Happo-one is the headline act: the Olympic downhill mountain, with long, steep, sustained pitches and a big vertical drop. Hakuba 47 and Goryu connect together and hold the valley's best terrain park. At the northern end, Cortina and Tsugaike are the powder magnets, with tree runs and lift-accessed backcountry that rival anywhere in Japan.

Iwatake, Sanosaka and the smaller areas round out the pass with gentler, quieter cruising — ideal for mixed-ability groups and families who want space.

Hakuba is Japan's premier backcountry hub. Marked gates at Happo-one and Tsugaike open onto genuine alpine touring beneath the Alps' high peaks, and splitboard and ski-touring culture here is deep and well-supported by local guides.

This is real mountain terrain with avalanche exposure. Always go with an avalanche-certified guide and full safety gear until you know the zone intimately.