Hakuba Cortina is a resort located in Otari village, just to the north of Hakuba village in northern Nagano Prefecture. The fairly compact bowl shape means most courses end up back at the base area. Hakuba Cortina often receives some of the heaviest snowfall in the Hakuba region and is popular for 'self-responsibility' powder tree run areas outside of the main specified courses. Hakuba Cortina is connected with the Hakuba Norikura Onsen resort and a common lift ticket is available as well as individual tickets. It has been operating since 1970.
Hakuba village is just over 40km to the west of Nagano city in the northern region of Nagano Prefecture. Hakuba was host to some of the major events of the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics including alpine skiing (at Hakuba Happo-one), ski jump events and cross country events. The backdrop of the North Alps makes for a spectacular mountain setting. Along with the ski and snowboard resorts in neighbouring Otari village to the north and Omachi City to the south - collectively known as 'Hakuba Valley' - this is one of the major ski and snowboard resort regions of Japan. This map shows the ski and snowboard resorts in the main Hakuba region. In recent years the Hakuba region has become one of the most popular winter sport regions of Japan for visitors from overseas.
Nagano Prefecture is located in the Chubu region of the main island of Honshu. Most of the Northern Alps, Central Alps and Southern Alps are located within Nagano (along with neighbouring prefectures). Nagano has the second highest number of ski and snowboard resorts in all of Japan and they are spread around the whole prefecture. Nagano city and many of the major ski resorts are located in the northern region.
Ski and snowboard lessons are available at Hakuba Cortina. There are also a number of independent ski and snowboard schools that cover the Hakuba area, please check the Lessons in English section for current listings on SnowJapan.
Equipment Rental
Ski Rental:
Available
Snowboard Rental:
Available
Ski and snowboard equipment rental is available. Ski and snowboard wear rental is also available.
Children's facilities
The 'Cortina Wonder Village Kids Park Area' is located in front of the Hotel Green Plaza. It is open from 9:00am until 4:00pm daily between 14th December 2019 and 5th April 2020. There is also the 'Yuki Asobi Park' (playing in the snow). A bus from the hotel to that area is available. Some charges applicable (a 1500 yen one day ticket including unlimited bouncy thing, tubing and sledding is available).
Special kids ski and snowboard lessons are also available at Hakuba Cortina.
The 'Kids House' child care service (for 3-6 year olds) is located in the main hotel at base; charges are 1,000 yen for 1 hour.
Park information
There is no specific snow park area. Usually plenty of excellent snow though. :)
Hakuba Cortina Season & Opening Times
Typical season is from Mid December until Early April
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
Daytime
Weekends and holidays
Normally open from 8:30am until 9:00pm
Weekdays
Normally open from 8:30am until 8:00pm
'Nighta' (night skiing)
Weekends and holidays
Yes
Weekdays
Yes
Opening information
Hakuba Cortina is normally open from 8:30am until 5:00pm in the daytime.
Nighta is from 21st December 2019 until 21st March 2020. On Saturdays and between 28th December 2019 and 4th January 2020, nighta is extended until 9:00pm - otherwise it ends at 8:00pm.
Hakuba Cortina Lift Ticket Charges
Adults
Child
Elementary School age
Senior
50 years & over
1 Day (8:30am-5pm)
4,200 yen
2,600 yen
3,700 yen
4 Hours
3,200 yen
2,000 yen
Nighta (from 5pm)
1,500 yen
1,000 yen
Season Ticket
40,000 yen
24,000 yen
32,000 yen
Norikura Cortina 1 Day
5,000 yen
3,500 yen
4,500 yen
Norikura Cortina Season
56,000 yen
36,000 yen
46,000 yen
Hakuba Valley 1 Day
6,100 yen
3,500 yen
Hakuba Valley 2 Days
11,000 yen
6,100 yen
Hakuba Valley 3 Days
16,300 yen
9,200 yen
Hakuba Valley 4 Days
21,700 yen
12,100 yen
Hakuba Valley 5 Days
27,100 yen
15,200 yen
Hakuba Valley 6 Days
32,500 yen
18,200 yen
Hakuba Valley 7 Days
37,900 yen
21,200 yen
2019-2020 Season Lift Tickets
'Norikura Cortina' tickets noted above are valid at both Hakuba Cortina and the connecting Hakuba Norikura Onsen resorts.
'Hakuba Valley' tickets The tickets marked as ‘Hakuba Valley’ can be used at any of 10 ski and snowboard resorts in the Omachi-Hakuba-Otari valley (listed below).
The 1 Day ticket is valid on the day of purchase. The 2 Day tickets can be used on any 2 days within three days of purchase. The 3 Day tickets can be used on any 3 days within five days of purchase. The 4 Day tickets can be used on any 4 days within seven days of purchase. The 5 Day tickets can be used on any 5 days within nine days of purchase. The 6 Day tickets can be used on any 6 days within ten days of purchase. The 7 Day tickets can be used on any 7 days within eleven days of purchase. Nighta is not included.
Child classification for Hakuba Valley tickets: 6-12 year olds.
Getting to Hakuba Cortina
By public transport
Train
57.4km from Nagano Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line
6.4km from Minami Otari Station on the Oito Line
13.7km from Hakuba Station on the Oito Line
Information
Hakuba Cortina is the most northerly ski resort in the Hakuba and Otari valley and close to the border with Niigata Prefecture. It is in fact just 36km from the Japan Sea coast in Itoigawa (Niigata). The closest expressway exit is Itoigawa IC on the Hokuriku Expressway. Most people arriving from the south though will get to the region either from the Nagano IC of the Joshinetsu Expressway (58km) or the Azumino IC on the Nagano Expressway (62km). Please note that Azumino IC used to be called Toyoshina IC - it was renamed in October 2012.
Hakuba Cortina is a few km from the main Route 148 road and the Minami Otari train station on the local Oito line. Nagano Station (Hokuriku Shinkasen line) is about 56km away a 90 minute or so journey.
Bus
There is a bus from Nagano Station to the Hotel Green Plaza Hakuba (at the base of the resort). The charge is 1000 yen for adults and 500 yen for children. The bus route takes about 100 minutes.
A free bus is also available that runs between Minami Otari Station and the base hotel.
By Car
40.6km from the Itoigawa IC on the Hokuriku Expressway
58.1km from the Nagano IC on the Joshinetsu Expressway
63.5km from the Azumino IC on the Nagano Expressway
Nearest national route: Route 148 (4.9km away)
Direction
Otari village is located in the north-western region of Nagano Prefecture, just to the north of Hakuba village. Route 148 goes north-south through the region.
Hakuba Cortina is the most northerly of the ski and snowboard resorts in this region, quite close to the border with Niigata Prefecture.
To get to Hakuba Cortina from the central area of Hakuba (Hakuba Station), head north on Route 148 towards Otari. Continue on Route 148 for about 8.8km. Turn left onto Prefecture 433 and follow the winding road for about 3km until reaching a sign to turn right for Hakuba Cortina.
If approaching from the north, turn right onto Prefecture 433 at the Tsugaike Kogen and Hakuba Norikura signpost before reaching Hakuba village.
Getting to the Hakuba region There are three main ways to approach the Hakuba region by road – from Nagano city (and the Nagano IC exit on the Joshinetsu Expressway), from the south (and the Azumino IC exit on the Nagano Expressway) and from the north (and the Itoigawa IC exit on the Hokuriku Expressway).
Approaching Hakuba village from Nagano IC (Joshinetsu Expressway) From the Nagano IC exit, turn right Prefecture Road 35 and head north for about 3.5km until arriving at the Nagano Minami By-pass (Route 19). Turn left onto Route 19 and drive by the river for around 13km until arriving at the Hakuba Nagano Toll Road. Turn onto this road (the normal charge is 210 yen per vehicle) and then continue straight on Prefecture Road 31 and then Prefecture Road 33 to head into Hakuba, which is well signposted. The journey from Nagano IC to central Hakuba is around 46km.
Approaching Hakuba village from Azumino IC (Nagano Expressway) From the Azumino IC exit, go straight ahead at the exit traffic lights and follow Prefecture Road 310 for just over 4.5km until reaching Route 147. Turn right onto Route 147 (signposted as Omachi and Matsukawa Village). Follow this road and then Route 148 into Hakuba. The journey from Azumino IC to central Hakuba is around 50km.
Approaching Hakuba village from Itoigawa IC (Hokuriku Expressway) From the Itoigawa IC exit, turn left to head south on Route 148 to the Hakuba area, passing through Otari Village along the way. The journey from Itoigawa IC to central Hakuba is about 45km.
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