This is what a 17 meter base looks like. This place closes in the winter due to too much snow.
The Tateyama – Kurobe Alpine route opened this year on Tuesday (17th April) with just a measly 17 meter wall of snow – the highest wall being 22 meters high. Hakuba is a great place to base yourself and get your ski legs in before heading up from Omachi and the Kurobe Dam side of the tour. There are no ski lifts however there is a big ropeway tram that takes in a huge expanse of terrain which is available for experienced backcountry skiers and boarders. For less experienced there are some easy hikes closer to the hotel and campsite area at the top. This area is well worth visiting even if you aren’t into snow sports or want to take a day off the resorts here. The scenery is absolutely spectacular any time of the year but the current snow walls make it a special event for April. The trip includes electric buses through long tunnels, a walk across one of the biggest dams in Japan, a very steep tram ride and a ropeway. We can certainly recommend taking the time out of your springtime skiing to check it out for the day. The trip is suitable for children and elderly folk. The snowalls are only 25km away as the crow flys from the Hakuba resorts however it is certainly a full day trip to complete the return tour. It is worthwhile finishing the day in a relaxing onsen in Omachi before the 30 minute drive back to Hakuba.
Here is a link to the official english site and here is the Japanese site
For package deals including accommodation and transfers email info@whitehorse-hakuba.com
