CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING Host of the  Nagano Olympics’ Cross-country events,  Hakuba has four  courses  to select from for the nordically inclined from early December through late March. The Olympic course is 200¥ and free at the other 3 courses.  Gear can be hired at all the resorts or at all the main Hakuba rental shops. The Nagano `98 Olympic Cross-country course (aka Kogijo Snow Harp) Courses – 5km (beginners), 3.3km (beginners), 6 km (intermediate/advanced) Hakuba Iwatake Cross-country course Courses – 1km (beginners), 3km (all levels), 5km (all levels) Tsugaike Kogen Cross-country course Courses – 3km (all levels) SNOWSHOEING A day of snowshoeing can be one of the highlights of your stay in Hakuba.  There are beautiful low-lying ares in close proximity to the lodge where you can hear only the sound of the snow crunching under foot while you make your way through the snow-covered forests and traditional Shinto shrines.  For the more adventurous,  head up one of Hakuba’s many spectacular ridges that  are seemingly custom made for snowshoeing while taking in the full scale beauty of the Northern Alps. Pack a lunch and have a winter picnic, catch a glimpse of  a kamoshika (wild Japanese serrows), or get a guide to take you to hidden hot springs. Snowshoe gear and guides can be hired at nearby Evergreen Outdoor Center. **Check out their evening Snowshoe and Chocolate Fondue tour!** www.evergreen-hakuba.com/wintertours/snowshoe.php

THINGS TO DO HIKING Hakuba is located in the northern part of the Japanese alps which is the largest national park in Japan and considered to be the mountaineering and hiking mecca of Japan. There are hundreds of trails criss-crossing the mountain range and hikes ranging from short walks to multi day expeditions. The resorts of Happo, Goryu/47, and Tsugaike are open all season and offer a convenient entry point to higher altitudes. SHORT WALKS Happo Ike. Happo pond is a small pond situated at over 2100m on the crest of the ridge leading down from Karamatsu Dake. Amazing views of The three biggest peaks in Hakuba, Yari, Shakushi and Shirouma can be seen reflected in the water of the pond on a clear day. It takes about 40mins walk from the top lift of Happo to get there. Tsugaike. At about 1900m altitude, above Tsugaike ski resort there lies a high flat boggy area. In May after the snow melts the Mizubasho flowers and the whole area is carpeted in white. You can also see the unusual sight of fully leafed trees surrounded by snow in late May/early June. In summer the Nikko-Kisuge flowers and this time the whole place explodes with gold. The bog is reached by a20minute walk from the top of the Tsugaike ropeway. Kotoomi. This hike starts at the top of the Goryu resort gondola and follows the ridge up past Jizo no atama and the Jizonuma marsh where wild flowers bloom in July and August, finally climbing up the ridge to the summit of Kotoomi at 2009m. From the top there area mazing views of Kashimayari dake and Goryu Dake. Kamoshika trail. A short looped trail leading through deciduous forest with the chance of spotting Kamoshika (A kind of deer-antelope) LONGER HIKES Karamatsu Dake. A three or four hour […]

An almost spring like day but with perfect powder from top to bottom on north aspects.  

North faces still have perfect power conditions from top to bottom as we found out today behind Goryu.

An almost spring like day but with perfect powder from top to bottom on north aspects.

A consistent few weeks of cold temperatures and good regular powder dumps finished with warmer air coming in a few days ago. Evidently the northern faces didn’t realise this as the snow was still deep and pristine on any northern aspect from top to bottom as these pics show! Beautiful powder and stunning weather – what more could you ask! On the way up Roger dropping off the ridge between Ichinose and Ko-toomi Perfect powder! Looking back up from the Hirakawa

A high alpine assault of KoRenge (2760m) didn’t disappoint! A beautiful morning saw a group of locals. plus Bill from Alaska and Hans from Norway hiking out from the top of Tsugaike to their target the top of Ko-renge. The plan was to get up quickly following windblown ridge lines and descend south to SaruKura but a combination of early season unfitness, soft snow (not much wind during the last snowfall) and setting off 40 minutes later than planned meant we had to curtail the trip slightly. We ended up dropping off the corniced north east ridge of Korenge. The first bowl started over 50 degress but mellowed out below into a wide open bowl followed by perfect powder down to the flats of Shizenin below. Heres a pic of the drop in below. And some video of dropping in the same place. Mat on Korenge from steep deep japan on Vimeo. Matt on Korenge All in all a pretty Sick day!

Great Christmas! Two 11kilo Turkeys, all the trappings, roast veggies, and 40cm of fresh snow! = Lots of happy guests.