The Hakuba Alps Hotel is a large hotel that offers good value accommodation that’s fully ski-in ski-out to the Norikura Ski Resort of Hakuba, which is inter-connected with Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort. A stay at the Hakuba Alps Hotel Norikura provides a reasonably Japanese experience.
Where is the Hakuba Alps Hotel?
The Hakuba Alps Hotel is located at
Norikura ski resort (in the town of Otari) which is located at the northern end (the quiet end) of
Hakuba Valley, 10km north of Hakuba train station.
Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort is inter-connected with Norikura via the slopes (you can purchase a dual resort lift pass), although it’s 3.7km by road to the base of Cortina.
Tsugaike Ski Resort and village is 2km to the south, and there are occasional shuttles to connect the hotel with Tsugaike.
The hotel offers a free shuttle to/from the Minami-Otari train station which is 5.4km away.
Getting buses to other Hakuba ski resorts is somewhat clunky. If you’ve got a car because you want to readily explore all the Hakuba ski resorts, parking at the hotel is free.
Hotel Rooms
Hakuba Alps Hotel has twin western rooms with a sofa for up to 2 guests. Or choose from Japanese/western combo rooms with 2 single beds plus a Japanese tatami floor seating area where 2 additional guests can sleep on futons.
All hotel rooms have an ensuite bathroom and TV, and some rooms offer views of the ski slopes.
Hotel Facilities & Services
The hotel has an onsite onsen with gender segregated baths, including indoor baths and open air baths that overlooks the ski slope.
There is also a hot mineral springs jacuzzi and swimming pool complex (where you wear your bathers) that overlooks the ski runs (additional charge).
Other facilities & services:
- Ski/snowboarding locker room with large electronic lockers - the ski room heads straight out to the slopes
- Sauna
- Outdoor swimming pool (seasonal)
- Wellness centre
- Karaoke
- Ski rentals
- Gift shop selling snacks and beverages
- Plenty of vending machines
- Massage chairs for a small fee
- Games arcade
- Snow play area for small children just outside the hotel
- Ski and snowboard lessons (instructors may not be fluent in English)
Dining
The main restaurant is a buffet restaurant that overlooks part of the slopes. An array of Japanese and western dishes are served for breakfast and dinner.
The hotel also has two other restaurants (open during peak periods) that require a reservation 24 hours prior.
The Norikura village has a couple of other dining options but they’re a decent walk away, or alternatively you can utilise the shuttle service into Tsugaike where there’s a small selection of restaurants.