The 10 best ski resorts in the Hakuba valley for families

Your guide to Hakuba Valley’s ski resorts

As Japan’s largest alpine area, there’s plenty to explore in Hakuba Valley, including a phenomenal 10 separate resort areas. Here’s what makes each one special.

One lift pass, 10 ski resorts. That’s what is on offer for visitors to Hakuba Valley, the chance to buy one single lift ticket – the Hakuba Valley Day Pass – and have access to 10 separate mountain resorts, each with something unique to offer, and each with something different to appeal to skiers and snowboarders, regardless of their level of on-snow expertise.

We’re talking resorts for powder hounds, for families, for cruisers and for après-ski lovers, and for those who would like nothing better after a long day on the slopes than to soak in a hot-spring bath, surrounded by alpine splendour.

If you’re planning a trip to Hakuba Valley, these are the 10 best options (in no particular order).

1. Jigatake Snow Resort

Hakuba Valley’s southernmost mountain resort Jigatake Snow Resort is perfect for beginners and family groups, with plenty of wide, cruisey runs and a relaxed atmosphere. Those looking to get their hit of adrenaline can always tackle some of the treed runs towards the top of the mountain; however, with a ski lift designed just for children, and spectacular views from the slopes over Azumino, this is a great destination for taking it slow.

2. Kashimayari Snow Resort

Kashimayari Ski Resort, Hakuba Valley, Japan — Kashimayari is a local boutique ski resort in the southern section of the valley.

Working our way towards the north, the next resort is a Kashimayari, a local favourite, and one in which you will be able to experience a truly Japanese atmosphere. Kashimayari is a great place to avoid the crowds of some of the bigger resorts: and although it’s compact, there’s 5000 metres of downhill to enjoy here, plus a snow-tubing park. At the base of the mountain, Central Plaza 1130 offers restaurants, shops, accommodation and outdoor onsen baths.

3. Blue Resort Hakuba Sanosaka (2021-2022 Winter season closed)

Blue Resort Hakuba Sanosaka,Japan — Another intimate ski resort in the southern half of the valley, Sanosaka is great for novice and intermediate skiers and snowboarders.

Sanosaka is another quieter alternative to central resorts such as Happo-one, a modest area that nevertheless has plenty to offer beginners and intermediate skiers and snowboarders, with long, gentle runs and a laid-back, local atmosphere – not to mention incredible views over Lake Aoki. Fun fact: Sanosaka is also dog friendly, so if you fancy meeting a few Japanese pooches, this is the place to do it.

4. ABLE Hakuba Goryu Snow Resort

Ski Resort. Hakuba Goryu, Japan — Goryu is big; three seperate snowfields and 1000m vertical drop it would take days of skiing for it to become at all repetitive.

Goryu is big: we’re talking three separate ski areas here – Alps-Daira, Toomi and Iimori – as well as direct access via gondola to Hakuba47 resort next door. With almost 1000 metres of vertical to play with, you could ski or ride here for days and not get bored. Goryu is renowned for the quality of its snow, as well as its panoramic views of the surrounding Alps. This is a great resort for beginners and families (each ski area has its own childcare facilities and kids’ ski areas), though there’s also plenty of advanced terrain, and a snow park, for the more experienced.

5. Hakuba47 Winter Sports Park

Hakuba47, Snow Resort, Hakuba Valley, Japan — Snowboarders naturally gravitate to Hakuba47 for one of the best terrain parks in the valley.

If halfpipes and massive kickers are your idea of a good time, then Hakuba47 is the place to be. This resort features Hakuba Valley’s best terrain park, with jumps and rails and boxes designed for a range of abilities. There’s also some great tree skiing and riding here. Beginners will still find trails to suit at Hakuba47, and there’s an excellent ski school here too.

6. Hakuba Happo-one Snow Resort

Happo-one Snow Resort, Hakuba Valley, Japan — Steep and deep, Happo-one is the most famous of the Hakuba Resorts, hosting many of the Nagano winter Olympic events.

This is Hakuba’s best known and most popular resort, Happo-one situated right above Hakuba Village, and the obvious spot to begin your Hakuba Valley adventuring. Events for the 1998 Nagano Olympic Games were hosted at Happo-one, and the resort is still well known for its steep runs and epic powder – not to mention more than 1000 metres of vertical. Though the resort is best suited to experienced skiers and boarders, there are child-friendly learner slopes here, plus childcare onsite. Happo-one also has the broadest choice of on-mountain food, and a vibrant après-ski scene.

7. Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field

Skiing, Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort, Japan — Take the gondala to the summit at Iwatake for one of the best views of the valley and mountains. The skiing itself suits the intermediate skiers and snowboarders who prefer wide laid-back gliding terrain.

If it’s a clear day, head on over to Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field and take the gondola to the top: the panoramic views are truly jaw-dropping. Regardless of the weather, however, this is an enjoyable, laid-back resort that’s ideal for intermediate skiers and snowboarders, with plenty of wide, cruisey terrain that generally remains uncrowded. Highlights here include HAKUBA MOUNTAIN HARBOR, a food and beverage outlet at the top of the resort with incredible views, and Iwatake no yu, the onsen at the base of the mountain.

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8. Tsugaike Mountain Resort

Skiing, Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort, Japan — Despite the picture, Tsugaike is ideal for kids and beginners with many long and winding green (easy) runs. And just to make sure everyone has fun there are a few treed runs for the experienced.

Families, look no further than Tsugaike. This place is paradise for children and beginners, with a huge area of wide, gentle green runs on the lower part of the mountain, and longer greens that run top-to-bottom above. Tsugaike offers multilingual ski schools, on-mountain childcare facilities, and several kids’ play areas. There’s also a few treed runs and a terrain park for those with a bit more experience.

9. Hakuba Norikura Onsen Snow Resort

Snow Resort, Mt. Norikura, Japan — Norikura is known for its on-mountain onsen, a soothing way to relax after a hard days skiing.

As the name suggests, Norikura is known for its hot springs, in particular Hakuba Alps Hotel, right at the base of the mountain. There are other reasons to come here too, not least the reliable powder snow, as well as the on-mountain connection to Hakuba Cortina Snow Resort next door. Norikura is very much family friendly, with plenty of gentle trails that will suit all abilities, as well as a dedicated children’s area. For more experienced skiers and riders, there’s also a moguls course, and plenty of tree runs.

10. Hakuba Cortina Snow Resort

Ski Resort 2, Cortina, Japan — Famous for its ample and incredible powder snow, Cortina is a snow lovers paradise.

Cortina is all about snow: bucket-loads of that famous Japanese powder. This resort can receive up to twice as much snowfall as some neighbouring mountains during the season, and reliably delivers the ‘japow’ experience. There’s tree skiing at Cortina, or more open expert and intermediate trails. Cortina does have a reasonable range of beginner runs, too, and boasts ski-in, ski-out accommodation at the 253-room Hotel Green Plaza Hakuba, which also has three restaurants and onsen facilities onsite.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

The 10 best ski resorts in the Hakuba Valley for families