Resort Comparison

Hakuba Valley vs Madarao Kogen

The Verdict

Hakuba Valley leads with 3 wins

Best for Families

Madarao Kogen

Ski school from age 3

Best Snowfall

Hakuba Valley

174.8" average season

Best Terrain

Hakuba Valley

4,265' of vertical

Best Value

Madarao Kogen

$55 day pass

Easiest Access

Hakuba Valley

Most accessible

Best Village Vibe

Madarao Kogen

Charming, walkable village

Hakuba Valley

Nagano, Japan

$$Epic

Madarao Kogen

Nagano, Japan

$$Independent

Family

Ski School Age

—

Full-Day Program

Yes

—

Beginner Terrain

7.5

8.0

—

Walkability

6.0

8.0

—

Village Vibe

7.5

8.0

—

Mountain

Vertical

4,265'

1,968'

—

Skiable Area

2,500 ac

212 ac

—

Green Runs

35%

30%

—

Trails

200

—

Lifts

130

—

Getting There

Airport

NRT

—

Drive Time

4.5h

—

Road Ease

6.0

—

Cost

Passes

Epic

Independent

—

Day Pass

$65

$55

—

Cost Tier

Moderate

—

Village

Dining

Good

Moderate

—

Grocery

Yes

—

Spa

Yes

—

Pool

Yes

—

Hakuba Valley

Nagano, Japan

$$Epic

Family

Ski School Age3+

Full-Day ProgramYes

Beginner Terrain

7.5

Walkability

6.0

Village Vibe

7.5

Mountain

Vertical4,265'

Skiable Area2,500 ac

Green Runs35%

Trails200

Getting There

AirportNRT

Drive Time4.5h

Road Ease

6.0

Cost

Day Pass$65

Cost TierModerate

Madarao Kogen

Nagano, Japan

$$Independent

Family

Ski School Age3+

Full-Day ProgramYes

Beginner Terrain

8.0

Walkability

8.0

Village Vibe

8.0

Mountain

Vertical1,968'

Skiable Area212 ac

Green Runs30%

Trails31

Getting There

AirportNRT

Drive Time5h

Road Ease

6.0

Cost

Day Pass$55

Cost TierModerate

Snowfall Comparison

Live conditions

Hakuba Valley

174.8"

avg season

2024-25 season

263.2" total

151%

Madarao Kogen

154.8"

avg season

2024-25 season

257" total

166%

Season Accumulation (10-Year Average)

OctNovDecJanFebMarApr

175"87"0"

Hakuba Valley

Madarao Kogen

Key Insights

Madarao Kogen excels for families prioritizing beginner terrain and walkability, while Hakuba Valley offers more terrain for diverse skill levels.

Key Differences

Madarao Kogen's walkability score (8.0) exceeds Hakuba Valley's (6.0), making it better for families prioritizing walkability
Hakuba Valley offers more terrain variety (2,500 acres vs 212 acres)
Hakuba Valley has greater vertical drop (4,265' vs 1,968'), offering longer runs

Best For

Hakuba Valley

Advanced skiers seeking terrain variety (2,500 acres)
Parents with young children (ski school from age 3)
Budget-conscious families

Madarao Kogen

Those seeking a walkable village experience
Parents with young children (ski school from age 3)
Budget-conscious families

Home

Resort Comparison

Hakuba Valley vs Madarao Kogen

The Verdict

Hakuba Valley leads with 3 wins

Best for Families

Madarao Kogen

Ski school from age 3

Best Snowfall

Hakuba Valley

174.8" average season

Best Terrain

Hakuba Valley

4,265' of vertical

Best Value

Madarao Kogen

$55 day pass

Easiest Access

Hakuba Valley

Most accessible

Best Village Vibe

Madarao Kogen

Charming, walkable village

Hakuba Valley

Nagano, Japan

$$Epic

Madarao Kogen

Nagano, Japan

$$Independent

Family

Ski School Age

—

Full-Day Program

Yes

—

Beginner Terrain

7.5

8.0

—

Walkability

6.0

8.0

—

Village Vibe

7.5

8.0

—

Mountain

Vertical

4,265'

1,968'

—

Skiable Area

2,500 ac

212 ac

—

Green Runs

35%

30%

—

Trails

200

—

Lifts

130

—

Getting There

Airport

NRT

—

Drive Time

4.5h

—

Road Ease

6.0

—

Cost

Passes

Epic

Independent

—

Day Pass

$65

$55

—

Cost Tier

Moderate

—

Village

Dining

Good

Moderate

—

Grocery

Yes

—

Spa

Yes

—

Pool

Yes

—

Hakuba Valley

Nagano, Japan

$$Epic

Family

Ski School Age3+

Full-Day ProgramYes

Beginner Terrain

7.5

Walkability

6.0

Village Vibe

7.5

Mountain

Vertical4,265'

Skiable Area2,500 ac

Green Runs35%

Trails200

Getting There

AirportNRT

Drive Time4.5h

Road Ease

6.0

Cost

Day Pass$65

Cost TierModerate

Madarao Kogen

Nagano, Japan

$$Independent

Family

Ski School Age3+

Full-Day ProgramYes

Beginner Terrain

8.0

Walkability

8.0

Village Vibe

8.0

Mountain

Vertical1,968'

Skiable Area212 ac

Green Runs30%

Trails31

Getting There

AirportNRT

Drive Time5h

Road Ease

6.0

Cost

Day Pass$55

Cost TierModerate

Snowfall Comparison

Live conditions

Hakuba Valley

174.8"

avg season

2024-25 season

263.2" total

151%

Madarao Kogen

154.8"

avg season

2024-25 season

257" total

166%

Season Accumulation (10-Year Average)

OctNovDecJanFebMarApr

175"87"0"

Hakuba Valley

Madarao Kogen

Key Insights

Madarao Kogen excels for families prioritizing beginner terrain and walkability, while Hakuba Valley offers more terrain for diverse skill levels.

Key Differences

Madarao Kogen's walkability score (8.0) exceeds Hakuba Valley's (6.0), making it better for families prioritizing walkability
Hakuba Valley offers more terrain variety (2,500 acres vs 212 acres)
Hakuba Valley has greater vertical drop (4,265' vs 1,968'), offering longer runs