Hakuba videos. A weekly diary of the 2020/21 winter season.
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Tagged Hakuba, Hakuba videos, info, Information, Japan, ski, snow, snowboard
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A week by week video blog of the Hakuba 20/21 snow season
11th – 18 December 2020
Hakuba Valley in Japan is a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding. We have big mountains and can get huge amounts of snow. Over the next few months I will be showing you what winter is like here. This is our first week of the 2020/21 season. This is also my first large video editing attempt. Please be gentle on me. I promise to work on the audio and transitions in future videos. Feel free to send me a message if you need any info on Hakuba and surrounding areas. Please subscribe if you want to see more of what we have on offer here. Just click the “sign me up” button on the right. Thanks for watching.
Kampai
TJ
To view on Youtube please subscribe HERE
My drink of choice this week is suitably the renowned Silver Bullet. Asahi is the most popular beer in Japan by far and certainly the biggest seller in the bar here. We have it on tap and served fittingly in an icy cold glass.
Most of the filming was done on the DJI pocket 2. The powder run in the middle of the vid at Goryu Resort was on the iphone 11.
First day of the season competition 2020/21
It’s on again. Each year we run a competition to pick the first day of the season. The rules are simple
- The first day the lifts open for skiers and boarders at any one of the resorts in Hakuba.
- One date per person. If 2 or more people choose the same date then we will have a draw out of a hat to choose the winner.
- The date must be chosen at least one week in advance
- If a date isn’t chosen then it’s the closest date before.
The prizes are
- A Hakuba White Horse cap and a beanie
- 5000 yen voucher at the White Horse Bar and Restaurant in Echoland.
- Consolation of a free drink if you pick the date but miss the main prize.
So go to the bottom of this blog and put your date in the comments section or message me HERE and I will add it. Good luck. Remember that the resorts will open as soon as there is enough snow on the ground so it’s pretty much any time now. Just patiently waiting for THAT storm.
The prize is transferable and as it is going to be difficult to get here this year we can also honour it during the 2021/22 season.
The list so far.
Rie Yamamoto – 28th November
TJ – 30th November
Brian Glynn – 4th December
Brent – 4th December
Marc Hunter – 5th December
Stefan Wood – 6th December
Pierre Chauty = 10 December
Dave Turner – 11th December
Patrick – 16th December
Graham Harris – 17th December
Posted in Hakuba, snow
Tagged Hakuba, ski japan, snow, snowboarding in Japan, snowjapan, When does it start snowing in Japan
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When do the lifts open in Hakuba?
When does the snow season start in Hakuba? Answer is, as soon as there is enough snow on the ground. As the storms start rolling in during November, we all wait here with anticipation for the lifts to start turning. Here are the opening dates over the years I have lived here except for my first year. I am pretty sure it was December though.
2020 – 11th December
2019 – 6th December
2018 – 15th December
2017 – 21st November
2016 – 8th December
2015 – 28th November
2014 – 5th December
2013 – 22nd November
2012 – 17th November
2011 – 26th November
2010 – 10th December
2009 – 15th December *
2008 – 23rd November
2007 – 7th December *
2006 – December *
*date could be a day or 2 earlier
No covid in Hakuba.
Well not that we know of and I suppose that goes for anywhere in the world. So far so good for the Hakuba Valley with zero cases recorded. Japan overall has done an amazing job to quell the spread of the virus. My take on it is that it is common practice for the Japanese to wear masks anyway so this has not been a habit that needed to be emphasised too much. It is also not usual to shake hands or hug upon greeting friends and acquaintances. The other thing is hand sanitisers have been common at the entrances of shops and restaurants for as long as I can remember. We are not out of the deep end yet and precautions must be adhered to however it is good to feel a level of normality in our village. I think we will see a return of domestic tourism over the summer months. It’s still too early to know how the winter will go but all signs are there that the resorts will be open. International tourism will be down without a doubt. If current travel restrictions are still in place then we will have the valley to ourselves. Not good for business however I can’t really complain as it will be a dream to have the valley back to how it was 18 years ago when I first arrived. Buckets of snow and no one around. Obviously if I had the choice I would have preferred things to have stayed on the steady growth line. Watching the valley improve it’s facilities and services over the years has been exciting. This is something that is out of our hands now so a 12 month hiatus it is and hopefully the world will bounce back quickly and everyone will be flocking to the mountains in no time. Keep the dream alive.
The White Horse Hotel and the Monkey Rider Lodge are taking tentative bookings now with no deposits required. If you are dreaming of a trip and hoping the travel restrictions are eased then shoot me a message through our contact page and we’ll sort you out a good deal. http://www.whitehorse-hakuba.com
Hakuba first day of the season competition 2019/20
14th December 2018 E-san getting first tracks at Cortina
It’s on again. Each year we run a competition to pick the first day of the season. The rules are simple
- The first day the lifts open for skiers and boarders at any one of the resorts in Hakuba.
- One date per person. If 2 or more people choose the same date then we will have a draw out of a hat to choose the winner.
- The date must be chosen at least one week in advance
- If a date isn’t chosen then it’s the closest date before.
The prizes are
- A Hakuba White Horse Long sleeve T
- 5000 yen voucher at the White Horse Bar and Restaurant in Echoland.
- Consolation of a free drink if you pick the date but miss the main prize.
So go to the bottom of this blog and put your date in the comments section or message me HERE and I will add it. Good luck. Remember that the resorts will open as soon as there is enough snow on the ground so it’s pretty much any time now. Just patiently waiting for THAT storm.
The list so far.
Andy – 20 November.
TJ – 22nd November.
Nikki – 23rd November.
Stefan Wood – 24th November.
Daniel – 25th November.
Dylan – 26th November.
Will Curry
Scott – 28th November.
Patrick Fux – 29th November.
Tom Gowing
Byron Shapland – 1st December.
Chad Edwards – 4th December.
Dave Turner – 5th December
Josh G – 6th December.
Graham Harris
Patricia – 7th December.
Brian Glynn
Jayden McClelland
Nellie – 8th December.
Andrew Taylor – 9th December
Adam Roberts – 13th December.
Richard Copland – 14th December.
Keiran Shapland – 15 December.
Kayla – 18th December
Leigh Pleydell – 22nd December
Posted in Hakuba, ski and snowboard
Tagged Hakuba, ski japan, snow conditions, snow Japan, snowboard
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Epic Pass Hakuba
Vail Resorts Inc. have spread their Epic Pass out far and wide and their season passes at any of their official resorts will offer 5 days free skiing in the Hakuba Valley. That’s a good saving off your holiday expenses and a great excuse to experience this amazing area. Epic Pass holders are required to present their valid Epic Pass or Epic Local Pass hard card and a valid photo ID to the lift cashier at one of Hakuba Valley’s ten resorts to redeem their five-day lift ticket. It’s as simple as that to get you out on the mountain for first tracks in the morning. It is 5 consecutive days and no black out dates so you can come to Hakuba anytime of the season to take advantage of this great deal. The resort list is Jiigatake, Kashimayari, Sanosaka, Goryu, Iimori, Hakuba 47, Happo One, Iwatake, Tsugaike, Norikura and Cortina. Some of those are linked so realistically it is 8 different ski areas catering for all levels of skiers and boarders. If you are looking for accommodation for your stay then have a look at the White Horse Hotel in Echoland which is the main restaurant and bar district of Hakuba. With many years of experience guiding their guests around all the resorts, they are sure to get you to where you should be every day.
If you are looking to keep the costs down with some good value budget accommodation then try the Monkey Rider Lodge.
Cheap lift tickets for Hakuba 47, Goryu and Iimori
It has always amazed me how cheap the lift tickets are in Hakuba and the discount vouchers make it an even bigger bargain. 5100 yen for an adult day pass including a 1000 yen meal and drink voucher. Kids at 3000 yen including the voucher too. Crazy prices for such a fun mountain that has something for everyone including arguably the best park in the valley. There is also the Hakuba Valley pass for convenience. It is a little more expensive but no lining up at ticket boxes in the morning is a bonus.
For the discount pass, print off the PDF below and hand it over when purchasing tickets at the resort only.
Posted in Hakuba, ski and snowboard
Tagged Cheap lift tickets, Hakuba, lift pass, lift tickets, price of lift tickets in japan
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Hakuba Valley First Day of the season competition 2018/19
First day last season was the 21st of November. I remember it well.
It’s on again. Each year we run a competition to pick the first day of the season. The rules are simple
- The first day the lifts open for skiers and boarders at any one of the resorts in Hakuba.
- One date per person. If 2 or more people choose the same date then we will have a draw out of a hat to choose the winner.
- The date must be chosen at least one week in advance
- If a date isn’t chosen then it’s the closest date before.
The prizes are
- A Hakuba White Horse Long sleeve T
- 5000 yen voucher at the White Horse Bar and Restaurant in Echoland.
So go to the bottom of this blog and put your date in the comments section or message me HERE and I will add it. Good luck. Remember that the resorts will open as soon as there is enough snow on the ground so it’s pretty much any time now. Just patiently waiting for THAT storm.
The list so far.
Tricia – 16th November
Danial Atkins – 17th November
Brin McNab – 19th November
Keesha Millar
Mark Rees
Von – 20th November
Steve J – 21st November
Reza
TJ – 22nd November
Shea Oliver
Joaquin Wong
Caleb – 23 November
Bec Britt
Ian Lee
Pete – 24th November
William – 25th November
Susie Teo
Byron (last years winner)
Kyle – 26th November
Snowriders Australia
Toby – 27th November
Kelsey – 28th November
William F – 29 November
George long-Howell
Kath Dumas
Zia Jasper
Steven Wilkes
Tom Parker
Nate – 30th November
Chad Edwards
Brian Glynn – 1st December
Brian Morris
David McAlister
PeterC
Alex Nicholson – 2nd December
Liam Baker – 3rd December
Adin Uhrig
Taylor Marsh
Veronica Lin
Jay – 4th December
Chad Steele – 5th December
Peter Moon
Tereza Foulcher
Tuulia – 6th December
Justin
Peng Li
Paul Cathcart – 7th December
Stephen Bryant
Nathan K
Kat
Coco Lin
Matt Bryson – 8th December
Angeline
Kacy Marsh – 9th December
Wing Choi Lam
Allen Marsh – 11th December
Adam R 13th December
Posted in Hakuba, ski and snowboard
Tagged first day competition, Hakuba, ski, snow, snowboard
62 Comments
White Horse Hotel, Hakuba, Japan.
Autumn colours are out which means it’s time to get ready for the winter
Coming up to our 13th season, the White Horse Hotel has been at the forefront of service for winter guests in Hakuba. I have been at the helm from the start and with 3 years of holidaying here before that, I have a true understanding of what it is that customers want. First and foremost it is a snow holiday and regardless of the level of skiing and snowboarding, we constantly hear from our guests that they have had, “the best day ever on the snow”. That is what I gauge my success on. Giving people the most memorable experience in this winter wonderland and that’s why people keep coming back to stay with us. It is not just by being in Hakuba that it is achieved. I spend a lot of time researching the mountains the weather and discussing with our guests what it is they are after. Powder snow, tree runs, backcountry, long groomers, beginner runs, cross-country or lessons, it doesn’t matter what style of sliding you want, I will ensure you are where you should be within the valley and sometimes out. The hotel has gone through some changes over the last 12 years and we will continually upgrade as we go along with even bigger plans for the next couple of years but at the end of the day it will still be your experience on the snow that I will push as our number one objective.
If you are interested in staying with us then please send a direct inquiry through our website http://www.whitehorse-hakuba.com . We don’t subscribe many rooms to the booking engines so they will tell you we are full when we actually do have rooms available. We also don’t push our guests to write reviews so you won’t see much of that either. Many guests tell us they won’t do it anyway as they want to be able to get a room for their next trip 🙂
I hope to see you here soon.
Tony
Posted in Hakuba, Hakuba Accommodation, Hakuba Hotels
Tagged accommodation, Hakuba, Hotel, skijapan, snow
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