Hakuba Cortina Ski Area
Address
Chikuni 12860-1, Otari-mura, Kitaazumi-gun, Nagano-ken, 399-9422
長野県北安曇郡小谷村千国12860-1
By train and public transport
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
Hakuba Cortina is the most northerly ski area 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.
There is usually a free bus from Minami Otari Station to the ski area.
Various other buses are available, including one from Nagano Station.
By road
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)
Otari Village is located in the northwestern region of Nagano Prefecture, just north of Hakuba Village. Route 148 runs north-south through the region.
Hakuba Cortina is located in Otari Village, though many people treat it as one of 'Hakuba' ski areas. It is the most northerly of the ski areas in the region and near the border with Niigata Prefecture.
To get to Hakuba Norikura Onsen from the central area of Hakuba (Hakuba Station), head north on Route 148 towards Otari. At the traffic lights after 2.3km, turn left onto Prefecture Road 433. Go past Tsugaike Kogen and Hakuba Norikura Onsen and continue to Hakuba Cortina.
If approaching from the north, before reaching Hakuba Village, turn right onto Prefecture 433 at the Tsugaike Kogen and Hakuba Norikura signpost.
General information on getting to the Hakuba region by road
From central Nagano City
Head west on Route 19 until arriving at the Hakuba Nagano Toll Road. Turn onto this road (the charge is 210 yen per car) and continue straight on Prefecture Road 31, then Prefecture Road 33, to head into Hakuba. It is clearly signposted. The journey from central Nagano to central Hakuba is about 42km.
From Nagano IC (Joshinetsu Expressway)
At the Nagano IC exit, turn right onto Prefecture Road 35 and head north for about 3.5km until the Nagano Minami Bypass (Route 19) traffic lights are reached. Turn left onto Route 19 and continue alongside the river for around 13km until arriving at the Hakuba Nagano Toll Road. See above for directions from there. The journey from Nagano IC to central Hakuba is about 46km.
From Azumino IC (Nagano Expressway)
At 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 Matsukawamura). Follow this road and then Route 148 into Hakuba. It is clearly signposted. The journey from Azumino IC to central Hakuba is around 50km.
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. It is clearly signposted. The journey from Itoigawa IC to central Hakuba is about 46km.
There is parking for 1,100 vehicles at the base area. Parking is free every day of the season.
Also nearby
Other ski areas in the region (or the nearest ski area for more remote destinations). Distances shown are approximate driving distances using main roads during the winter season.
Hakuba Norikura Onsen (about 3.3km) [physically connected]
Tsugaike Mountain Resort (about 5.1km)
Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field (about 9.9km)
Hakuba Happo-one (about 16.5km)
Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park (about 19.5km)
ABLE Hakuba Goryu (about 19.9km)
White Resort Hakuba Sanosaka (about 21.4km)
Kashimayari Skijo Family Park (about 28.1km)
Jigatake (about 40.5km)