There is a lot of backcountry in Japan, so why choose the backcountry in Hakuba? We like to avoid fluff and hype, therefore here are some facts about Hakuba:
The weather is 50/50. Sounds bad? Not nearly as bad as other popular Japan backountry venues where you don't see blue sky for weeks on end, day after day lost in the fog. In Hakuba we usually receive a big storm lasting a few days followed by a clear high pressure period offering access into the greater backcountry. Sometimes storms arrive back-to-back and this means we are restricted for a longer period. Wind is often the biggest problem, but that can usually be managed (with a little physical effort and the correct equipment) thanks to the wide variety of terrain on offer.
You have likely heard about why Japan receives so much powder – well the same applies to Hakuba. Frigid arctic air moving south east from Siberia, becoming supersaturated over the Sea of Japan, hitting the coast and rising over the spine of the Kita Alps and dumping approximately 9m of quality powder snow each season in the valley, and way more above tree line. The snow is deep, some of the deepest in the world. When it snows here, it really snows. Fresh snow and some powder is not assured, but depending on the itinerary, it is usually available.
Hakuba has a maritime climate and snowpack, which usually means better snow stability. Some areas in the world, and Japan, experience extended periods of very unstable snow. The avalanche cycles are typically quite short in Hakuba. Again, this is not assured and no reason for complacency.
During fair weather the mountain temperatures are not uncomfortable for those unaccustomed to the snow. Most days in the backcountry we experience temperatures no colder than -10C. Hakuba enjoys a good balance between moderate temps yet colder drier snow than other similarly mild maritime areas in the country. If you want even drier powder well north of Hakuba then it comes at the price of seriously cold weather, easily -15C, and too many days with poor visibility.
Besides almost too much snow, Hakuba’s biggest draw card is the terrain. We have a permanent glacier-like snowfield that allow for very early season backcountry touring in November, along with alpine peaks that have some good snow in October. We have peaks to 2900m offering extremely steep and challenging terrain and plenty of moderate but still complex ski mountaineering descents of up to 1400m vertical. We have silently beautiful hardwood skiing and long gentle gladded areas of evergreens over rolling playful terrain, all to yourself with a little effort. It doesn’t end there. A short hike from the resort lifts are sidecountry descents that rival some of the best in the world, with no exaggeration, it can be epic. Up to 1000m of incredible sidecountry terrain, often totally untracked midweek. Unfortunately poor weather and avalanche conditions can restrict access to this terrain. Of course then there is the extended touring possibilities, over the back of the main range – an area very few set eyes upon – into a giant playground that will leave you amazed that you are standing in Japan. We have wild onsens (hot volcanic baths) bubbling out of the snow miles from anywhere that support great spring-season backcountry camping and skiing. Plus we have a first class backcountry hut and onsen that opens in mid March. When spring comes, huge ascents and descents are possible from every peak in the range – years of work to ski each of them by all variants. The corn season lasts well into May and skiing is surprisingly good in June.
If you love alpine terrain, you can ski the backcountry in Hakuba for an incredible 9 months, October through to June, from a small but well facilitated mountain township relatively close to Japan’s biggest airports and cities. Yet for some reason it never gets crowded in the backcountry. Thats why we choose Hakuba.
No fluff, all facts (and from the heart).
