Hakuba Cortina will be opening on December 13th 2025
Hakuba Cortina opens from December 13th 2025
Hakuba Cortina in Hakuba offers 16 runs with 4 lifts. Season: December 13, 2025 – March 30, 2026. Updated by Tak.
Hakuba Valley's deepest powder. Challenging tree runs, ski-in/ski-out Hotel Green Plaza, and a direct link to Norikura next door.
This resort typically opens in December 13, 2025. Check back for season updates.
RESORT STATISTICS
Season data shown below. Live conditions available when resort opens.
Courses
All levels
Lifts
Season
Reserve your ski experience
My Recommendation
Cortina runs on 100% natural snow — no snowmaking — so when it dumps, the powder here is as good as it gets in Hakuba. I like the 池の田ゲレンデ (Ikenota) for families: 200m wide with a mellow pitch, so kids have tons of room. Just know that Cortina is at the far north end of Hakuba — 40 minutes from the main village — so plan to stay put once you're there.

Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort sits at the northernmost part of Hakuba Valley in northwestern Nagano Prefecture at the base of the Northern Japan Alps. The valley is famous for its light, dry "Japow" snow.
Cortina is renowned for having the highest snowfall in Hakuba Valley and being the area's premier destination for natural powder. It connects to Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort, offers challenging terrain with excellent tree skiing, and features the ski-in/ski-out Hotel Green Plaza (253 rooms).

Tak — Founder & Editor / Every resort personally visited / How we select →
I'm a Tokyo-based snowboarder and father of two with more than 20 years on Japan's slopes. Every resort recommendation on this site comes from a personal visit, with the single exception of Maiko (clearly flagged on its page).
Kanetsu Expressway→Joshinetsu Expressway→Nagano IC→Route19→Hakuba-Nagano Olympic Road→Hakuba Cortina (4hr)
2,000 spaces
Tokyo Station → Nagano Station (~1h20–1h30, Hokuriku Shinkansen) → Alpico bus (~1h45–1h50) → Hakuba Cortina / Hotel Green Plaza.


Available
Available
Available
Available
December 20 - March 31
Weather dependent
Ski Lesson : from 6,000 yen
Snowboard Lesson : from 6,000 yen
Ski Lesson : Private lesson only
Snowboard Lesson : Private lesson only
Frontier Snow School (based at Norikura – EN/CN/ID/FR/DE instructors)
More Info →No snowmaking, just pure Hakuba Valley powder
Cortina doesn't use any snowmaking. Everything you ride on is natural snow, which means on a powder day the quality is outstanding — light, dry, and deep. The resort sits at the northern edge of Hakuba Valley where storms hit hardest, so it consistently gets the heaviest snowfall in the area. If chasing powder is your priority, Cortina should be at the top of your list.
Ski-in/ski-out charm with aging rooms, 40 min from central Hakuba
Hotel Green Plaza is the face of Cortina — a striking European-style building with a grand, open-air lobby that makes you feel like you've arrived at an alpine resort. It's ski-in/ski-out, which is a huge plus. But the building is aging, and the rooms show it. More importantly, Cortina is about 40 minutes by car from Hakuba's main village area. If the weather turns bad and skiing isn't great, you don't have many alternatives — no nearby restaurants, shops, or activities like you'd find at Iwatake or central Hakuba. Commit to Cortina for the snow, and bring a book for the off days.
Tokyo Station → Nagano Station (~1h20–1h30, Hokuriku Shinkansen) → Alpico bus (~1h45–1h50) → Hakuba Cortina / Hotel Green Plaza.
Shuttle runs every 30 minutes during peak season
Full rental sets available on-site. Reserve in advance during peak season.
Ski set: 6,250 yen/day • Snowboard set: 6,250 yen/day
Credit cards accepted at ticket counters and restaurants.
Cash preferred at some smaller vendors
January to February for the best powder conditions.
Weekdays are less crowded than weekends
Hakuba Cortina opens from December 13th 2025
Everything you need to know about Hakuba Cortina
Cortina is renowned for some of the valley’s deepest powder and gladed tree runs. It’s a bucket-list stop on storm days.
Tokyo → Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nagano (~1.5 hrs) → bus to the northern Hakuba area (~1 hr 15 min). Seasonal shuttles run across Hakuba.
January–February are prime for deep snow. Arrive early on powder days—tree zones fill quickly.
Private English lessons are typically available through Hakuba schools (e.g., Evergreen). Book ahead in peak season.
On-mountain lodging and base amenities include rentals, eateries, and lockers; nearby Hakuba villages offer more options.
Still have questions?
Contact usHakuba Cortina