Latest articles about Hakuba

United Airlines Adds Nonstop Flights from Chicago and San Francisco to Japan's Key Ski Gateways

Michael Fulton

May 26, 2026

United Airlines Adds Nonstop Flights from Chicago and San Francisco to Japan's Key Ski Gateways

United Airlines has announced two new nonstop routes to Japan launching this northern autumn. A year-round Chicago to Tokyo Narita service starts October 24, with a seasonal San Francisco to Sapporo's New Chitose Airport route running December to March three times a week. Both airports serve as primary gateways to Japan's most popular ski regions - Nagano and Hokkaido respectively.

Hokkaido

Niseko

Hakuba

Michael Fulton

February 4, 2026

Melbourne Skier Dies in Niseko Backcountry Incident

A 27-year-old Melbourne man has died while skiing unpatrolled backcountry terrain in Niseko, Japan. Michael "Micky" Hurst fell behind his group of seven skiers and was found unconscious on Monday afternoon. He died from a suspected heart attack after being transported to hospital. The incident marks the second fatal accident involving an Australian skier in Japan within days, following the death of Queensland's Brooke Day in a chairlift accident at Hakuba Valley.

Hokkaido

Japan

Niseko

Hakuba

A lonely walker in the deep snow of Japan

Michael Fulton

February 21, 2025

Hakuba's Record-Breaking 2025 Season Hits 13-Year Snowfall High

Hakuba's Happo One ski resort has recorded its highest snowfall total in 13 years, surpassing the previous record of 619cm set in 2014-15. With more than six weeks of potential snowfall remaining, the 2024-25 season is shaping up to be historically significant for the Japanese resort.

Japan

Hakuba