Happo One

From WikiSki

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Resort Summary
Resort Name	Happo-One
Location	{{{location}}}
Resort Altitude	1831m
Winter Season	5 monthes
Terrain	Overall: 700 hectares Beginner: Intermediate: Advanced:
Lift System	26 lifts
Highest Lift	1831m
Lowest Lift	760m
Vertical	1080m
Longest Run	5km
Avg Snowfall	11m
Terrain Parks
Snow Sports
Facilities
Nearest Town
Other
Lift Pass
Adult 5 Day	$
Adult 1 Day	$¥4600
Child 5 Day	$
Child 1 Day	$¥2300

Overview

Biggest resort in the Hakuba Valley.

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Location

Hakuba, Nagano Ken

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Pros

HappoOne has an average annual snowfall of 450 inches. HappoOne has the largest available area of above tree line skiing/riding in all of Japan. Patrol allows you to ride or ski the whole mountain, minus 1 or 2 avalanche areas that are clearly marked. The Virgin Cafe has some of the best on mountain food you can find. The resort is not crowded.

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Cons

Can get cold on the lifts so dress warm. Good for all levels but early or late season the beginner terrain can be a bit limited. The upper mountain in a storm can get whiteout conditions.

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Contacts

Phone: 0261-72-3066

Fax: PLEASE EDIT

Postal: PLEASE EDIT

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Planning

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Getting There

From Tokyo (Narita):

Catch the Narita Express to Tokyo JR station. Change platforms to catch the Asama Shinkansen that takes you to Nagano. At Nagano, exit the station then turn left (the ticket office is on the right as you come out). Exit the station concourse and walk downstairs or take the lift to the street level.

On the street there's a bus terminal on the left. Bus stop no. 6 is from where the Alpico bus to Hakuba leaves. The trip takes just over an hour. There are a number of stops in and around Hakuba depending on where you are staying. The easiest (probably) is to get off at Hakuba train station and get a taxi to your accommodation. Alternatively, get off at the Happo-one bus terminal, which is closer to the Happo village area. It would take about 10 minutes to walk from the Happo-one bus terminal to the Adam Gondola at Happo-one without luggage so a taxi is better unless you are really keen to save some dough.

Tickets: get a JR-East 4 day flexi pass for 20,000 yen (as at 2008). This allows to to take any train in the JR East region on 4 non-consecutive days within a month. Even the round trip to Hakuba and back makes it worthwhile. To purchase, you can buy an exchange order outside of Japan and then exchange the order for a pass when you arrive - or just buy the pass in Japan. It is amongst one of the passes that foreigners can buy IN Japan. The travel service centre is one level below the arrivals hall at Narita Airport, Terminal 2 (assuming you arrive there). The staff speak English well enough - you need to fill out an application form and show your passport. You can pay for the pass in cash or by credit card. The staff can also issue you with your tickets for the Narita Express and the Nagano Shinkansen (both of which are reserved seating only).

At the Nagano end, you can buy the tickets on the bus (1,500 yen one way, 2008) paying as you get off. The driver has limited change and will not change notes greater than 1,000 yen. If you get to Nagano early enough, there is also a convenience store on the left hand side as you walk towards bus stop no. 6 - inside you can buy a book of 4 vouchers for the bus for 5,000 yen. Each voucher is good for a one-way trip. Alpico Bus timetable

Taxis have a fairly high flagfall (700 yen, 2008) but are convenient to use to get around - especially if you are at Echoland and want to get to Happo-One or vice versa.

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Tour Services

Throughout the winter season Liquid Snow Tours operate weekly tours from Tokyo to the Hakuba Alps. Tours generally consist of:

Airport meet and greet before transfers to Tokyo for the first nights accommodation, coach transfers straight from Accommodation to Hakuba, 7 nights accommodation in Hakuba, all styles of accommodation catered for, ski passes for the surrounding 7 resorts in the Hakuba Valley, return coach trasnfers back to Tokyo, last nights accommodation in Tokyo, Tokyo city tour, Return transfers to Narita airport.

This tour can be fully customised with a range of accommodation available starting at backpackers style, up to self contained log houses, boutique hotels and 5 star luxury hotels. Prices vary and are available on application through Liquid Snow Tours [1].

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Accommodation

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Booking Agents

Hakuba Tours and Travel acts as a information service and booking agent for the Hakuba Valley. Information on a range of accommodations, transport options, ski resorts, nightlife and dining can be fond on the site. Online bookings can be made, trail maps downloaded and information provided. For more information see www.ski-hakuba-japan.com

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On Mountain

The Lab offers on mountain accommodation 300 metres distance to the Happo One ski lifts, previously being used to house international ski teams The Lab has been converted into a purpose build riders haven. Accommodation is Lodge style with rooms ranging from 4 to 8 share. Facilities include, fully stocked bar with happy hours and drink specials, Onsen style share bathrooms, resturant serving hot breakfasts and value dinners, espresso coffee bar, games room, lounge room, TV room and sun deck. The location in between the Happo lifts and Echo Land main street makes it the optimal place to stay. For more information see Ski-Hakuba-Japan.com

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Off Mountain

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Budget

Snowbeds Backpackers, 2937-304 Hakujo, Kita-Azumi Gun, Hakuba, Nagano 399-9301. Tel 81 90 7310 4032 email Mitch@snowbedsjapan.com or see at [2][3]

Hakuba's first and most famous backpackers, and still the best in town. With a great atmosphere and cheap long term rates, minutes walk to restaurants and bars. Snowbeds was opened in 1998 and was one of the first foreign owned business's in Hakuba. Still the most popular backpackers accommodation in Hakuba due to location and word of mouth, if the Snowbeds staff don’t know something about Hakuba then it’s not worth knowing. Free shuttle bus stop for 5 resorts right out front. Closest ski resorts being Happo One and 47/Goryu. Features western style private and shared rooms, communial kitchen, satelite TV, ski/drying room, workshop and tuning room. Y3000 per night. English spoken.

Hakuba Powder Lodge, tel. 090-1147-8741 (English spoken) Hakuba Powder Lodge. Biggest backpacker operation in Hakuba, minutes away from Happo One and Goryu/47. Private double rooms available, great views from the fire place. Facilities include Large kitchen, shower/bath, 2 lounge rooms smoking and non-smoking, cable TV, Large screen TV with a DVD player. ¥3000/night or ¥40000/month.

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Self Contained

Hakuba Apartments This self-contained spacious, modern, ideally located accommodation is the prefect choice for families or groups of friends. Centrally located in Echoland area, you are only a 5-minute shuttle ride away from Happo-one. Echoland is the ideal spot with many bars and restaurants within a short walking distance. If you are looking for a quiet house in close proximity to entertainment, this is the perfect spot. Rates 30000 yen for 6 people or less. ph.090-1147-8741

hakubaapartments@hotmail.com

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Mid-Range

Hakuba House, www.hakubahouse.com, Hakuba House is a boutique ski lodge located adjacent to the slopes of Hakuba’s Happo One and is virtually ski in ski out. You can ski into the front door and just stroll or ski down only 200m to the Sakka ski runs of Happo.

Hakuba House prides itself on delivering quality western style ski lodge accommodation. With underfloor heating, fully en-suited spacious rooms and no bunks, this boutique hotel will provide for a memorable experience.

Transfers - first tracks shuttle service and transfers to and from Hakuba station. The free Hakuba shuttle bus connects you to Echoland and the other resorts of Hakuba 47 and Goryu.

Prices from 5,500Y pppn, including a delicious hot breakfast every morning., email : stay@hakubahouse.com

Blue Dragon Hakuba, is an exciting Australian-owned & operated art~hotel in a fantastic location. Blending contemporary Japanese design with western service and facilities, Blue Dragon Hakuba delivers a fusion east meets west experience. Whether its on the mountain, dining out, or finding that great photo-opportunity, Blue Dragon Hakuba keeps you one step ahead of the usual tourist trail. Email us: stay@bluedragonhakuba.com Skype us: bluedragonhakuba Call us: +81 (0)907 017 5331 or visit [4].

Morino Lodge, 5 minutes walk from Happo bus terminal and close to Hakuba station with free pick up. Tel. +81 261-85-9098, Morinolodge.com. MorinoLodge has clean, spacious twins, doubles and group rooms in western and Japanese style. The rooms all come with ensuite bathroom, shower and toilet plus televison, DVD player, mini fridge and patio windows with balconies. There is also a huge lounge with big sofas to chill out on. The Lodge is surrounded by great restuarants and bars and is only 4 minutes walk from the Happo gondola. The western owners have been in Hakuba for 7 years and have great knowledge of the surrounding area

Green Valley Hakuba, 24196-24 Kamishiro, TEL:+81-261-75-4000 (www.gvhakuba.com). Living and Bed rooms (TV, Heater, Fan Vacuum cleaner, Bed). Kitchen (Gas or electric stove, Refrigerator, Rice cooker, Microwave, Toaster, Pot, Kitchen utensils, grill). Bathroom (Washing machine, Drier, Shampoo and Conditioner, Hand soap, Toothbrush, Towel). Outside (Parking, barbeque space).

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Lift Tickets

Happo One

1Day Adult - ¥4600
1Day Adult - ¥3600 (over 60)
2Day Adult - ¥6500 (weekdays)
2Day Adult - ¥8500
3Day Adult - ¥12000
1Day Child - ¥2300
2Day Child - ¥4300
2Day Child - ¥6000
Half Day - ¥3300

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Ski School

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Equipment Hire

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Splurge

OHARUKANOYU, 2942-17 Misorano Hokujou TEL:+81-261-72-5170 (oharuka.com). Lobby, Dining room, Japanese-style and Western-style rooms (35 guest rooms, Satellite television(BS, SKY PerfecTV), Washlet(Toilet with bided function), High speed internet all rooms correspondence), Indoor Onsen (hot spring), Rotenburo (Open-air hot spring), Ski & board drying room / Separate changing room / locker room / wash room.

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Resort Facilities

Steepest run 37 degrees
Site of the '98 Olympic downhill
Excellent restaurants and bars
Child minding area
¥4,500 day pass
¥70,000 season pass

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Getting Around

Shuttle buses will get you around to the ski resorts. For apres night-life, choose taxis to get around.

After about 5pm there is a paid shuttle service called "Genki-Go". You have to purchase tickets from local shops to use it; generally the drivers don't take cash. Each trip is 200 yen (2008). Uncle Stevens is one place from which you can buy tickets, and pick up a timetable.

There are 3 routes, each called a line and with it's own colour. The bus stops are numbered - at each stop is a small route map and the time table for that line, with the stop generally highlighted. You can work out from the map and timetable where you want to go - tell the driver which stop number or place and he'll let you off there or thereabouts.

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Parking

Ample free parking at either the Saka or Nakiyama areas. Don't park near the gondola unless you want to pay. expect to pay 1000yen

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Activities

Sleding Kids area Restaurants

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Dining

The Virgin Cafe is your best choice. Top Gondola station has a good selection of food. The Kokusai restaurant serves all you can eat salad for 500 yen or all you can drink wine for 500 yen

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