Featured Image: Hiroya Nakata, Hakuba Valley
You're like us, dear reader. Summer isn't really summer. It's just the time of the year when the sun grows hotter and longer days mean more time to think about skiing. You get it. With that comes the inevitable daydream about next winter's pow mission, and that's where planning ahead is crucial.
If that pow mission involves Japan, you've probably got more questions than answers. We can't help solve everything with one article, but we can help you pick the right pass, and it might not be what you think. While there are plenty of small resorts that shy away from the mega pass options (and those resorts are certainly worth investigating), sometimes a multi-pass is the right pick for your trip.
One product that falls into that category is the Epic Pass, and Vail Resorts' offering delivers more than you might realize in Japan. With great options on both Honshu (the main island) and Hokkaido (the northern island), its offerings give you a chance to experience a wide range of terrain, snow, and culture across Japan.
Honshu
On Honshu, the Epic Pass grants you access to 10 resorts in Hakuba Valley. The crown jewel of the Japanese Alps, Hakuba Valley, holds some of the steepest terrain in all of Japan. While it's true that the area usually receives less snow than most places in Hokkaido, there is still plenty of good skiing.
The resorts in Hakuba prove exactly that. With an Epic Pass, you can pick from Jigatake Snow Resort, Kashimayari Snow Resort, White Resort Hakuba Sanosaka, ABLE Hakuba Goryu Snow Resort, Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park, Hakuba Happo-one Snow Resort, Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field, Tsugaike Mountain Resort, Hakuba Norikura Onsen Snow Resort and Hakuba Cortina Snow Resort. Each resort falls under the Hakuba Valley umbrella.
In total, Hakuba Valley is Japan's largest snow resort, with 96 lifts, 131 runs, nearly 400 inches of annual snowfall and peaks that stretch over 6,000 feet (3,000 meters). The draw here is the abundance of experiences, with each resort boasting different terrain and atmospheres. Head to Cortina Snow Resort for the most snow in the Valley, or go to Tsugaike for more family-friendly terrain. All 10 resorts are available with no peak restrictions.
Hokkaido
Head north and you'll find Rusutsu Resort, the Epic Pass offering in Hokkaido. Rusutsu is a goliath of a resort, made up of three distinct mountains, Mount Isola, East Mountain & West Mountain, with over 1,300 acres of terrain, all connected by four gondolas and 15 chairlifts. The best part? You'll find over 550 inches of annual snowfall here, as Hokkaido is consistently one of the snowiest places in the world.
It's just 90 minutes away from the Sapporo airport, making it convenient to get to and from. Still, with so much of the best glades and tree skiing on earth to explore, you can easily get away from the crowds, especially if you're prepared and head out to take advantage of the nearby backcountry.
The Epic Pass gets you five unrestricted days of riding at Rusutsu with no limits around peak days. You'll have to spend your time wisely on each of the three peaks, as we recommend spending one day on each and fully exploring all the potential held on each.
