There’s plenty to do in the Hakuba Valley if you want a break from the brilliant skiing and snowboarding!
On-snow alternatives include snowmobiling, with private or group tours offered throughout the day.
Tubing is also popular and Kashimayari Resort has a brilliant 500-metre-long tubing run – that’s much longer than you’ll find in most ski areas for a really satisfying, great fun descent!
Otari Fat Bikes offers a whole range of tours and experiences with these popular off-road bicycles with oversized tyres from their base at Tsugaike. Snowcoot (a kind of combination snowboard/scooter is also available in the valley.
At the same ski area Hakuba Tsugaike WOW! is an amazing winter adventure park offering a menu of different adventure activities in the snow.
At a slower pace, you can enjoy snowshoeing at Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field which also has a wonderful Yoo Hoo! Swing up near its top gondola station where you swing out over the amazing views.
Indoor options include the brilliant HakuBounce, Nagano’s largest trampoline park which also has a free-to-use kids’ corner for children aged under 3 years.
You can also take a day trip from the Hakuba Valley. One will take you to the world-famous Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, home to 200 wild snow monkeys who have a rather idyllic life lazing their days away soaking in the hot springs. Then the tour continues in the afternoon with a visit to the 7th century Buddhist Zenkoji Temple before returning back to Hakuba. There are plenty of other wonderful excursions available if you are prepared to take time away from the slopes.
Image Credit Hiroya Nakata