Hakuba 47
Hakuba 47: 794m vertical, 8 runs, 11m annual snowfall. Epic Pass access. Northern Japanese Alps, Nagano.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
21 Nov 2026
Closes
5 May 2027
Days open
165
Annual snow
11m
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park operates across 794 metres of vertical drop between 820 and 1,614 metres elevation. The resort spans 32 hectares with 8 official runs and receives 11 metres of snowfall annually. The longest run stretches 6.4 kilometres from summit to base.
Terrain distribution favours intermediates with 40 per cent, followed by 30 per cent beginner, 25 per cent advanced and 5 per cent expert. The resort connects to Goryu at the summit via the gondola, creating a combined ski area with shared lift tickets. Hakuba 47's north-facing aspect extends the season into early May with substantial snow cover.
The terrain park ranks among Hakuba Valley's best, featuring 10 kickers up to 20 metres, a half-pipe, rails, boxes and beams. Tree skiing requires registration with the Double Black Diamond Club and wearing provided bibs to access three gated zones. Route 3, a double black mogul run, drops directly above the gondola building.
Epic Pass holders receive five consecutive days across all 10 Hakuba Valley resorts with no blackout dates. The compact layout and mid-mountain cafeteria suit park riders and intermediates more than beginners. Hakuba 47 sits 1.9 kilometres from Kamishiro village and 5 kilometres from Hakuba village centre with regular shuttle bus connections.
794m
Vertical
8
Runs
79 acres
Skiable
11m
Annual snow
Epic Pass
Pass
The Terrain
8 runs across 79 acres skiable
Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park, in Nagano's Hakuba Valley, is a steep-sided, north-facing 32-hectare mountain with a 794-metre vertical between 820 and 1,614 metres. Eight runs are graded 30% beginner, 40% intermediate, 25% advanced and 5% expert, a sharper skew than most of its neighbours. About 11 metres of snow falls annually, and the shaded aspect helps preserve it into spring. The summit connects across to Hakuba Goryu, so the two operate as a shared ski area for anyone holding a combined pass, with plenty of intermediate laps in between.
The park scene is what draws many riders, with a long line of kickers, rails and boxes alongside a halfpipe. Designated tree zones sit off the main trails for those who want soft snow among the conifers, and steeper groomed pitches reward anyone who wants to test their legs. Skiers who prefer steeper groomers will also find enough to keep them busy. Hakuba 47 suits freestylers, confident intermediates and families wanting a compact, easy-to-navigate mountain, but those chasing huge terrain should look to Happo-one or the Goryu side of the link instead.
Terrain split
8
runs
8 runs across 4 grades
Beginner2 runs · 30%
Intermediate3 runs · 40%
Advanced2 runs · 25%
Expert0 runs · 5%
Time it right
When to visit Hakuba 47
The 2025-26 season runs from 5 December 2025 to 29 March 2026, though dates fluctuate based on snowfall. Hakuba 47 typically opens late November to early May alongside Goryu, amongst the earliest in the valley. The completely north-facing aspect preserves snow quality deep into spring with substantial coverage even in late April.
Annual snowfall averages 11 metres across the valley, with cold Siberian air masses crossing the Sea of Japan to dump dry powder. January and February deliver peak powder frequency with 20 to 30 centimetre dumps every few days. Base depth reliability stems from the north-facing terrain and mid-elevation base at 820 metres.
Early December sees limited terrain as the snowpack builds, with full mountain access typically achieved after New Year. Mid-January through February offers the most consistent powder skiing with cold temperatures preserving snow quality. March and April transition to spring corn snow conditions with softer surfaces by mid-morning.
Night skiing operates on Goryu's beginner slopes but not at Hakuba 47. The terrain park maintains features throughout the season with meticulous grooming. Golden Week in late April draws domestic crowds for late-season turns on upper mountain terrain.
Season 2026 - 2027
21 Nov 2026
Opens
5 May 2027
Closes
165
Days open
11 m
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Hakuba 47
Daily snow reports at Hakuba 47 go back to 2025, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
40 cm
Snowiest day
12 Dec 2025
0 cm
This winter · 2026-27
so far
231 cm
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
cm
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Hakuba 47, and where to stay
Hakuba 47 occupies the southern end of Hakuba Valley in Nagano Prefecture at the base of the Northern Japanese Alps. The resort lies within Hakuba village, 1.9 kilometres from Kamishiro and 5 kilometres from Hakuba village centre at 820 metres elevation. The Northern Alps rise to 3,000 metres, dominating the skyline with year-round snow on the highest peaks.
Hakuba village sits in the Kitaazumi district of northwestern Nagano Prefecture, part of the Chubu region on Honshu Island. The valley encompasses the municipalities of Omachi, Hakuba and Otari, forming Japan's largest international mountain resort. The 1998 Winter Olympics brought global recognition, with Happo One hosting alpine skiing events.
Nagano Station serves as the primary gateway, 70 minutes away by Alpico bus for 2,900 yen. The Nagano Snow Shuttle operates direct services taking approximately one hour. Route 148 provides road access through the valley with free parking at two large base lots.
Tokyo Narita and Haneda airports sit 200 kilometres southeast, requiring 5 to 5.5 hours via airport shuttle or 3 to 4 hours by shinkansen to Nagano then bus. The Hokuriku Shinkansen covers Tokyo to Nagano in 90 minutes. One daily Azusa express train runs direct from Shinjuku to Hakuba Station in 3 hours 41 minutes, eliminating transfers for early arrivals.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Stays map loads when you scroll here
Hotels and lodges near Hakuba 47, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Hakuba 47's ski season?
Hakuba 47's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from November 21 through May 5. That window is roughly 165 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Chubu, Japan often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Hakuba 47 have?
Hakuba 47 lists about 79 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 8 named runs (32 hectares alongside 79 acres skiable). That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Hakuba 47?
Trail grading at Hakuba 47 breaks down roughly as 30% beginner, 40% intermediate, 25% advanced, 5% expert. The mix is balanced enough for mixed-ability groups, so learners can stay on marked green/blue (Green/Red) terrain while stronger skiers peel off to steeper pitches.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical metres. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Hakuba 47?
Base elevation at Hakuba 47 is about 820 m (2,690 ft), with the summit around 1,614 m (5,295 ft), giving roughly 794 m (2,605 ft) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Hakuba 47 get each season?
Hakuba 47 averages about 1,100 cm (433 inches) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Does Hakuba 47 accept the Epic Pass?
Hakuba 47 is affiliated with the Epic Pass. Pass holders should confirm current season benefits, blackout dates, and reservation rules on the pass issuer's site. Policies change year to year and can differ between international and domestic products.
If you are not on Epic Pass, day tickets and multi-day bundles are still available; see the lift tickets page for published rates and purchase links.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Hakuba 47 before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 2 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Hakuba 47 so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Hakuba 47 have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Hakuba 47. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Hakuba 47 located?
Hakuba 47 sits in Chubu, Japan. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Val Gardena to Alpe di Siusi Lift Link Back in Play After Court Ruling
The Val Gardena-Alpe di Siusi lift link isn’t dead after all. A South Tyrol court has overturned Santa Cristina’s rejection of the new Monte Pana-Saltria link on procedural grounds, after the council skipped required public information sessions. Opponents want the missing sessions held and a fresh vote, and nothing has been approved. For now it’s still a bus between the two, but a plan first floated in 2017 is back in the conversation.
8 Nov 2026
Whistler Blackcomb Rockslide Zone Stays Closed Through 2026-27 Season
A section of Whistler Peak terrain will stay closed all 2026-27 season, Vail Resorts has confirmed, with rockslide mitigation work continuing into summer 2027. Peak Express is still expected to run this winter, but locals are already arguing about what’s actually off limits, whether the Whistler Bowl is gone, and why the news landed after pass sales wound down. Here’s where things stand.
7 Nov 2026
Loveland Ski Area Opens for 2026-27 and Marks 60 Years of Snowmaking
Loveland is open. The Colorado ski area started Chet’s Dream turning on Saturday 7 November to kick off 2026-27, with $60 adult lift tickets to mark 60 years of snowmaking. Expect three runs, nearly 1,000 vertical feet (about 300 metres) of top-to-bottom skiing, live music on the Basin Patio and no beginner terrain yet. Here’s what’s open, what it costs and when Loveland Valley follows.
7 Nov 2026
KFC Is Coming to the Slopes at Cortina and Madonna di Campiglio
Fried chicken is heading up the Dolomites. From 5 December KFC will run two restaurants on the slopes - one at 2,123 metres at Cortina, one at 1,700 metres at Madonna di Campiglio - and the polenta-and-canederli crowd has opinions. Local politicians, conservation groups and plenty of Facebook commenters are calling it a step too far, while others just want a cheaper lunch. Here’s what’s on the menu and what’s the fuss.
5 Nov 2026
Mt Rose Aims to Open First in Tahoe on November 6
Mt Rose is going for the first-in-Tahoe title, with the Lakeview Express due to spin at 9 a.m. on Friday, November 6. One main lift, three runs and plenty of snowmaking, sitting on the highest base elevation in the region at 8,260 ft. Here is what is open, what is not (sorry, tubing fans), and how the early North American openings are stacking up.
4 Nov 2026
Europe Snow Forecast: Serre Chevalier Leads With 82 cm Over the Next 10 Days
Europe has had a quiet start to November, but our 10-day forecast has Serre Chevalier on 82 cm and Les 2 Alpes on 71 cm. Two pushes are lined up: a western Alps top-up from Friday, then a bigger, wider system on Thursday, November 12 and Friday, November 13 that reaches Italy and Switzerland. Full leaderboard inside.
4 Nov 2026
Mammoth Mountain Opens Early on November 5 With Up to 33 Inches of Snow in the Forecast
Mammoth just moved opening day forward to Thursday, November 5, eight days ahead of schedule. A snowy weekend and cold snowmaking nights did the work, and our forecast shows up to 33 inches more landing on November 13 and 14. Here is what opens, what the weather looks like and where Mammoth sits among the early Ikon Pass openers.
3 Nov 2026
Utah Snow Storm Builds Early-Season Base Ahead of November Openings
Rain down low, snow up high, and a snow report full of zeros that mostly means ‘not updated yet’. Utah’s first proper storm of 2026-27 is rolling through the Wasatch, Snowbird’s snow stake is closing in on 10 inches, and Brian Head is five days from opening day. Early November snow rarely looks like much, but it is the layer every November opening date is built on. Here is where it stands.
1 Nov 2026