When it comes to lift tickets in Hakuba, you've got two main options to choose from: the Hakuba Valley all mountain passes that give you access to every resort in the valley, or individual mountain day passes for specific resorts. While the all mountain pass might sound like the obvious choice, we actually recommend most of our guests stick with individual mountain day passes, and here's why.
Individual mountain passes are typically ¥1000-3000 cheaper per day than the valley passes, and we think that money is better spent on a steaming bowl of ramen or hearty curry rice for lunch on the mountain. Each resort in Hakuba is substantial enough to keep you entertained for a full day of skiing or snowboarding. Whether you're exploring Happo's extensive terrain, enjoying Cortina's famous powder bowls, or cruising Tsugaike's long runs, you'll rarely find yourself wanting to hop between multiple mountains in a single day. The reality is that by the time you factor in travel time between resorts, you'd lose valuable slope time that could be better spent getting familiar with one mountain's terrain.
The main selling point of the valley passes is that they include free travel on all the Hakuba Valley buses. However, since we provide morning transportation to the mountain from Starfall Lodge, you're already covered for the start of your day. If you need to catch a valley bus back in the afternoon, it's only an 800 yen fare, and there are actually free shuttle buses from most resorts that can get you back to central areas. When you do the math, you'd need to take quite a few bus rides to make up the price difference between the pass types.
Another consideration is flexibility. If you purchase a multi day valley pass at the beginning of your trip, you're locked into that commitment. Maybe the weather turns, maybe you discover muscles you forgot you had, or maybe that après ski session turns into a rest day. With individual day passes, you only pay for the days you actually ski, giving you the freedom to adjust your plans without feeling like you're wasting money on unused lift ticket days.
The main drawback of buying single mountain passes used to be the morning queue at the ticket office, but that's largely a thing of the past. Since 2024, most Hakuba resorts have launched online portals where you can recharge your lift pass the night before, so it's ready to scan and go the next morning. You'll need to purchase a physical pass from any mountain on your first day, but after that, you can top it up online from the comfort of the lodge. Yes, it can be a bit of a faff navigating the different systems, but you'll save both time in the morning and money, as online purchases typically offer an additional ¥500-1000 discount compared to ticket window prices.
Here are the online ticketing portals for each Hakuba Valley resort:
Of course, if you prefer the ultimate convenience of not thinking about tickets at all, the all mountain passes are still a solid option. These can be purchased at any resort ticket office or at the Happo Information Center in town. They come in various durations with rest days built in, meaning a 5 day pass is actually valid for any 5 days within a 10 day period from first use. This gives you the flexibility to take rest days when needed without losing value from your pass.
EPIC PASS HOLDERS
If you're visiting from Australia or America with an Epic Pass, you're in for a treat. Epic Pass holders are entitled to a complimentary 5 consecutive day Hakuba Valley pass, giving you full access to all nine resorts in the valley at no additional charge. To claim this benefit, you'll need to bring your physical Epic Pass along with matching photo ID to any ticket office or the Happo Information Center.
It's important to note that this complimentary pass is specifically for 5 consecutive days, not the flexible format of the regular multi day Hakuba Valley passes. Once you activate it on day one, it's valid for the next four days in a row, so plan accordingly. If you're staying longer than 5 days or want the flexibility to take rest days, you might want to use your Epic Pass benefit strategically, perhaps in the middle of your trip when you're fully warmed up and ready to explore multiple mountains.
Whether you choose individual day passes or the all mountain option, the most important thing is getting out there and enjoying Hakuba's incredible terrain. We're here to help you make the most of your stay, so don't hesitate to ask if you need any advice on which mountains to explore or help with the online ticketing systems.
