Welcome to Hakuba -Where its so Steep you think you're in Europe, but so DEEP you know you're in Japan.

EASTER HOLIDAY SPECIAL!!!

How Can I afford to ski Japan?

Here's how to do it for Only A$1800 for a full week!

From February through 'till end of the Hakuba snow season in mid-May, there are heaps of flights on Jetstar for around $800 return. You may have to be a bit flexible on your departure or return flight, but there are still of plenty of seats left. Now here's the thing... the later you leave it the easier it gets. More flights and cheaper accommodation. In fact after March 7th Alpine Chalets in Hakuba will take 50% off their room rates, just for you!

For example: you can still get a two story town house with a massive bedroom that sleeps four, all in single beds (no having to bunk to save money and loose sleep). It comes complete with a kitchen, laundry (again you save, or just take your washing home for mum...She still loves you right?), and FREE in room OPTICAL internet with NO download limits! Oh, and of course your own shower and toilet (western style).

Then get an Alpine Resorts 4 to 8 day lift ticket,(can be used on nonconsecutive days) and save some more! Alpine Chalets is a short 5 miniute stroll to the local 7/11 for basic necessities and also the rare but much sought after International ATM, very hard to find in Japan. A 20 minute walk gets you to a large supermarket, the prices here will blow your mind. In a good way I mean, if you compare them to Hotham or Perisher, Whistler or Aspen... where ever, even your own home town. I really don't know why their prices are nearly as cheap as elsewhere in Japan, but I think the Japanese frown on price gouging, it's dishonorable! But GREAT for us! There are two supermarkets in town and both take credit cards. I hate to plug it but there is even a Macca's up near the top of Happo One (Hakuba's best mountain), and prices start from 120 yen for a cheese burger....told you they were cheap. There are quite a few restaurants on Happo, and most meals cost less than 1000 yen.

Getting to Hakuba from Narita can be a bit tricky as the Shinkansens, (fast train which travels at speeds of up to 270km/h, but have a perfect safety record spanning 30 years), leaves from Tokyo, not Narita (1hr away), and only gets you to Nagano (another hour from there). All up costs about the same as a mini Bus/taxi. The Taxi bus holds around 15 people, but if you travel with 4 people or more, you are probably better off hiring a car. Now I know that scares you. The first time I went to Tokyo I hired a car, drove around the airport, then returned it, as I was scared of the signs, but since then the amount of signs in English has improved incredibly.

So, this is what you do...go to the car reservation stands in baggage collection, hire a car for the day with a one way drop off in Nagano, snow tyres and GPS(they will set it for you) and plan a trip to Nagano the day after to return the vehicle with in 24 hours or maybe 48 if you want to look around a bit before skiing (extra days only cost about A$100/day), then catch the bus home at a reasonable hour.

To summarize the cost:-

Flights around A$800. Mini Bus return around A$400 Lift tickets for Happo 3900 Yen/day as above or 4600 on a single day basis Food up to you, but if you want to take advantage of the self contained chalets, you can easily live on 1000 yen/day. Its best to take your own gear as hiring it isn't cheap, but is available and does save you carting it all around. Accommodation on a four share basis will cost 27500 JPY for 10 days!(approx A$450). So for:-

Return Airfares 10 days Accommodation Transfers there and back 6 days skiing at Happo....... Total around A$2000

Return Airfares Transfers there and back 7 days accommodation and 4 Lift tickets brings it down to around A$1800 Plus food and drinking money.

So ... you too can afford to Ski the mystical Alps of Japan's Finest-

HAKUBA..... the Roof of Japan!

This website is dedicated to providing Aussie travellers with Relevant information about Hakuba which is located at the foot of the Hakuba Mountains, belonging to Chubu Sangaku National Park in Nagano, Japan. It is an internationally recognised destination for both Summer and Winter sports.

The Hakuba Valley is a huge expanse of resorts offering an incredible variety of terrain for skiers and snowboarders alike. Situated in the heart of the Japanese Alps, the alpine scenery is truly spectacular with huge rugged peaks towering up to 3000 metres above the town below. From one end of the valley to the other and with 10 resorts accessing over 200 runs, Hakuba is the skiing and snowboarding Mecca of Japan. At the southern end of the valley is Sun Alpina, then to the linked resorts of Hakuba 47 and Goryu-Toomi and on to the Olympic ski resort of Happo-One, situated in the heart of Hakuba. Heading up to the northern end of the valley, is Iwatake, Tsugaike, Norikura and Cortina which are all excellent. Happo One (pronounced Happo-on-eh) Averages 11 metres of snow per year and is steep, wide and open with modern excellent facilities, spectacular views, and operates into May! The Skiing during the March/April Aussie School Holidays is probably better than anything you have ever experienced in the Victorian or New South Wales Alps, and guess what? There is nobody there! Combine that with less than A$70/day lift tickets and cheap off season Accomodation, and you Ski cheaper in Hakuba than you can in your own country! How Come? Better check it out!

When the snow finally melts away, the village is thronged with mountain climbers aiming to tackle the Hakuba Mountains as a break fromTokyo's heat and humidity.

Hakuba is divided into a series of Apres enclaves a short shuttle drive from village to village.

Wadano village has The Pub, frequented mainly by Australians,

Echoland village has a huge selection of Bars and Restaurants for all those that still have energy left for the night life also there is karaoke in private rooms at Non Jays (Gin San's) on Olympic Way, only 1 minute walk from Alpine Chalets.