Hakuba off-piste weeks
Snowy slopes and Japanese flavors
Hakuba is located on Japan's main island of Honshu, in Nagano Prefecture, at the base of the nearly 3,000-meter-tall Japanese Alps. It was the host of the alpine events during the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, and its 10 ski resorts offer excellent variety for both piste skiers and those seeking powder in the backcountry.
Hakuba village has all the traditional Japanese restaurants, but nowadays, Western dining options are also available, ranging from fine dining to pizzas and burgers.
While skiing is the main focus of the trip, Japan offers so much more. During the week, we’ll explore the Japanese onsen (hot spring) culture and, of course, enjoy sushi, tempura, ramen, and other Japanese delicacies, not forgetting sake and Asahi beer—Kanpai!
Your guides
Vesa Rouvila
In Hakuba, your guide will be Vesa Rouvila, and depending on the group size, there will be either another Finnish or Japanese guide. Vesa has been skiing in Hakuba since 2012.
Vesa Rouvila
In Hakuba, your guide will be Vesa Rouvila, and depending on the group size, there will be either another Finnish or Japanese guide. Vesa has been skiing in Hakuba since 2012.
Hakuban laakson keskuksissa riittää laskettavaa. Offareita on paljon, "alppi"-kenttiä, metsää ja dumppipäivinä, joita yleensä riittää, myös rinneputskua. Lumiversumin oppaan kanssa löytää parhaille paikoille! Rinteet on myös hyvin hoidettu niille jotka eivät välttämättä jaksa offareilla koko aikaa. Autenttiset ruokapaikat takaavat viihtymisen myös iltaisin. Näiden takia tänne tulee palattua kerta toisen jälkeen!
Hakuba off-piste weeks
Program of the week
The Hakuba freeride week includes six guided days in the ski resorts and backcountry of the Hakuba Valley. The group size is limited to 12 people, divided into two groups of six. On guide days, transportation between the hotel and the resorts is provided by the guide's minibus.
The trip requires a minimum of six participants to proceed, with a maximum group size of 12. If the minimum number is not met, we will offer an alternative travel package for a different date or a full refund of the deposit.
Flights and ground transport
Flights are not included in the Hakuba weeks to allow you to:
-
Choose your own arrival and departure dates
-
Select your preferred airline, whether for direct flights or with layovers
-
Find the best deal or use frequent flyer miles
The trips start at Haneda Airport on Saturdays at 3:30 PM with a bus transfer to Hakuba and end at Haneda Airport on Saturday evening around 7:30 PM. So, your travel dates (without any additional days) would be a Friday departure from Helsinki and the earliest return from Haneda would be Saturday evening.
Passport and visa
A visa is not required for Finnish citizens to enter Kosovo. Check your country's visa requirements.
Difficulty level
You are able to ski in variable snow conditions both on-piste and off-piste. You can handle short skinning sessions, one or two a day, each lasting under an hour.
Equipment
-
Clients must have equipment that allows for uphill travel (skins, snowshoes, or a splitboard)
-
avalanche safety gear (rental available, inquire for details!)
-
off-piste/freeride insurance.
Price
Price includes
-
Airport transfers
-
7 nights accommodation in Hakuba, in the Wadanon area, at Abest Aldea Hotel or Pension Bogen in a double room (single room available at extra cost)
-
Hotel breakfast
-
Guided instruction by a Finnish guide for six days
-
Rental car and transportation on guide days
-
Avalanche safety day in Helsinki in autumn 2024
-
Carbon footprint compensation fee
Price excludes
- Flights
- Lift tickets
- Meals (hotel breakfast includes)
Accommodation options
Aldea Abest
Located in the peaceful Wadanon area, just outside the town center, the hotel features its own indoor and outdoor onsen, as well as a sauna. Breakfast is served as a European-style buffet.
Bogen
As a second accommodation option in Hakuba, there is the small Pension Bogen, located about 400 meters from the Abest hotel. Bogen is a modest but cozy family-owned guesthouse. The stay at Bogen includes a covered breakfast. While Pension Bogen does not have its own onsen, guests can use the spa facilities at the Abest hotel.
Hakuban Abest-hotelli oli kävelymatkan päässä rinteistä rauhallisen tien päässä. Hotellissa parasta olivat remontoitu onsen suomalaisella saunalla sekä perhehotellin isoisän aamiaiselle paistamat köyhät ritarit. Iso apinalauma viihtyi myös hotellin tontilla!