Insider Ski & Snowboarding Tips

The largest and most central resort in the valley is Happo One (pronounced On Ay), spreading across 220 hectares. The slalom and ski jumping were held here during the 98 Winter Olympics, as the pitch is on the steeper side with a 1701 vertical meter drop. Happo possesses some more mellow terrain as well – check out the scenic Panorama and Saka cat tracks; the views will not disappoint. For those who like to catch air, head on over Happo Banks Terrain Park or ‘the Banks’ as its referred to by those in the know. On a powder day our suggestion would be to check out the tree runs on Skyline. Not as long as Cortina’s but just as fun.

On a clear day, head up to Reisen Grat, the resort’s highest peak and ski all the way down through Alpen, Usagidaira and Panarama, coming onto what was once the Women’s Slalom course and finishing up at the bottom of the Kokusai area. Worked up an appetite? At the bottom of the Kokusai chair is the Evergreen run Roots Café – a vegetarian eatery dedicated to sustainability and protecting the Japanese winters (plus they have wifi).

If vegetarianism doesn’t appeal, directly facing the Kokusai 1 Chair is the warm and inviting Luce. The restaurant is a delicious combination of traditional Japanese, Spanish and Italian fusion. Lunch and dinner menus are equally mouth watering and a completely unexpected surprise is the first-rate gluhwein – common to ski resorts elsewhere in the world but hard to come by in the land of the rising sun.

Happo One Resort Promo Video