Otari Village is located in one of the top winter
sports regions of Japan. With a backdrop of the Hakuba mountain range,
the resorts in Otari Village alongside those in neighbouring Hakuba
Village (located just to the south of Otari) offer some of the best
skiing and snowboard in all of Japan.
The snow resorts in the region offer something for
everyone - from gentle slopes for beginners to challenging terrain and backcountry experiences for expert
skier and snowboarders.
The three snow resorts resorts in Otari
Village are called Tsugaike Kogen,
Hakuba Norikura and
Hakuba Cortina Kokusai.
Tsugaike Kogen
With 27 lifts and a 3.6km long course the Tsugaike Kogen resort is the
largest in Otari village. The resort has a vertical drop of 880 meters
(1680m-800m) and 12 courses.
Beginners course
The 1.2km wide intermediate slope "Slope on the Ringing Bell Hill"
is very popular. Fantastic night skiing is also available in this area.
Intermediate course
At an elevation of 1700m, the "Tsuga no Mori Forest
Slope" enjoys incredible panoramic views of the Japanese North Alps mountains.
Advanced course
Challenge the moguls course on the steep "Horseback Course" slope
and the 35 degree "Champion Slope".
More information on SnowJapan
Official
website
Hakuba Norikura Onsen
Hakuba Norikura Onsen resort has 13 lifts and 21 courses in total. With
a steepest slope of 38 degrees and vertical drop from 1300m to 700m,
this resort offers a good choice of challenges for most skill levels.
Beginners course
The "Wakaba Forest Course" is suitable for beginners and the "Haku-Nori
Family Course" is popular with children.Intermediate course
"Satomi Ridge Course" and "Highway course" right from the top to the
bottom of the resort. There is also a popular Snow Park for snowboarders.
Advanced course
Try the 38 degree "Sky View Course". The "Experts course" and
"Snake course" are also popular.
More information on SnowJapan
Official website
Hakuba Cortina
Kokusai
Hakuba Cortina Kokusai has 15 slopes serviced by 6 ski lifts, a vertical
drop of 709 meters (from 1402m - 693m) and a maximum slope of 42
degrees.
Beginners course
Try the 200m wide "Ike No Ta Paddy Slope" and "Hiedayama Mountain
Forest Course".Intermediate course
Fantastic North Alps and Myoko mountain views from the "Itahira-ridge
Slope" and also try the "Rabbit course".
Advanced course
Hakuba Cortina Kokusai has a challenging 42 degree slope and the "Cortina
Giant course" is 600m long.
More information on SnowJapan
Official website
Otari village is blessed with a large number of natural
hot springs that you can enjoy after an energetic day on the slopes. From Tsugaike Kogen
Onsen in
the south the the Himekawa Onsen to the north there is a lot of choice.
More English language information will be available soon on the
forthcoming new English language website.
The natural beauty of the region means that people come
to take in the splendid scenery throughout the year. As the snow melts
in late spring, the snow makes way for fresh green colors and the beauty
of flowers both at town level and on the mountain. Summer in the region
is relatively cool and the mountains are popular with climbers and
trekkers.
In autumn the region transforms once again with the
trees turning different shades of red, yellow and gold....
More photos will be available on our new English website, coming soon.
Events in and around Otari Village this winter
season....
|
MONTH |
DATE |
WHERE? |
EVENT |
|
December
|
until 21st
|
Tsugaike Kogen
|
lift discount |
| 8th - 21st |
Hakuba Cortina
|
early ski
campaign |
| Early December |
Hakuba
Norikura Onsen |
safety
ceremony |
| 16th |
Tsugaike Kogen
|
Childrens Ski
Day |
| 24th/25th |
Hakuba Cortina
|
Christmas
fireworks |
| 31st |
Hakuba Cortina
|
New Year
events & fireworks |
|
January |
1st |
Hakuba Cortina
|
New Year event
& fireworks |
| 12th |
Tsugaike Kogen |
Ski Day |
| 19th |
Hakuba
Norikura Onsen |
Mochizuki and
Snowmobiles (children) |
| 20th |
Hakuba
Norikura Onsen |
Childrens Ski
Day |
| 20th |
Tsugaike Kogen |
Childrens Ski
Day |
| 26th |
Hakuba
Norikura Onsen |
ALPS CUP |
| 26th/27th |
Tsugaike Kogen |
Snow bike Jam
in Tsugaike |
|
February |
2nd |
Tsugaike Kogen |
Snowmobile
Testing |
|
2nd/9th/16th/23rd |
All resort
areas |
Otari Candle
Night |
| 9th |
Hakuba Cortina |
Minshuku
Kansha (Thanks) Day |
| 14th |
Hakuba Cortina |
Valentine and
Cortina fireworks |
| 16th |
Hakuba
Norikura Onsen |
Fireworks |
| 16th |
Hakuba
Norikura Onsen |
Mochizuki and
Snowmobiles (children) |
| 16th/17th |
Tsugaike Kogen |
Snow bike Jam
in Tsugaike |
| 17th |
Hakuba
Norikura Onsen |
Childrens Ski
Day |
| 17th |
Tsugaike Kogen |
Childrens Ski
Day |
| 23rd/24th |
Hakuba
Norikura Onsen |
Goldwin Hakuba
Norikura Cup |
| 27th-Mar 1st |
Hakuba
Norikura Onsen |
Kansai
Students Apen Ski Event |
|
March |
3rd-7th |
Hakuba
Norikura Onsen |
Tele-week |
| 7th-Apr6th |
Tsugaike Kogen |
1st Heliski &
snowboard |
| 8th |
Tsugaike Kogen |
S-1 Grand Prix |
| 8th/9th |
Hakuba
Norikura Onsen |
"Telemakuri"
2009 |
| 14th |
Hakuba Cortina |
White Day &
Cortina fireworks |
| 15th |
Hakuba
Norikura Onsen |
Mochizuki and
Snowmobiles (children) |
| 15th |
Hakuba Cortina |
Event I |
| 16th |
Tsugaike Kogen |
Childrens Ski
Day |
| 16th |
Hakuba
Norikura Onsen |
Childrens Ski
Day |
| 20th |
Hakuba
Norikura Onsen |
Hakuba
Norikura Hinamatsuri Cup |
| 22nd |
Hakuba Cortina |
Event II |
| 22nd-31st |
Hakuba
Norikura Onsen |
Spring holiday
campaign |
| 24th-5/6 |
Tsugaike Kogen |
Spring ski
discount prices |
| 29th |
Hakuba Cortina |
Event III |
| 30th-4/6 |
Hakuba Cortina |
Spring ski
discount prices |
|
There are a number of ways to get to Otari
from the different regions of Japan. From Nagano City, Otari is around
approximately one hour drive through the scenic mountain roads via
Hakuba. Click on the map to the
right to see a larger version.... |
|
 |
