Hakuba Valley Lift Passes

You can purchase this in advance from registered travel agents or at Hakuba Base Camp. These lift passes are valid for 1 – 14 days, and apart from the 1 day pass, include rest days along the way. So, for example, a 6 day lift pass is valid for a 10 day period, meaning you can ski for 6 out of 10 days.

The advantages to this pass are follows

1. You do not have to line up at the lift ticket office at each ski resort each morning. You can ski straight on to the lifts.
2. Users of the Hakuba Valley lift passes can ride the Hakuba Valley Shuttle buses free of charge (usually 510yen per person one way).
3. You can ski as many resorts in a day as you want, which is useful if a certain resort has to close due to weather.
4. You can purchase in advance and have it waiting for pick up at Hakuba Base Camp, or delivered to your accommodation prior to your check in.

Conversely, the disadvantages to this pass are

1. They only come in Adult and Child Variants, so Seniors and Youths miss out
2. It is non-refundable once purchased, so if you get injured or have to leave earlier than planned you need to make an insurance claim
3. It is generally cheaper to buy daily lift passes for a specific resort.

On the whole, those looking for convenience and flexibility, the Hakuba Valley Lift pass is probably a better option, while those on tight budgets, seniors and youth may be better investigating getting a one resort pass on a daily basis.