning oven and a taste of the Sake, you can visit the museum of the art works of the famous Japanese artist Hokusai or look around the quaint shops in the town.

The final stop of the day takes you to the Zenkoji Buddhist Temple in Nagano City. The temple was built in the 7th century and is said to house the first Buddha statue brought to Japan. The “Hibitsu” which is the secret Buddha is so precious that it’s hidden from the public but a replica is shown every 6 years. The next viewing will be in 2015 and will attract millions of pilgrims. In the meantime, for a small donation, you can try your luck at finding the “key to paradise” which is attached to the wall of a completely dark corridor under the temple’s prayer chamber. The temple also contains a statue of Binzuru, a physician who was said to be Buddha’s follower. Rubbing the statue is said to cure you of your aches and pains – the spot you rub should correspond to the area that needs healing. A perfect way to finish off the day and ensure that you’re primed for your next big day on the mountain! You’ll be back in Hakuba in time for dinner and an early night if you want to make first tracks the next day. Tours to see the snowmonkeys can be booked by: Ski Japan Holidays (0261-72-6663), Sanuroku Tours (0261-72-6900), Joyful Day Tours (0261-75-5155),

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NOZAWA ONSEN FIRE FESTIVAL T he first Nozawa Onsen fire festival began in 1863 as a means of praying for a plentiful harvest, health and good luck in the coming year. It is one of the three grandest fire festivals in Japan and the only of the three to be held in deep mid winter. Sometimes this can cause a problem.

When heavy snow falls during the preceding days and on the day itself, it can render the firewood wet and very difficult to be lit. On the day of the festival the flame is lit by the Kono family at Terayu Onsen and then brought down to the festival site. The battles start at 8.30pm with the torch bearers attacking the pavilion. The townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 25 year olds have to fight off these and defend the lower part. The fighting is intense and dangerous for all those involved. But in the end, inevitably, the torch bearers win and the whole pavilion goes up in flames.

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Nozawa Onsen Fire Festival is on January 15th. Tours can be booked by: Ski Japan Holidays (0261-72-6663) Joyful Day Tours (0261-75-5155)

X- COUNTRY SKIING

efinitely the vertical world of alpine skiing and snowboarding is the major draw in Hakuba, however cross-country skiing has it’s own special appeal and its easy accessibility continue to make it a great winter activity for anyone. Cross-country skiing is unquestionably the more traditional way to ski. In days gone by, it was for getting from point A to point B, as you can ski pretty much anywhere there is snow. It is also the cheaper of the two. Once you have your skis, you are free to explore around at your own pace enjoy the fresh mountain air, the solitude, the quiet snowy forests and friendly camaraderie of fellow skiers. The systems of man-made ski trails in the Hakuba area usually get going once there is a good base of snow to work with and they can drive the groomers on the courses to set the tracks. Since the 1998 Olympic Nordic events were hosted at the “Snow Harp Stadium” they maintain the trails in winter. Iwatake cross-country ski trail system is another course in the Hakuba area.

To make the most of your time and to experience the best sights and hidden gems of the Hakuba area, it is recommended to sign up for a tour with Evergreen’s cross-country guides. The guides are safe and professional and will give you tips on your skiing technique on the trails, teaching you about the local wildlife and showing you the beauty of the winter mountains you’ll have some great photos as well as some wonderful winter holiday memories.

EVENING SNOWSHOEING

or many winter landscapes and minus temperatures are not everyday fare, and getting acclimatized to the snow here in Hakuba when they arrive takes a bit of getting used to. The kids however usually take to it like fish to water and are off playing in the snow within minutes. One thing that many discover is that they can do snowshoeing here, and it turns out that it is something that everyone can do as a family. Many visitors adopt doing a night snowshoe tour on one of their free evenings in town. This entails getting the right boots and sizing up snowshoes and then heading off with guides who regularly point out animal tracks in the snow along the way. After a while sit down on a handmade snow-couch and table and tuck into the yummy dessert the guides prepare. Chocolate fondue with fruits, accompanied by hot spiced wine! Probably the most fun is on the return leg, running and jumping back down the hill, tripping over your snowshoes and falling face first into the soft snow! It is one of the many Japan trip highlights that visitors can take back home with them. If you are interested in snowshoe tours, contact the guys at Evergreen.

tours.

SNOW MOBILING he easiest way to join the world of “roopers” is hook up with Lion Adventures and go on one of their snowmobile

Most tours start with the guides getting you to do a few figures of eight at the bottom of the hill. The progression then continues onto some laps of groomed cat tracks on the mountain. Once you’re all fit and able, it’s time to hit the off piste! Imagine doing that on your first morning skiing. You’d be half buried within seconds! Once off the trails and in powder, the snowmobiles ride like a snowboard or fat skis, all mellow and surfy. As you get the feel of how to ride a sled, you can start to attack more terrain. www.hakuba.lion-adventure.com

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BEST SHOT IN HAKUBA

f you have ever wanted to feel and touch a pistol, machine gun or sniper rifle then you are in luck. Top Target located in Echoland has a wide selection of modern replica weapons. The weapons or B.B guns fire small plastic pellets, giving you the experience and fun of shooting without the danger. They have a selection of your Hollywood favorites including the Desert Eagle as seen in the Predator movies. The sniper rifles come with a scope and rests, allowing you to pause for a breath, take aim and hit the target with superior accuracy. The range is a full nine meters which is the usual length for BB Gun firing competitions. Challenge your friends to be the best shot in Hakuba. Another favorite is the M4 Assault Rifle- one of the most popular weapons and it can fire single or semi-automatic pellets. Children are welcome in Top Target and can fire the weapons though we recommend that they do come with an adult. Top Target is also a good place to hang out with friends and shoot some pool at one of the two quality pool tables or try your hand at darts with the electronic darts board. You can be top target with the dart as well as the guns. A well stocked café & bar offers a variety of alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, hot drinks, snacks and light bites. Even if you’re not into guns there is free wifi to catch up on Facebook and the news from back home. Downstairs is home to Hakuba’s largest souvenir shop “Weather Report” that has over 7,000 different types of souvenirs on sale! Why brag about your kill streaks on a computer when you can go to Top Target, test your skills for real and take home a target sheet to prove it right here in Hakuba. Top Target is located on the main Echoland Street. Genki-go Bus Stop No.17

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he journey begins at any one station though we recommend commencing at either Nagano, Matsumoto or of course Hakuba. Within minutes of the train pulling away from the station you will be in open valleys with snow laden trees giving way to panoramic views of towering mountains and lakes frozen from the cold breath of winter.

You view all this through large windows while you are nestled into your warm seat. Mounted digital cameras on the front of the train provide a drivers â&#x20AC;&#x153;eye viewâ&#x20AC;? on flat screen monitors installed in the carriages. If you are coming from Nagano or Matsumoto to Hakuba you will have the added treat of disembarking from the train and enjoying a guided tour to the impressive Hotaka Shrine, followed by a cultural performance onboard the train. A good selection of refreshments are offered throughout the trip. The train timetable is every Saturday and Sunday (except Jan 19 & 20 and Feb 16 & 17) as well as selected other dates throughout the winter season. You can book at any manned JR train station including Hakuba. JR Rail pass holders can ride using their passes.

LAKE AOKIKO

ZENKOJI TEMPLE

HOTAKA SHRINE

DAIO WASABI FARM

MATSUMOTO CASTLE

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here’s no better way to celebrate a great day of skiing or riding than with a few well earned après ski drinks with your friends. Once the chairlifts shut down for the day it’s time to party from après ski time to the early hours in one or many of the resort’s famous bars or clubs. Hakuba likes to party! After a large powder dump, when people trade stories of the spills or the amazing line they skied down, to the celebration of a major life milestone which could include getting through the mogul field unscathed at Kurobishi on Happo-one! But where to celebrate that in terms of everyone’s different atmosphere, taste, style and of course budget. Well, Hakuba has such a wide variety of bars and clubs to suit everyone’s preference.

The Beach Bar in the mountains! Fun lively bar. Will the staff be wearing bikinis this year? Tracks Bar in Goryu. Now firmly established as the forefront of Goryu’s nightlife. f Last stop on Goryu’s ’ ffamous pub crawl.

B-Line. Retro bar from the 80’s in Echoland. Chill out and listen to the sounds of Michael Jackson while shooting a ffew balls on the pool table.

The Lodge at the Tokyu Hotel. A stylish and contemporary lounge bar with fireplace, cocktails and champagne.

The Pub is HUGE. A real British style pub in the heart of Wadano.

Bar Plus 1 across the road from Hakuba Station has Karaoke rooms that will have you singing into the early hours.

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In fact it would be hard to visit all of the Hakuba nightlife during your stay here; though it would be a lot of fun trying. Want a place that is just off the mountain that you can enjoy a happy hour drink or two in ski boots? Bike Bar great atmosphere with live music throughout the season.

Hakubaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got that! Looking for an upscale lounge to enjoy a signature cocktail or a glass or two of champagne? Hakuba has that! Enjoy listening to live music or just having a chat with one of the local characters in town. Got that too! Love to dance to the early hours to the latest sounds.

Penke Bar & Bistro in upper Wadano. A fun party atmosphere with plenty of events going on during winter. Imported cricket sets for snow cricket.

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Easy peezy. From the most casual pub frequented by locals to a classy wine bar, Hakuba has all the bases covered.

Bar Cross in Happo village. Basement bar with a great vibe. Run by back country guides. This is where you will find out where the best powder stashes are.

This winter season there are a quite a few new wine bars, pubs, lounges and clubs opening in the resort that the staff at Hakuba Connect are looking forward to doing some serious reconnaissance work, sampling the delights that each new one has to offer. See you in the bar.

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he Mominoki Complex close by to the Wadano Intersection is a mini-aprĂ¨s ski center for everyone to enjoy.

Adjacent to the Mominoki Hotel is the Wadano Visitor Center. This is a gift shop that has more than just souvenirs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it also sells high quality ski wear and accessories. Also located in the Center is Three Peaks ski rentals, which hires out some of the best ski and snowboard gear in the whole of Hakuba. In The Pub you will find the Ogino Steak House & Bar which offers premium Japanese Wagyu beef and local wild game, including culinary delights such as venison and wild duck. For a traditional style Japanese pub head into the Iazakaya Kaz dining room. They have a wide range of izakaya foods as well as skiers favorites, sushi and sashimi. Lots of excellent events are held at The Pub throughout the winter season and they even have a free night time shuttle bus for pick-ups and drop-offs to beat the cold winter nights.

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or our purposes, Happo Village refers to the area from the Happo intersection with the newly-extended Lawson convenience store, past the Bus Station/ Tourist Information Center, and up through the maze of hotels, bars, and souvenir shops toward the Happo Gondola. Along with the rental shops, bars and restaurants, you’ll find a couple of onsens, as well as the free foot onsen by the bus station itself.

Q. Uncle Steven’s is a great name, how did it come about? A. Previously my friend Steven opened a Mexican restaurant in Osaka called Uncle Steven’s. The name proved very popular so I decided to use it when I opened 16 years ago. Q. You don’t look Mexican. A. No, of course not! But I love all things Mexican and take a trip there every year to sample new food and drinks. Q. There are many hungry skiers and snowboarders – tell us your specialty dish.

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A. There all special!! But I highly recommend our jalapeno quesadillas as well as our original chimichanga. Q. A Mexican restaurant is not only about the food is it? A. That’s right! It is also about the atmosphere and of course the drinks. At Uncle Steven’s we have Happy Hour from 3.00 to 5:30 where customers have a choice of Mexican or Japanese beers for only 500yen. We have a large range of tequilas; in fact I am a tequila sommelier, so I know how to make the perfect margarita.

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HAPPO

ave a fun night out Japanese style. When somebody says going to "Hashi-go" (ladder) going out for a night in Japan, it means intending to frequent a few different establishments not just one. In the heart of Happo, 3 local bars have got together to introduce Happo Hashi-go. Have two or more drinks in each of the participating bars over the course of the same evening and get the ladder card stamped in each bar in any order and you qualify for a free drink. Meet some of the colorful Hakuba locals and get a feel of Japan off the slopes as well. Come and get on the Happo ladder and see where it takes you. Hashi-go participating bars: The Yohei Club, Jacks Bar, The Beach Bar.

or a nice change from the regular ski hill fare found on the resort, why not drop into Roots Cafe for some deliciously unique food & drink in a relaxing lounge vibe. Roots Cafe's chefs have a created a wholesome choice of fresh and nutricious meals based entirely on ethnic vegetarian cuisine. Chill or hangout while enjoying coffee, or sample their wide range of world teas, smoothies or local organic beers and wines. Besides having yummy veggie soups, appetizers and mains, their concept is to use all natural and organic products to promote a healthy, vital body and lifestyle. On every 2nd and 4th Wednesday, from January – March Roots Cafe will be hosting an “Avalanche Night” which is open to everyone. The evening is an opportunity to learn about avalanches from professional lecturers over drinks in a casual atmosphere.

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Open early for breakfast for skiers needing a boost in the morning and into the evening for après ski, Roots is also a great spot to warm up mid-runs as they are located right at the base of the Kokusai Lift on Happo-One Resort. So after an exciting day on the slopes, why not quench your thirst and quell your hunger with a large selection of organic beverages and appetizers at the best slope-side cafe in town.

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H A P P O A R E A

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choland is Hakuba’s entertainment hub. Situated between the Happo and Hakuba 47 ski areas, you’ll find a wide selection of restaurants and bars on the main Echoland Street, with numerous hotels and lodges located on the roads branching off on both sides. Dining choices include Japanese Izakaya-style pub food, chanko nabe, Mexican, steak, and good ol’ pub grub. All budgets are catered for. You can eat at one of our favorites, Sounds Like Café, for under 1000 yen! Echoland is definitely the best place in Hakuba to kick back and have fun after spending a day on the slopes.

isorano is the quiet wooded area to the south of Echoland within easy walking distance. It is home to many lodges and has shuttle bus access to the resorts. A Seven-Eleven convenience store with ATM access has been built at the intersection with the Olympic Road.

Non-Jae is a large building. Yes, Non-Jae is the largest Japanese style pub or izakaya here in Hakuba. What is the difference between say a British Pub and an Izakaya? Well, in a British pub you usually go for the drinking but in a izakaya you enjoy eating and drinking. It’s the best of both worlds. Some visitors are not used to Japanese style izakaya dining? For them we recommend a set menu which starts from 2,100yen. This makes ordering easy. After a couple of visits the customers start ordering from the a la carte menu. Fresh local Shinshu salmon are popular with our non-Japanese guests. What is a special feature of Non-Jae? Customers can come in from the cold outside and relax in front of our roaring log fire. I see Genghis Khan on your menu? Yes, Genghis Kan is named after the Mongolian leader. The skillet is dome shaped to represent the soldiers’ helmet. The grilled lamb dish is popular in winter. After dining what do you suggest? If you are in Japan then you have to try karaoke! We have karaoke rooms at the back of the restaurant for hire. Remember if you haven’t sung karaoke while you are here you haven’t truly been to Japan.

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On the Olympic Road just along from the Mizuho Lawson, you’ll find a little log cabin, a caravan and a big tent (the “base camp”) that make up “Little Alaskan & Small Cabin”, the place to go in Hakuba for delicious hand-made hamburgers. Owner and chef Kohei’s proudest creation is his “Big! AK burger”. It’s an Alaskan-sized double-decker with onion rings, red cheddar cheese, bacon, and sautéed mushrooms topped with spicy smoked barbecue sauce and cream dressing. Plenty of juicy goodness so watch it doesn’t dribble on your jacket! Put some fries on the side and you’ll be all set for a big night out.

hat is Yakiniku? Towards the top of the main Echoland St you will find Marukame Yakiniku Restaurant. Yaki means to grill, niku means meat. We call it delicious!

Yakiniku originated in Korea and has become a primarily Japanese dish. It is often referred to as Japanese BBQ outside of Japan. It is a great form of interactive dining because you have to grill the meat yourself. Beef is the most common, and generally most popular, option for yakiniku. Pork, chicken, squid, and a variety of shellfish are also used. Meats and vegetables are prepared for you at your own personal yakiniku table. This has a hot plate heated by charcoal. But you would be wrong to think it was just any old charcoal, it’s special Binchtan charcoal that burn virtually smoke free leaving your food tasting ultra fresh and absolutely free of any hint or smoke. We all learn something new everyday! The meat are usually thinly sliced and you can cook these in about 30 to 40 seconds. For other items such as sliced vegetables, cook for about two to three minutes. Dip the meats into one of Marukame’s signature dipping sauces to enhance the BBQ flavor. Don’t forget, no Yakiniku experience can be complete without Japanese sakè.

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Do you know Wagyu? Wagyu, which is literally translated as Japan (Wa) and beef (gyu), refers only to meat that is reared from Japanese cattle being mainly from the breed Japanese Black. This specialty of Japanese cuisine has been marketed extensively in both Australia and America in more recent times with consumers in those countries becoming increasingly fond of this type of beef. Similarly to Champagne and other local specialties from around the World, Wagyu beef can only be named as such if the particular cut of meat originates from certain areas of Japan. There are many urban stories about how cattle are raised for the production of Wagyu in Japan. Some farmers have been known to play their cattle soothing music, hand massage them and even providing them with beer and Japanese sake as part of their diet! We’re never too sure whether these amusing stories are true but if you want to eat the “Real Wagyu” here in Hakuba, then head over to Echoland where you can enjoy Japan’s finest meat.

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The Alpine Grill can be found half-way up on the main Echoland Street, serves locally bred Wagyu-Shinshu. Shinshu is the traditional name for Nagano Prefecture. The cattle are blessed with clean air and an abundance of fresh water from the Japanese Alps. Not only are the beef locally bred but most of the ingredients are locally sourced by the restaurant’s chef/manager who has worked in many first class restaurants and hotels both in Japan and internationally. The meat is cooked on volcanic lava rocks to enhance the flavor when cooking under intense heat. Sanno is conveniently located next to Echoland Onsen, specializes in Yonezawa Wagyu. These steaks are rated A4 and A5, the highest rankings in the Japanese system that grades the meat. Sanno has a Wagyu set where you can try both rib-lion and tenderloin. The restaurant has a relaxing ambience and again should be noted for the warm hospitality where you can enjoy first class Wagyu for half the price you would pay in Tokyo or Osaka. The restaurant does get very busy during winter so it is essential to book ahead.

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The Boarding Co

Kikyo-Ya

Ohta Yakkyoku Pharmacy Bar +1

Sanroku Tours The Boarding Co

Emu Sakura Real Estate Bamboo Cafe & Bar

Gravity Worx Tankis Yamatoya Sports

or a change of pace, the main Hakuba station area provides a good alternative night out with both established and relatively newer eateries, some of which enjoy heavy local custom. Make your way down to the station by bus or by taxi, or if you are feeling fit, it is about a 20 minute walk from Echoland and about 30 minutes from lower Wadano. For those who need some retail therapy – the station area is home to the best ski and snowboard shops in town, Yamatoya and The Boarding Co.

Hi Mayumi – thanks for your time. Gravity Worx seems to have been around a long time. 1994 is when we first opened! We love Hakuba. I still try to ski every morning in winter, after that I open up the restaurant. It’s good then to share the morning stories with our customers. How good is your English? Well, good enough to explain our specials or tell you how much I love you, but not good enough to explain why air tickets are so freaking expensive. We’re very hungry tonight what do you recommend? Delicious piping hot homemade pizza or pasta with our original sauce and homegrown vegetables. Actually most of our ingredients are grown in our garden. Besides going for a ski on the mountain – what other things do you do in your free time? Free time!! What’s that! No, actually I find time to enjoy the mountains and the ocean or sometimes I just kickback on the sofa. Do you find any differences between Japanese and foreign customers? Not really, we provide the same food, drinks and entertainment to everyone!

ove coffee ? Then you'll love Bamboo Coffee Bar at Hakuba station. Since 2008 Bamboo's mission has been to save Hakuba from mediocre coffee, and every cup of coffee created by Bamboo's baristas since then has helped Bamboo in its quest. So share the love at Bamboo - where J-coffee is consigned to history.

akuba locals know the secret at Tanukis Sports Café and Bar is awesome tasting burgers and pizzas at prices that will leave a lot of change in your pockets. For those who need a sports fix while away, Tanukis broadcast live sporting events including cricket, soccer and rugby on large plasma screens. Watch out for their weekly specials and don’t forget happy hour from 3.00 to 5:00 every weekday. Ask the friendly properties Yuki or Lily to sing the Tanukis song for you!

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GORYU

Fushya

Snowside Goryu Condo

Subway Haagen Dazs

Hotel Stella Belle Spicy Goryu

Hakuba Mountain Lodge & Cabin

Little Alaskan

Aqua Alpine

B The Boarding Co

Mt. Blanc

oryu is the area located below the Goryu Ski Area Toomi slopes and Escal Plaza base building. It is about a 10 minute taxi ride from Echoland and about 15 minutes from Happo & Wadano. Rail access is via nearby Kamishiro Station. The area remains extensively wooded, providing a pretty and secluded setting for several notable lodges, bars, and restaurants, testimony to the enduring popularity of Goryu Ski Area.

B&B Santana

Annex

Bike Bar Hakuba Forest House Jimmys House Arriba Arriba

Phoenix Wing

Pizzakaya

Kamishiro Station

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Michi No Eki

uilt in the boom-time 80s for a cost close to $1 million and abandoned shortly after, owner Ross McCain styled his new venue on his passion for motorbikes and was the inspiration for the refit and the name Bike Bar now throbs to the sound of live music and DJs at least three nights a week. In line with Bike Bar’s emphasis on fun, food is a modern take on old favourites, the so-called “dude food” that is the hottest trend in Australia right now, with top-quality hamburgers, soup and gourmet pizzas, all made from scratch. “Those burgers are ummm, yummmm!”

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e like Speedy Gonzales and Arriba Arriba over to Goryu to sample healthy California style Mexican cuisine and tapas at well named Arriba Arriba Restaurant. Make sure you try their homemade habanero sauce with the chilies grown right outside. There is a great selection of beer and wine to wash and cool down ones taste’s buds. A Mexican restaurant wouldn’t be complete without tequila and margaritas, luckily Arriba Arriba has this covered serving the best in town.

What kind of Food do you serve at Canada Tei? A mixture of teppanyaki food. Teppanyaki means to cook food on a steel hot plate. We make a wide range of teppan foods including Wagyu beef, okonomiyaki and yaki soba or fried noodles as you call them in English. Ah, teppanyaki is where the chef cooks the food in front of the customer; do you do some kind of performance? Just ask! All the chefs look alike. That’s right. It’s a family run business, though my father doesn’t cook so much these days. He’s usually busy talking to the customers. Where does the name Canada Tei come from? My father loves Canada. He actually wants to retire there someday. The restaurant is in the basement of a traditional Canadian log house. Tei means a place to eat and stay. What do you do in the summer months? You know what I do! I am a painter. I painted the Hakuba Connect offices! www.hakubaconnect.com

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Serving authentic Japanese style dishes cooked in front of you

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ropping!” he yelled out as the camera reels rolled into action, the heli hovered above and the perfect line opened up below him. Four or five massive turns, some sluff management and then straight-line-it out the bottom. Smiles and cheers all around, all in a days work for big mountain freerider right. Yeah they make it look so easy, and it makes us all want to do it like them. The allure of the most epic lines and the freedom of fresh powder fields calls to pretty anyone who has spent any time on a snowboard or skis. Blazing your own trail and making your turns off a face is what off-piste skiing is all about. Accessing the backcountry terrain has also seen a real gain in popularity with split-boards, great touring skis and many companies flaunting other backcountry specific gear. However, having the ambition and ability to get into the backcountry does not always equate to the best choice for your longevity on this planet. The snow slides of the mountain, you are in the way, end of story. In most cases, it is the skier or rider that triggers the slide that takes them or others out and the avalanche doesn’t care if you are a hot skier or not. Those who duck the posted ropes, ignore signs or venture outside of ski area boundaries should know that each year people die in Hakuba doing exactly the same thing. It is easy to get in over your head very easily and very quickly, but even with a small

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amount of knowledge and a healthy respect for these mountains, you can make wise decisions to reduce potential risks.

Lots of snow = awesome, steep slopes = great terrain, put them together and you don’t always get the sweetest outcome. The following questions and recommendations are a brief run down of what off-piste enthusiasts should be aware of prior to heading out. Pre-trip Do you have proper training and experience to go outside of controlled resort areas? Do you know your route? Have a map & compass? Have an alternate route plan? Have you checked the weather for today, as well as the weather over the past week? Have you checked recent avalanche bulletins and reports? Do you understand them? Does your group have an experienced “leader” who can make informed decisions to ensure your group’s safety in and out of

the backcountry? Do you have the appropriate gear for self-rescue? Is it in working condition? Have you informed someone of your planned route, back-up route and return time? Do you know emergency contact numbers in case of an accident? Do you have insurance? Backcountry rescues are expensive! Gear Do all members of your party have appropriate winter clothing? Do all members of your party have the essential avalanche transceiver (beacon), probe and shovel? More importantly do they know how to use them in a rescue situation? Do you have a first-aid kit? Rescue gear? Cell phone? Radio? Emergency overnight gear? Do you have enough food and water? Do you have a method of ascending? Ski touring bindings & skins/ snowshoes/split-board. During Trip If you are departing via a ski resort, did you fill out a trip route card? What is the weather doing now? Will this affect the stability of your intended route? Is everyone in your group comfortable with the terrain your route takes you into? Are you making safe and informed route decisions for your party? Are there other parties in the area? Will your route affect them? Will their route affect you? Who is above you/below you? Are there signs of recent avalanche activity? Whoomphing? Shooting cracks? Debris? Are you constantly reassessing the snow stability and your groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability? If you are unsure about the snow stability, stay to simple terrain away from avalanche start zones and run out zones and do not exceed your experience or ability! If you are unsure about the terrain itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best to get a guide to take you safely out in the backcountry and enrolling on an avalanche safety course is also a first step in acquiring knowledge that will invariably help you survive. Slide safe out there!

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THE AVALANCHE SKILLS TRAINING (AST) COURSES The Avalanche Skills Training (AST) courses have been developed by the Canadian Avalanche Center and are considered the international standard in recreational avalanche training. The AST trajectory is well suited to all backcountry recreationists whether skiing, boarding or snowmobiling. For anyone wanting to learn how to recognize avalanche terrain, how to choose safe routes in avalanche terrain and learn more about decision making and rescue, the AST 1 and AST 2 courses will provide you with a good base.

avalanches from profesional lecturers over drinks in a casual atmosphere. For private dates or queries contact tours@evergreen-outdoors.com or call 0261-72-5150.

Instructors David Enright is the Director and Chief Guide at Evergreen Outdoor Center, NPO ACT (Avalanche Control Team) Founding Member and Forecaster, Professional Member of the Canadian Avalanche Association and has instructed on recreational & professional avalanche courses for over a decade in Japan and Canada. Bill Glude is the Director and Chief Industrial Consultant at Alaska Avalanche Specialists, Snow Scientist and creater of the AK Block test, Professional Member of the American Avalanche Association, veteran Avalanche Forecaster and Instructor for multiple Universities and Guide Schools in Alaska. On every 2nd and 4th Wednesday, from January to March Roots Cafe will be hosting an â&#x20AC;&#x153;Avalanche Nightâ&#x20AC;? which is open to everyone. The evening is an opportunity to learn about

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Here at Hakuba Connect we are big believers in using the ski school as opposed to teaching kids to ski on your own. Good, kid-focused ski instructors are trained to connect with your children and teach them core skills while keeping it fun and safe. Kids all learn differently; some are visual, others are auditory, others again are kinesthetic. Professional instructors have an array of techniques to meet your child’s specific needs. Many parents who have skied all their lives will still not know how to teach the mechanics of skiing. Happo-one ski school, Evergreen Outdoor Center and Hakuba Snow Sports all have native English speaking instructors. Hopefully you will not get separated from your children, but just in case, it is wise to arrange a meet-up spot in advance. Keep the landmark simple and easy to spot, such as a restaurant, gondola or piste marker. It is also a good idea to write the name of your accommodation and their phone number on a piece of paper in a secure pocket of your child’s ski suit.

Keep it FUN!! Kid Ski Free Children under elementary school age (i.e., up to six years old) can ride the lifts for free at all the Hakuba ski resorts. Moreover watch out for “Kids Days”, mainly on Sundays, where the bigger kids can also ski for free.

Halfpipes jumps and rail slides are the way to go for the teenagers. Hakuba 47 has the best park in the valley with Happo-one’s Freestyle slowly catching up.

Best Eats for Kids

Here’s a list of of restaurants serving up some familiar tastes.

Hakuba Goryu:

Subway and Haagen Daaz are located in the Escal Plaza base area.

There is MOS Burger over at Iimori Base area. MOS means Mountain Ocean & Sky.

Hakuba 47: Luis has great selection of freshly baked pizza. Happo-One: SnowPlaza at Sakka Base Area do great home-made burgers. Tsugaike Kogen : K.F.C. Hakuba Cortina: Make your own pizza. Kids will love it !

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Hakuba Happo-One The flagship ski area of Hakuba

appo-One (pronounced two kilometers at the foot of “oh-nay”) is Hakuba’s the mountain. oldest, largest and most central ski hill. Happo 1. Nakiyama - Home to the offers riders a leg-burning Olympic Ski Jump and the thousand meters of top to Happo Ski School. bottom skiing 2. Shirakaba with stunning FAST FACTS views of Adam Gondola, Hakuba’s three Lifts 23 the fastest way up symbolic peaks. Courses 13 the mountain. Host to the Elevation 1071m 3. Kokusai - Access men’s and to Lower Wadano women’s bluer- Beginner 30 (Tokyu, Mominoki ibbon downhill Intermediate 50 Hotels), Evergreen and super giant Advanced 20 Ski School. slalom events at the 1998 Nagano Longest course 8000m 4. Sakka – Olympics, Happo www.happo-one.jp “Snow Chao” kids’ is the one hill 0261-72-3066 area, access to not to miss in Hakuba. Orientation The Upper Wadano (La Neige resort has four numbered etc.), Happo Freestyle Park. base areas that extend over Lifts rise from all four areas

to two mid-mountain zones, Usagidaira and Kurobishi, and then run alongside the resort’s steepest courses to a single ridge. The four or five main courses down from mid-mountain are linked; look

out for the signs and try to carry some speed because the tracks between them have little gradient. Make sure you end the day at the right area, because it can be a long walk home!

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Beginners Beginners should head out to the Sakka area where the gentle slopes will get you linking turns in no time at all. There is the Snow Chao kids’ area with a magic carpet, tobaganning, and a banked tubing course where conditions vary from great fun to genuinely hairraising! There is also a cat track from the top of the gondola back down to Sakka. Easily missed, head down the left side of the Panorama slope and look for the track heading left just below the lift. As a rule, this kind of long cat track is more suited to skiers than snowboarders. Intermediates A favourite is the Panorama slope just below the top of the gondola. It’s wide and well groomed with three lifts to keep you moving. Of the routes down from midmountain, Reisin Slalom to skiers’ right from Usagidaira provides great mogul-free

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cruising all the way to Nakiyama or via a cattrack back to the gondola. The easiest advice to lower intermediates is to not go higher than the gondola. Advanced Try your hand at the 1998 Winter Olympic men’s and ladies downhill courses. The Olympians (except famously Herman Maier) finished in about two minutes. See how long it takes you. Powder Hounds first come, first served! The upper part of Happo is mostly ungroomed, so get yourself on the gondola when it opens. Catch the Alpen lift up to the Pilar Café (formerly the Virgin Café) to hit Usagidaira. If you see one of the Kurobishi lifts moving (the longer one seems to run mainly at weekends now), head over to that side but watch out for buried moguls! Cruise past the restaurant there and down Skyline for some of the best powder that Hakuba has to

offer. Get your breath back on the lift before you embark on another slide through the powder wonderland! Local Knowledge Happo’s long-established heritage as a ski resort brings an older Japanese crowd and the majority of visitors ski rather than snowboard. This has led to some concluding that Happo offers little to snowboarders, but we think this is based on image and perhaps the resort abandoning its half pipe. Happo is a great place to free ride on a snowboard! Japanese flock to Happo at weekends and New Year, creating bottlenecks at the more obvious parts of the resort, principally the gondola. Use other lifts like Skyline if possible. Take an early lunch at 11am and you’ll get seated comfortably in the restaurant and will have an hour or so of

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relative peace on the slopes afterwards. Some of the restaurants can get quite chaotic, especially if you’re trying to sit and feed a group. The top lift is surprisingly the last to open since a large depression has to fill with snow. Later in the season, also look out for the Happo Freestyle Park on the Kita One course at the top of the Sakka Quad lift. A kids’ course composed of some banking and some whoops is also built near the Olympic Scoreboard at Sakka. To go with the Japanese ski resort staples of ramen noodles and katsu

(pork cutlet) curry, Happo underwent a burger renaissance last year and you can now enjoy delicious gourmet versions at the Café Bakery in the Usagidaira Terrace at mid-mountain and the Sakka

Plaza on the Sakka side at the base. For a change from typical ski resort fayre, head down to the Nakiyama area to Bangkok-ya, a small cozy restaurant run by telemarkers serving Thai curries.

Hakuba 47 & Hakuba Goryu Big Mountain Skiing

touches (yes, he linked resorts of friendly Hakuba 47 and Goryu cowgirls!), we think you’ll see form Hakuba’s most why these resorts have popular hill in terms of visitor grown in relative popularity numbers. Both resorts can be even as the Japanese popularidden using the same lift tion as a whole has moved ticket. Hakuba 47 is Hakuba’s away from skiing. newest resort and a young, snowboarder-friendly vibe Orientation emanates from its excellent Hakuba 47 – the name comes from terrain park. At “four seasons, the top, it links FAST FACTS to Goryu, seven days a Lifts 19 named after the week” – has a Courses 23 four diamondssingle base area Elevation 926m with a large, in-a-diamond Beginner 35 free car park. peak of the Intermediate 40 majestic Mt. From here, the Advanced 25 distinctive darkGoryu in the Longest course: distance. Goryu green gondola Hakuba Goryu 5000m takes you on a the resort has Hakuba 47 6400m great views, short journey http://goryu47.com alongside the wide intermedi0261-75-2101 Goryu Iimori 0261-75-2636 kickers and the ate slopes, and Hakuba 47 0261-75-3533 plenty of choice half-pipe to for beginners. With numer- midmountain. A short run to ous events throughout the skiers’ right takes you to the quad lift, Line C and from season and lots of customer-

there, it’s a final short hop on the Line E pair to the resort top and the Goryu slopes. Goryu has two base areas named Toomi and Iimori. The former is home to the gondola that shoots up to the resort top in a single ride. What could be easier? The other lifts only reach partway up the mountain. Wide beginner runs starting from the slope above the Toomi base take you down to the Iimori base. This is home to a kids’ area and some intermediate slopes that see relatively little traffic. Beginners On the 47 side, ride the mid-

mountain courses next door to the park or better still shoot up to the top lift linking 47 with Goryu. At Goryu, beginners are spoilt for choice with the long slope above the Toomi base and many gentle runs over towards the Iimori side that many people tend to miss. Skiers who are just starting out should really head over this way. Iimori also has a roped off sledging area with an array of toys for toddlers. The Toomi base building meanwhile boasts a large indoor play area for younger children. This season Hakuba 47 will have a dedicated kids skiing area complete with

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magic carpet to get up the hill. Advanced Routes 2 and 3 off the quad Note that beginners can at 47 both exceed 30 access the upper slope degrees, with the latter un-groomed. At shared by 47 and Goryu, mostly enjoy the views, and then Goryu, simply do laps top to ride down either gondola if bottom off the gondola, the descent seems too long taking the Champion Expert or daunting. 47 can be ridden and not the switchbacks. from the resort top to the base along cat tracks, but the Powderhounds lack of gradient in some It’s about deep AND steep, so sections makes it hard work the main attraction at 47 is for snowboarders or skiers the runs off the quad. 47 has a managed tree skiing without poles. program called the Double Black Diamond Club, so sign Intermediates At 47, a top-to bottom run up to hit some interesting down Route 1 from the top of terrain. At Goryu, the upper the quad offers about 600 Alps Daira slope is wide and meters of vertical at a steady un-groomed. Lap it up! 20-25 degree pitch. Due to its overall northeasternly Terrain Park orientation, this course is 47 has Hakuba’s best terrain usually rideable to the base park, with a well-maintained even at the resort’s closing in half pipe, kickers that range May! Goryu has a wide inter- from small to veritably huge, mediate slope at the top of and a selection of rails and the gondola with great snow boxes. Two parallel lifts let and three lifts to keep you you hit it again and again. moving. 47’s park is popular with local

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seasonaires who often can’t make first lifts due to work on the breakfast shift. Get up their early and the lineups will usually be short. Night Skiing Goryu offers night skiing every evening until 10pm on the run above the Toomi base. We think it is Hakuba’s longest beginner-friendly course and it’s usually very quiet at night. Before the “nighta” begins, the whole area is freshly re-groomed, so it’s ideal for laying down some trenches. There is something magical about snow when it’s lit up. The temperature does drop once it’s dark, so wrap up well. The restaurants stay open, so you can always pop inside for a hot chocolate. Access from the main tourist areas of Hakuba is via the Nighta Shuttle Bus. Local Knowledge Ski lessons in English are

available from Hakuba Snow Sports who are over on the Iimori side. The familiar tastes of Subway sandwiches and Haagen Daaz ice cream (try Green Tea flavor!) can be had at the Toomi base building, while the 47 base will give you proper thin-crust pizza with Italian and not-soItalian (chicken and seaweed?!) toppings. In case your legs aren’t wobbling enough, they’ll serve you potent Trappist beer, or a refreshing Corona to enjoy while reflecting on another day’s fine sliding. Later in the season when the sun is higher and sets much later, finishing an hour early and relaxing with a beer at the 47 base is highly recommended. 47 also offer snowtubing, your chance to cling to an inner tube while a snowmobile pulls you over lots of bumps. Fun for all the family! Weekend visitors to Goryu should note that Iimori’s overflow carparks are much closer than those at Toomi. If you’re carrying your own and your kids’ skis, every meter uphill counts! As with the other Hakuba resorts, the wind can cause major disruptions, typically a day or two after a big storm. With Goryu and 47, sometimes the gondola will be running at one resort but not at the other. If it’s windy outside, ask your accommodation to check which lifts are running. Going to the right resort may mean the difference between waiting and getting in some turns.

Hakuba Iwatake Ski all the points of the compass

watake stands on its own mountain in front of the extended Japan Alps range. Unlike the other Hakuba resorts, Hakuba Iwatake Snowfield, literally drops over the back side and has slopes on all points of

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the compass. This can provide respite from high winds and ensures some runs will be out of the sun, keeping the snow better for longer. A ride on the gondola gets

you to Iwatake’s summit, see the same traffic as at the from which courses radiate big boys nearby. The resort out in all directions. Easiest has moved away from to miss is the Resort View grooming all its courses and area that is accessed by a cat now leaves several areas to track off to the left as you get lay down some tracks. Due to off the quad lift. This area the high proportion of snowprovides quite varied terrain boarders in the resort’s clienand great views of the three tele, Iwatake remains almost completely free Hakuba peaks. On Iwatake’s front of the moguls FAST FACTS side, the wide you will find in ungroomed areas course along the elsewhere. A quad offers great number of park vistas of Happo-One items are also and the alpine provided along terrain above. another easilyFrom the resort missed course, top, there is only this time to one way down to lookers’ right of the base – follow the restaurant at the signs and check the map if www.hakuba.jp/iwatake the top. visibility is poor. 0261-72-2474 Midway there is Intermediate riders the “Corridor”, a should be able to flat section where beginners enjoy the whole hill, while should stay left to allow beginners can stay low or others to pass. take the gondola and ride a number of courses with lifts The resort has a number of back up to the summit powder pockets that do not restaurant.

Tsugaike Kogen Intermediate paradise

ocated about 10km north of central Hakuba but accessible by a number of bus services, Tsugaike rises up the foothills of Shirouma-dake, the mountain from which Hakuba takes its name. Tsugaike has top-to-bottom vertical that rivals Happo One, but more gradual gradients that offer extended runs to a greater range of abilities. Possibly the best word to summarize the resort would be “cruisy”. Orientation is simple with the Eve Gondola climbing the center of the main resort in two stages. First is a short hop over very gentle slopes to a mid-mountain area where you can jump on or off, or more likely stay on to reach

is groomed, which may disappoint powder hounds, but means hardly any of the moguls that develop on other resorts’ ungroomed areas between storms. Tsugaike provides smooth respite to those who struggle in the bumps. You can really open it up and let the scenery fly by.

the higher upper area. From there you can take a number of routes down to skiers’ right or take a further lift up to the main ridge course. Tsugaike has a further area north of the gondola to lookers’ right, originally a separate ski area. It tends to be very quiet.

Advanced riders are best off hiring a guide and hiking above the resort. We’re not going to say where, but great options lie just a short bootpack away. The combination of high snowfall, high winds, and fluctuating temperatures makes this genuine avalanche terrain, so do not venture out lightly.

Almost all of Tsugaike’s terrain

A fine snowpark is built near the resort’s summit late in the season - there’s too much snow to do it earlier! Tsugaike’s biggest draw though is the expansive beginner area at the bottom where ten lifts service Hakuba’s widest piste. When not buried in powder, this area offers a nice easy introduction to sliding on snow.

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Hakuba Cortina Steep, deep & one big hotel

t the north end of the valley, Hakuba Cortina Ski resort rises behind the imposing Bavarian-style Green Plaza Hotel with its criss-crossed black beamwork and large red roof. You will never lose your bearings while skiing here! As the closest resort to the sea, Cortina regularly records the highest amount of snowfall in the valley. It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just snow at Cortina, it dumps! When Happo-One and Goryu up the valley will report 20cm of fresh snow, Cortina will probably receive about 50cm! Not content with having the valleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest hotel and heaviest snowfall, Cortina is also famous for having the steepest pistes, one of which averages

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36 degrees and touches 42 degrees in places. Above the hotel itself extends a long central beginner run. However, steep slopes rise to encircle this run, making the upper part essentially a huge bowl. This is why you may have heard about the resort in hushed tones. The resort operates a self-responsibility code with resort visitors riding the trees at their own risk. At Hakuba Connect, we applaud this progressive approach, we love riding their terrain, and we urge all readers to respect the few rules they have. If they mark an area as out-of-bounds or closed, it will be for a reason. For the more adventurous,

Hakuba Norikura A great day out

akuba Norikura is linked to its neighresort, bouring Hakuba Cortina, which can be ridden using the same pass if you buy the combined resort ticket. We think this is a must as it doubles the terrain that you can enjoy.

resorts, a great stage for building up confidence in the powder.

Many visitors to Hakuba do not give Norikura much of a thought, but we think it could be the valley’s most underrated resort. When combined with Cortina, it certainly offers a lot of different options.

Hakuba Norikura has a good sized park for freestlyers and shred fashioners to strut their stuff. The park’s number one feature is the half pipe, which can get a little crowded and very colorful on the weekends.

Cortina also has three gates to access the backcountry, though standard backcountry rules apply. Hungry? For lunch, the mountain has five restaurants to choose from. Warabi dishes up large helpings to satisfy the hungriest of skiers and riders. Best known is the hotel’s ground floor restaurant where they give you a pizza base and let you pile on the toppings yourself to make your very own pizza. Kids will love it. Finally, we must mention that Cortina is home to some of our favourite Hakuba souvenirs, a selection of t-shirts and hats that rework the Puma logo (and animal!) to Shiro-uma or “white horse”, the name of the mountain and of Hakuba itself. Japanese love word gags, and this is a really cool one using the name of our town. Check out the Shirouma gear in the shop in the hotel lobby.

Norikura shares Cortina’s mighty snowfall and extends for a very respectable 600 meters of vertical up the ridge it shares with Cortina. A number of shorter lifts are also aligned along the wide foothills. There’s a great choice for beginners and those who may not have ridden fresh soft snow before. Hakuba Norikura is a weekend warrior kind of place, so during the week, it makes the combination of lots of space, lots of snow, and the lack of crowds that can be found at the larger

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Hakuba Sanosaka The prettiest ski area in the resort

n the south border an easy and pressure-free introbetween Hakuba and duction to freestyle skiing neighbouring Omachi, and snowboarding. Sanosaka Sanosaka is a small family also has SAJ-certified mogul resort with more than initially runs, but the bumps are kept off to the side meets the eye. for those who In addition to FAST FACTS want to ride the slope visible them. on approaching Lifts 5 the resort, a Courses 10 For parents, further two Sanosaka has an areas are tucked Elevation 460m adult and child away higher up. Beginner 40 ski all day for You’d never Intermediate 40 5,500 yen with a think the resort 2,000 yen lunch had 450m of Advanced 20 vertical or five lifts. Longest course 2100m coupon and a rental discount www.sanosaka.com thrown in. The The emphasis is 0261-75-2452 resort’s restauon beginners rants have also with a number of a wide smooth pistes and updated their menus, so you none of the traffic that can be can now make your own found at Happo and Goryu. pizza or have a Thai curry, or The resort overlooks the bakery goodies. For those magnificent Lake Aoki and with toddlers, there is a kids’ spectacular views can be area at the base and a day enjoyed from the higher room where you can have slopes. A large jump is some fun inside away from normally built near the resort the cold. People who drive up base, and further up a to Hakuba overnight should number of beginner-level note that Sanosaka offers a full jumps, boxes and rails provide breakfast buffet from 7:30am.

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Still a good option if you want to avoid the weekend crowds at the larger resorts. or simply want a quiet day with different scenery. When high

winds have stopped operation at the larger resorts, the more sheltered lifts at Sanosaka will often stay open, meaning you don’t have to miss a day.

0261-72-3001

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Phone: +81(0)261-72-3150