About Hakuba
Bookings for 2008/09
It's not too late to book your accommodation at Gladerunner Lodge for this Japanese ski season!
Enquiries Welcome
Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions regarding a stay at Gladerunner Lodge, or skiing and snowboarding in Hakuba. We're happy to offer expert, local advice on the best way to get here, how to get the most out of your stay, and what you can expect from Hakuba's incredible snow conditions.
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Join us in our Winter wonderland
Each winter, weather systems from Siberia travel south across the Sea of Japan, picking up moisture as they go. Once over Japan these weather systems meet the warm systems moving northwards from the equator, the result is a monster dump virtually unmatched anywhere else in the world. With the Hakuba Valley receiving 11metres of snow annually you wont need to worry about snow conditions when you book with us in advance.
Hakuba, Japan
Hakuba is internationally known as being a first class resort with an incredible variety of terrain and highest snowfall in Japan. The host of the 1998 Winter Olympics it is only 4 hours from Tokyo and offers a real Japanese experience combined with a vibrant nightlife. The Hakuba Valley is right in the middle of the Japanese Alps which offers the steepest runs in Japan, terrain parks and half pipes, tons of dry powder, over 200 runs, and state of the art lifts and gondolas. Or if you are after some easy groomers Hakuba has it all!!!
At the southern end of the Hakuba Valley is Sun Alpina which incorporates 3 ski areas with spectacular views of Lake Aokiko at the foot of the mountain, next is the linked resorts of Hakuba 47 and Goryu-Toomi which will challenge everyone from beginners to experts. Further along is Happo-One the site of the downhill, slalom and ski jumping events at the Nagano 1998 Winter Olympics. With wide-open powder fields and long groomed trails set amongst stunning alpine views. The scenery is truly breath-taking with the huge rugged peaks towering above the town below.
At the northern end of the Hakuba Valley is Iwatake which is well suited to beginners and intermediates with long cruising trails allowing non-stop uninterrupted skiing, Tsugiake with its board park, and Cortina with its light, dry, deep powder and ungroomed trails. Hakuba provides an abundant variety of terrain for all levels which truly makes it the skiing mecca of the Japanese Alps.
Transportation Services
GENKI GO bus you can get you from anywhere in town to where you want to go for 200 Yen. The Genki Go runs to 10.30pm every night, the bus stop is 50 metres from our door. Taxis run until 2am.
How to get to Gladerunner Lodge
There are several ways to get to Gladerunner Lodge:
From Narita Airport (Tokyo)
Let us organise you a seat on a luxury coach that leaves daily from the airport and arrives within walking distance of our lodge. This will save the hassle of carrying your luggage on and off the trains. The ride takes 4-5 hours.
From Centair Airport (Nagoya)
We can also help you to organise a luxury airport taxi from Nagoya as well. The ride takes 4-5 hours.
From Narita Airport-Tokyo Train Station
Passengers arriving into Narita board the Narita Express to Tokyo Station. Frequent Departures from terminal. Traveling time: 1 hour.
Tokyo Station-Nagano
Board the Nagano Bullet Train( Asama Shinkansen) run regularly throughout day. Traveling time: 1.5 hours.
Nagano Station-Hakuba Station
Buses run every hour with the last departing at 8.20pm (9.20pm Friday nights). Buses leave from the Higashi (East Exit) from bus stop 6. Traveling time: 1 hour
Hakuba Station-Gladerunner
Call and we will pick you up from the station.
From Tokyo to Hakuba by car
Take the Chuo Expressway to the Fujioka J.C.T. and head towards Nagano on the Joshhinetsu Expressway. Exit at the Nagano Interchange and follow the Nagano Olympic Road to Hakuba. Traveling time: 4 hours
The Mountains of Hakuba
HAKUBA AREA
HAKUBA 47
Hakuba 47 and Hakuba Goryu are two modern resorts, which lay side by side and are adjacent to Happo-one. The small resort of Limori which lies at the bottom of Goryu is also covered on the one pass. The terrain on these three separate, yet interlinking resorts, is very impressive, diverse and rates highly amongst skiers and boarders alike. Because of the resorts northwesterly aspect, this area receives an abundant amount of high quality dry powder and spectacular back-country opportunities. Boarders and skiers of all levels will find the combined resorts to be well designed, offering a wide variety of terrain from unforgettable tree runs to the challenging Hakuba 47 terrain park and half pipe. Night skiing is also available at Goryu till 10pm.
HAPPO-ONE
The largest resort in the valley and boasts some of the highest snowfalls and longest vertical pitches in Japan. Happo-one offers a variety of terrain, from gentle beginner slopes at the Sakka lifts, to bumps, long winding runs and the well designed High Cascade terrain park which accommodates all levels of skiing and boarding. Happo-one also boasts breathtaking scenery of the backcountry... definitely a view to remember. Night skiing is available from 5pm-9pm.
HAKUBA IWATAKE
Iwatake is situated north of Happo-one and offers superb panoramic views of the Japanese Alps. Iwatake is very popular amongst snowboarders and free-style skiers as there are two half pipes and a terrain park. The resort is very well suited for a family day out on the slopes, as it boasts long runs, bumps and wide open runs for all abilities. Nordic and cross-country skiing is also popular as there are great trails which can be accessed at the base of the resort.
TSUGAIKE
As Tsugaike is suituated in and amongst the national park, it encompasses great on and off piste skiing, particularly suiting those of beginner and intermediate levels. It hosts long cruising trails, providing an opportunity for uninterrupted runs and unforgettable powder lines through the trees. The town of Tsugaike is a myriad of shops, bars and restaurants and is easily accessible from the mountain.
CORTINA AND NORIKURA
The resorts of Cortina and Norikura are located at the northern end of the valley and record the highest level of snowfall in the Hakuba area. What these two resorts lack in size, they make up for in more challenging terrain, superb powder, tree runs and big dumps.
SUNALPINA SANOSAKA
The resort of Sunalpina is the most southerly resort in Hakuba's ski area. It has some of the most spectacular scenery in the valley as the resort shadows a picturesque lake at the base of the mountain. The area incorporates 3 ski areas on the one pass, offering a wide variety of terrain for all abilities. There is also plenty of trails which can be explored on telemark or nordic skis.
HAKUBA HIGHLAND
Hakuba Highland is a great family resort which is very well catered for those of beginner and intermediate levels. The resort offers reduced lift ticket prices, yet also has one of the best views of the Hakuba Alps.
Activities
Take a guided ski/board back-country tour, or try tubing, tobogganing, or snow rafting. If you want a day off from the snow take in the culture and history of Nagano with day tours running to Matsumoto Castle, Naganos Zenkoji Temple, or walk amongst the monkeys as they play and bath in the natural onsens (Japanese hot spring) where they sit out the winter cold.
Apres Entertainment
By Japanese standards Hakuba has some of the best entertainment around with the bars and nightclubs opening at 6pm with many still going into the early hours. Popular with the locals are Isakayas. These traditional restaurants/bars offer a wide variety of Japanese dishes and drinks in a cosy and relaxed atmosphere.