For the 2026-27 season, Hakuba Happo-one plans to open five new areas: three ungroomed tree-run zones high on the mountain, a flowing course of banks and jumps, a gentle first tree run, a quiet beginners' area and a snow-play park where you do not need skis at all.
We are the staff at Shiroumaso, a ryokan in Hakuba near Happo-one. This guide explains what each new area offers and which one suits beginners, families and experienced skiers.
Based on Happo-one's 2026-27 season briefing for local accommodations (October 2026). The resort says the images in the briefing are illustrative, and details such as exact locations, opening dates and prices may change. The photos in this article are general Hakuba ski photos, not pictures of the new areas.
Why Happo-one is changing
Happo-one has set a new snow-season concept: "the freedom to challenge yourself". The resort is keeping its tradition of mountaineering and alpine skiing, and its steep terrain for improving your technique. What changes is how the ski area is managed. Instead of limiting skiers to set courses, the resort plans to identify only the dangerous places and let you ride freely everywhere else.
The resort also wants Happo-one to be easier to enjoy for first-time skiers and for people who do not ski. The five new areas follow both ideas.
The five new areas at a glance
| Area | What it is | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Upper tree runs: Kurobishi Trees, Sodeguro Trees and Skyline Trees | Three ungroomed tree zones high on the mountain, where the deepest snow lasts | Intermediate to advanced |
| Panorama Flow | A course along a forest road with rolling banks and jumps | Beginner to intermediate |
| Sakka Tree Adventure | A first tree run in a gentle forest with widely spaced trees | Beginner to intermediate |
| Usagidaira Bunny Area | The gentlest starting point on Happo-one: wide and quiet, also used for lessons | Beginner |
| Nakiyama Snow Land | Sledding, snow play and snowmen. No skis or snowboard needed | Everyone |
What each area offers
Upper tree runs for powder days
Kurobishi Trees, Sodeguro Trees and Skyline Trees are three ungroomed areas among the trees on the upper mountain. The resort describes them as the places where the deepest snow lasts. They are for confident intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders. Ungroomed terrain varies with the snow, so follow the signs and the resort's daily information on which areas are open.
Panorama Flow: banks and jumps along a forest road
Panorama Flow follows a forest road with rolling banks and small jumps. The resort compares it to riding a wave. It is designed for beginners to intermediates who want something more playful than a groomed slope.
Sakka Tree Adventure: your first run through the trees
In the Sakka area, Sakka Tree Adventure is a gentle forest with plenty of space between the trees. It is meant as a first step into tree skiing for beginners and intermediates.
Usagidaira Bunny Area: a quiet place to learn
The Usagidaira Bunny Area, on the lower part of the Usagidaira slope, is described as the gentlest place to start at Happo-one: wide, easy and quiet. It is also used for lessons. The ticket price for this area was still being set at the time of the briefing.
Nakiyama Snow Land: snow play without skis
Nakiyama Snow Land, at the Nakiyama base, is for sledding, playing in the snow and building snowmen. You do not need skis or a snowboard. Entry costs ¥1,000. Guests with a lift ticket valid that day for a half day or more can also enter. It suits families with small children, or anyone in your group who does not ski.
Which new area suits your group?
| Your group | Where to start | Ticket to consider |
|---|---|---|
| First time on skis | Usagidaira Bunny Area, with a lesson | Check the Bunny Area price on site |
| Beginners who can turn | Sakka Tree Adventure and Panorama Flow | Full-mountain ticket, or the Happo Debut ticket for the base lifts |
| Families with small children | Nakiyama Snow Land, then the base slopes | Snow Land entry (¥1,000) or a half-day ticket |
| Confident intermediate and advanced | The upper tree runs on a powder day | Full-mountain ticket |
For prices and how to buy tickets online, see our Happo-one lift ticket guide. To compare Happo-one with the other nine resorts, read the Hakuba ski resort guide.
Safety in ungroomed and tree areas
Tree runs and ungroomed terrain carry more risk than groomed slopes. Ride with a partner, follow the signs and closures, and keep within the resort boundary unless you have backcountry training and equipment. If you are new to tree skiing, a lesson is the safest way to begin.
More is planned after this season
The resort plans to expand its ungroomed and tree-run terrain further and to offer more lessons and courses for skiers who want to try backcountry skiing. A council with Japan's Ministry of the Environment and Hakuba Village, planned for October 2026, will look at how to improve experiences in the national park area above the ski area in both summer and winter. The resort says these plans may change.
A base for a week on the mountain
Trying the new areas often takes more than one visit: a powder morning for the tree runs, a lesson day for beginners, a snow-play afternoon for children. Shiroumaso is a ryokan near Happo-one, with local cuisine and a private onsen to warm up in after skiing. From December, we accept stays of five nights or more, which gives you time to try several areas. Accommodation bookings are available below.
Frequently asked questions
What are the new areas at Happo-one for 2026-27?
Happo-one plans five new areas: the upper tree runs (Kurobishi Trees, Sodeguro Trees and Skyline Trees), Panorama Flow, Sakka Tree Adventure, the Usagidaira Bunny Area and Nakiyama Snow Land.
Does Happo-one have tree runs?
Yes. For 2026-27 the resort plans three ungroomed tree zones on the upper mountain for intermediate to advanced skiers, plus Sakka Tree Adventure, a gentle tree run for beginners.
Can non-skiers enjoy Happo-one?
Yes. Nakiyama Snow Land is for sledding and snow play, with no skis or snowboard needed. Entry is ¥1,000, and guests with a lift ticket valid that day for a half day or more can also enter.
Is Happo-one good for beginners?
Yes. The new Usagidaira Bunny Area is a wide, quiet place to learn, and the Happo Debut ticket covers seven gentle base lifts for ¥4,900 for adults in peak season.
When do the new areas open?
The resort says the new areas will open during the 2026-27 season. Opening depends on snow, and the dates for each area had not been announced when we checked. Check Happo-one's official website and the information at the resort.
Information checked November 3, 2026, from Happo-one's 2026-27 season briefing and official website. Plans, prices and opening dates may change.
Keep planning your trip
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