Hakuba Valley Ski Groups for Travel Agents

The short answer

Hakuba Valley is a chain of ten ski resorts in the Northern Alps of Nagano, Japan. It drew a record 1,925,000 visitors in the 2025–26 winter, 48 per cent of them from overseas. Explera DMC advises agencies to hold hotels, ski schools and rental equipment early, and to split groups by ability across the resorts.

Ski groups from Asia increasingly ask for Japan, and Hakuba Valley is one of the places they name. Our Japan team covers the resorts and the logistics in its Hakuba Valley guide for groups. This is the short version for agencies that sell Japan alongside our other destinations.

How Busy Is Hakuba Valley?

1,925,000 visitors in the 2025–26 winter season, a record.
925,000 from overseas, 48 per cent of the total and up 17 per cent on the season before.
Pressures named by the local tourism body: staff shortages, traffic and the seasonal peak.

Skiers spread across a wide snowy slope below a ridge of trees

Why Does Hakuba Suit Groups?

The ten resorts run along one valley, from Jigatake in the south to Hakuba Cortina in the north. Some suit beginners and families, others strong skiers, so a group can split by level during the day and meet again in the evening. Lift tickets and passes that cover the valley are sold each season, and a shuttle links the resorts, although for a group we usually charter a vehicle so the timings fit lessons and equipment.

How Should Agencies Plan a Hakuba Group?

Book early. With almost half of visitors from overseas, the best hotels, ski schools and rental shops fill first.
Travel by train and road. Groups take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagano and transfer to the valley by coach.
Confirm the season's pass rules. They change from year to year.
Add a day off the slopes. Nagano city, Matsumoto and the snow monkeys of Jigokudani are within reach.

A local train runs past houses after heavy snow in Japan

Frequently Asked Questions

How many ski resorts are in Hakuba Valley?

Ten, according to Hakuba Valley's official site, from Jigatake in the south to Hakuba Cortina in the north.

How many people visited Hakuba Valley last winter?

A record 1,925,000 in the 2025–26 season, 48 per cent of them from overseas.

How do groups get to Hakuba?

By Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagano, then by road. We arrange a chartered coach for the transfer.

Is Hakuba suitable for beginners?

Yes. Several resorts have gentle slopes and ski schools, so a group with mixed abilities can ski in the same valley.

Sources

Where Explera Fits

Our Japan team books hotels, ski schools, rental equipment and transfers for ski groups, and compares Hakuba with the resorts in our Hokkaido ski note.

Write to b2b@explera.jp or message +66 93 656 8090 on WhatsApp. Explera DMC is IATA TIDS-registered (96215733) and an ASTA member (900408341).