Planning to ski Japan? Located in Japan’s Nagano Prefecture and put on the map globally by the 1998 Winter Olympics, for decades Hakuba has been famous in Japan for skiing and boasts some of the best resorts and snowfall in the country. Located around four hours from Tokyo, there are many ways to travel directly or otherwise from Narita Airport. Hakuba has many hotels, restaurants, shops, rental services, etc., and is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in skiing in Japan or outdoor activities in Japan in general. One look at the many peaks towering to nearly 3000m above the village and it is easy to see why. The season can start as early as November, but the best conditions can generally be found from Christmas to late February, with March perfect for spring skiing and some of the resorts staying open until the first week of May.
Operating in Hakuba for a decade and based on the slopes of Happo-one, arguably one of Japan’s biggest and best ski resorts, Evergreen Outdoor Center has something for everyone — whether you are seeking a professional ski school for ski and snowboard lessons in Hakuba, avalanche skills training, deep powder backcountry tours, or just a place to drop the youngsters off while you explore the area.
Ski & snowboard lessons
Whether you are a beginner looking for ski/snowboard lessons to learn to link turns on the green runs, an advanced skier/snowboarder ready to take it to the park and work on your freestyle skills or somewhere in-between, the Evergreen ski school offers friendly, personal and professional service. All instructors speak fluent English, hold first aid and instructing certificates and come with glowing recommendations; some instructors also speak French, Spanish, and more.
Backcountry & snowshoe winter tours
Though Evergreen specializes in backcountry tours from the alpine mountains towering above Hakuba to some of the world’s best tree runs, they also offer snowshoe tours, evening snowshoe fondue tours, and cross-country tours on Olympic courses — there’s a way for everyone to experience Hakuba powder away from the resorts and get a taste of outdoor activities in Japan.
Avalanche skills training
David Enright is a member of the Canadian Avalanche Association and has instructed on recreational and professional avalanche courses for over a decade. The Avalanche Skills Training (AST) courses have been developed by the Canadian Avalanche Center and are considered the standard in recreational avalanche training.
Children’s daycare service
For young children that may not be ready for the slopes yet or kids just wanting to have a fun day playing indoors and out, daycare service is available for children from 18 months to 5 years of age.
