Jiigatake Ski Resort

Jiigatake is the Southernmost Ski Resort in Hakuba Valley. It is often overlooked due to the distance from central Hakuba. There are several shuttles per day from Happo Information Center and Hakuba Base Camp, but it very much advised to rent a car so you can enjoy a full day at Jiigatake Ski Resort.

The resort is very much focused on Families and Kid’s. It has one of the largest kid’s areas in the valley, and sleds etc are available for hire. The kid’s zone is accessed from a unusual lift (unique in Hakuba Valley). It is a giant sled that sit about 20 people. It is winched by cable from the bottom of the kids slopes to the top. A day pass for kids only costs 500yen for this lift.

The main resort has 4 pair lifts, making it the smallest resort in Hakuba Valley. All fours lifts are pair lift. Three of the lifts are at the base of the resort and offer some of the best beginners terrain in the valley, with a gentle wide slope, and generally not very crowded at all.

The upper lift (#3 lift) has a bit of intermediate terrain, but there is no real advance terrain at the resort.

The resort has a very relaxing mellow atmosphere to it. It’s a great resort just to pass a day away from the crowds.

Now under new management, the resort is upgrading facilities and adding many more attractions. We have covered the Snow Mobile Tours in season 20-21. But there are also other fun things to do here.

The main base center houses the ticket office, rental and lesson info and the main restaurant. The meals is standard resort fare, with curries, ramen and spaghetti etc. There is also a pizza restaurant next door to the main base center.

If you do have a car, you may want to stop in Omachi Onsen Hot Spring on the way home (or even spend a night here at one of the Ryokan or hotels). Omachi Onsen is famous across Japan, and is located only about 3km from Jiigatake Ski Resort.

If you are here for a week or so, the a trip down to Jiigatake with the kids will be a fun day for all.

Note that Jiigatake Ski Resort uses paper tickets, so if you are using a Hakuba Valley pass, you need to go to the ticket counter, present your Hakuba Valley Lift Pass, and they will give you a day pass to ride the lifts.