Search Hakuba Connect

FAQ Winter

Our knowledge of the resort comes from years of responding to email enquiries, getting ourselves lost, finding ourselves, late-night bar conversations, your feedback, plus translations of Japanese brochures. Find out what Hakuba is like before you visit, learn a bit about the history of the town, the surrounding area, and what you can expect from the weather.
Winter FAQ
Why does it snow so much?
During the winter months from December to March, low pressure systems from Siberia and the Artic region bring cold dry air over the Sea of Japan. It is there that these cold pressure systems pick up the moisture. Hakuba is quite close to the Sea of Japan so the systems do not have to travel far inland before dumping fresh dry (cold) powder all over the 3000m peaks of the Japanese Alps. Hakuba Cortina is the closest to the sea (only about 30km) so naturally it receives the biggest dumps! Please see "Weather Report" for constant updates and powder forecasts All the resorts have different times for opening the lifts. Be careful because not all the lifts in the same resort open at the same time. Please check “Ski Areas” for lift openings.Top of page!
What is the average tempreature in Winter?
Hakuba has a relatively mild tempreature of about -3c.Top of page!
What clothing do I need for around town?
Around the town we reccommend wearing ski jacket and jeans. All the restaurants are casual. Top of page!
What type of footwear should I bring?
Because of the snow fall we reccommend wearing boots in winter. Children's gum boots can also save some feet from getting wet.Top of page!
I am driving, do I need snow chains to snow tyres on my car?
Yes. Either snow tyres or snow chains are required for driving in the Japanese Alps. If you are renting a car from one of the cities make sure you ask for snow tyres and or snow chains. Top of page!
How can I find out if it is going to snow or not?
Check our in depth weather report for the most upto date weather information on Hakuba. Weather Report. Top of page!
What is going on in the resort in Winter?
Be sure to check our event listing. There are annual events throughout the season in Hakuba.Top of page!
What can I do on a bad weather day?
Coming Soon.Top of page!