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Ski Japan - Nagano

Happo One Resort Reviews

Ski Japan - Nagano

Happo One Resort Reviews

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Visitor reviews for Happo One Ski Resort

Happo One Ratings

Overall: 3.8. Based on 20 votes and 25 reviews. Vote

Access: 3.6

(1) At least one overnight stop, (2) requires a whole day, (3) requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns (4) arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon, (5) there is a main airport within an hour of Happo One.

Public Transport: 4.0

(1) There are no buses or taxis to Happo One, (3) there are slow or infrequent buses / trains available, (5) getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections.

Scenery: 4.5

(1) An ugly resort in a bland setting, (3) average mountain views and resort, (5) a spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town.

Accommodation: 4.6

(1) No places to stay in/near Happo One, (3) a few places to stay in the resort, (5) a wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets.

Cheap Rooms: 4.5

(1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.

Luxury Hotels: 4.6

(1) No luxury accommodation available, (3) just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead, (5) several up-market hotels in Happo One.

Ski in/Ski out: 3.8

(1) The ski area is located far from any accommodation, (3) a free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip, (5) Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available.

Childcare: 3.4

(1) There are no child care facilities at Happo One, (5) the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche.

Snowsure: 4.5

(1) Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing, (2) is often closed due to a lack of snow, (3) occasionally suffers from a lack of snow, (4) rarely suffers from a lack of snow, (5) Happo One is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.

Snowmaking: 3.6

(1) Happo One relies entirely on natural snow, (3) there are just a few snow cannons, (5) there are snowmaking facilities on all pistes.

Snow Grooming: 4.0

(1) There are no snow groomers at Happo One, (3) occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state, (5) all the runs at Happo One are groomed daily.

Shelter: 3.6

(1) there is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut, (3) there are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close, (5) Happo One is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close.

Nearby options: 3.9

(1) If snow conditions are poor at Happo One, it will be poor everywhere nearby, (3) there are good alternatives within an hours drive, (5) other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions.

Regional rating: 3.9

(1) Happo One usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region, (3) has average conditions for the region, (5) usually has the best snow conditions in the region.

Lift Staff: 4.1

(1) The staff at Happo One are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at Happo One are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.

Crowds/Queues: 3.8

(1) the resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues, (3) it is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays, (5) it is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare.

Ski Schools: 3.9

(1) No ski schools available, (2) one or two ski schools but local language only, (3) a few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors, (4) plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available, (5) excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors.

Hire and Repairs: 4.1

(1) Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex. (3) there are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance, (5) good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible.

Variety of pistes: 3.9

(1) The ski runs are featureless and unvaried, (3) the ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week, (5) Happo One has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain.

Beginners: 3.8

(1) Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard, (3) a few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week, (3) Vast areas of gentle terrain.

Intermediates: 4.5

(1) No intermediate terrain at Happo One, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs.

Advanced: 4.1

(1) Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders, (3) enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste, (5) Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week.

Snow Park: 3.1

(1) Not even a kicker at Happo One, (3) average sized park quite well looked after, (5) huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails.

Off-piste: 3.2

(1) No off-piste worth mentioning, (2) off piste is out-of-bounds, (3) some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days, (5) a vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days.

Cross-country: 2.9

(1) There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Happo One, (3) there are some cross country trails available, (5) the area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails.

Luge/Toboggan: 1.3

(1) No designated luge or toboggan runs, (3) there are toboggan runs that open quite often, (5) Happo One has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages.

Mountain Dining: 3.5

(1) Nowhere to buy food by the pistes, (3) some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive, (5) there is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets.

Eating: 3.4

(1) Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. (5) A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants.

Apres-Ski: 3.0

(1) Nothing to do, not even a bar, (3) there are a few bars in the resort but nothing special, (5) clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere.

Other Sports: 2.5

(1) No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts, (3) resort has just a small public swimming pool, (5) resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool.

Entertainment: 3.3

(1) Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here, (3) the non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week, (5) the resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports.

Winter Walks: 3.5

(1) Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails, (3) a couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails, (5) extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities.

Ski Pass Value: 4.4

(1) A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available, (3) the ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts, (5) ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area.

Value (National): 4.2

(1) Overall, Happo One is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money, (3) overall represents average value for money, (5) overall offers the best value resort in the country.

Value (Global): 4.5

(1) Overall, Happo One is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world, (3) overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries, (5) internationally the resort offers excellent value for money.

Show all 35 ratings

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April 07, 2017
Yoshi from Ski Japan Japan
It is not raining at all. [note from the editor: thank you for submitting your weather observations. You may like to become an Eyeball Reporter, via Twitter. This review will remain in place for a short time.}
December 09, 2015
Jim from Ski Australia Australia
Why are there no reviews of Hakuba for this year. Must be terrible conditions just now?
December 27, 2014
Dr Gordon Caldwell from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
We came to Hakuba for 5 days, wish we had booked 10! Very lucky with loads of snow for December. Here for Xmas, fresh powder, no queues, fabulous cheap food at lift bases. Runs for all levels of skiers. Easy shuttles to adjacent areas like Hakuba 47, Goryu, Cortina (best to plan a day in each rather than switch midday). Only criticism is buses from Echoland to lifts should be more frequent. Transfer by bus from Tokyo Shinjuki express bus terminal is a doddle. Happo information centre staff very helpful. Japanese people so genuinely welcoming. Scenery stunning. Why didn't we come to Japan years ago?
March 09, 2014
Greg from Ski Australia Australia
We returned from Hakuba late Feb 2014. We did not leave Happo-One but did plan to. Loved it. We are returning and will try some others also next time. We lucked in with the snow but I see more coming. Lots of lifts and varying runs. Liked the groomed slopes after a spatter of powder overnight. Good and valued food on the mountain too. Cheap tickets from our lodgings.
December 25, 2012
Paul from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Great snow conditions in Hakuba atm. Loving the powder. Happo is a great mountain as is 47. Full cover at all the resorts and all the lifts are running. Cortina tomorrow. Doing a BC tour with Evergreen next week. Can recommend the White Horse for accom and Echoland for the restaurants and bars. Japan is awesome.
April 03, 2011
Warren from Ski Australia Australia
Had a great snowshoe hike along the Toomi ridge with magnificent views of the Shiroumadake, Yarikashimadake etc... led by the very knowledgeable mountaineer Rodden McGowan (International Federation of Mountain Guide Associations)! Looking forward to revisiting the area soon.
March 08, 2011
Berns from Ski Japan Japan
What a great year we have had, every time the snow has looked a little thin, down it has come - I have been here for the season and we are still getting lots of snow in mid March. Should keep the season pumping to the end of March for sure now. Hakuba (Happo One) is really coming on, more self contained places being built and bigger / cooler restaurants planned for the coming season. Given its spread out nature I am hoping this will allow it to keep its Japanese uniqueness (Unlike Niseko) but they could definitely do with some more modern, cool bars and restaurants catering to the over 30's age groups. All in all, have had an amazing experience in Hakuba; would recommend to those looking for something exotic and unusual.
February 17, 2011
Sean from Ski Australia Australia
Great snow again this year in Hakuba as it always seems to be. The terrain options you have on and off-piste are insane. I've ridden a lot more back-country this year after having completed my AST level 1 course at the The Avalanche School which was excellent and have thoroughly enjoyed applying my newly gained knowledge in the BC with my mates. I'll be back next year for sure!
February 16, 2011
Jack from Ski Australia Australia
I'm staying in Happo for 8 days or so. So far, I've been to Happo-one, Iwatake and Cortina. Happo-one is great for wide, smooth runs and is really expansive and good food. I found Iwatake and Cortina better though. Iwatake had amazing powder when I went, so thick and dry if you fall you get completely submerged in it. Also, they day I went to Cortina, the day before it was closed due to too much snow and the lifts couldn't operate, so it was really thick with pow-pow. Best tree runs in the world, so soft through the powder its like your floating, Highly recommend it.
January 08, 2011
John Tiller from Ski Australia Australia
I had a clear day heli-boarding the back country of the Remarkables New Zealand in August this year. I also spent 2 weeks boarding Happo One in March this year 2010. I would swap the heli boarding in New Zealand for boarding Hakuba hands down. The snow is top quality and plenty of it! I found the Hakuba resort shuttles very easy to use and every 15 minute to all 5 resort from 8.00 am to 10.30 am then every 30 minutes. Delivery onto the snow is first class. All resorts have gondolas starting at 8.00am. I never had to queue. I had 9 clear days with over 1.5 meters of snow fall within 13 days. The snow flakes are the biggest I have ever seen. On one morning the snowflakes were 50mm or 2 inches in diamiter. The people are friendly and very helpful if they understand what your try to get across. I have booked and paid for another 2 week this March and I will be every year until I can't board any more. If you do go, have a coffee at Echolands, the cafe own by Kas a young snowboarder plus the info is the best in town.