Cortina sits at the far northern head of the Hakuba Valley beneath a single alpine-styled red-roofed hotel, and its position against the Otari mountains catches the heaviest snowfall in the region — routinely the deepest base of any resort in the valley. The runs are short but steep, and the resort is unusual in Japan for openly permitting tree skiing across marked areas, which is what draws the powder crowd up the valley. Lifts usually run from mid-December into early May, with dates set by snowfall each season.

Best season

Winter

Crowd level

Moderate

Rating

4.3· 1,384 reviews

Opening hours

Daily 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Usual hours — confirm with the official site for holidays + seasonal closures.

Admission

A lift pass is required; a combined ticket covers neighbouring Norikura, and a Hakuba Valley pass covers multiple resorts.

Nearest station

Minami-Otari Station

Website

hgp.co.jp/cortina/ski/index.html

More in Chubu

Continue exploring

Nagamachi Samurai District

Ishikawa

Mino Washi Paper Town

Gifu

Chureito Pagoda

Yamanashi

Wajima Lacquerware Museum

Ishikawa

Shinshu Takato Castle Ruins

Nagano

ヒスイ海岸

Niigata

Ponshukan Echigo-Yuzawa

Niigata

Sotomo Scenic Coast

Fukui