Tsugaike Mountain Resort in HAKUBA VALLEY, Nagano Prefecture, will begin its 2026-27 winter season on Tuesday, December 1, 2026. The resort, operated by Tsugaike Gondola Lift Co., Ltd., aims to be a sustainable, year-round destination where visitors can enjoy nature in every season. The opening date may change depending on weather and snow conditions.
Located at the northern end of the Hakuba foothills, Tsugaike Mountain Resort offers views of the Northern Alps and is known for its abundant powder snow. It has 10 courses suited to everyone from beginners to advanced skiers, including a long course with a maximum run length of 5,000 m.
This season, the resort has again made major infrastructure investments aimed at creating stable slope conditions that are less affected by snow shortages and weather, and it has set the 2026-27 opening date for December 1, 2026. With its powder snow and expansive slopes, it plans to welcome many guests from Japan and overseas. The winter season is planned to run from December 1, 2026, to May 5, 2027.
18 New Snowmaking Machines, Including the Latest DemacLenko "Titan 5.0" Model
To create stable slope conditions for the Tuesday, December 1 opening, the resort is adding 18 new snowmaking machines, including seven units of DemacLenko's latest "Titan 5.0" model, the newest (2026) model of the company's fan-type snowmaking machines. The aim is to provide high-quality snow and good slope conditions from early in the season. Together with the existing 74 machines, the resort will have 92 in total, significantly boosting snowmaking capacity across the slopes.
New snowmaking machines are being installed on the connecting course from the Hannoki slope (ハンの木ゲレンデ), one of Tsugaike's main courses, to the "T3" lift that begins operating this season. This is intended to keep the course stable with plenty of snow throughout the season so that skiers can enjoy longer runs. Machines are also being installed along the connecting passages around the Snow Plaza (雪の広場), addressing snow shortages in key areas and making it smoother and more comfortable to move around the slopes.
Tsugaike Mountain Resort is working to prepare slopes with excellent glide so that visitors can enjoy a comfortable snow experience.
First Replacement in 35 Years: New Six-Person Chairlift "T3" Under Construction
Construction status as of October 9, 2026.
As part of its major infrastructure investment, the resort is building the six-person chairlift "T3," scheduled to begin operating in late December 2026. The start of operation may change depending on construction progress, confirmation by the relevant authorities, weather, and other circumstances.
The T3 replaces the existing "Hannoki No. 3 Quad Lift" (ハンの木第3クワッドリフト) with a six-person chairlift using the latest LEITNER-POMA model in Japan, equipped with the company's gearless "Direct Drive" system. The Direct Drive system delivers excellent quietness and a smooth, stress-free ride.
The biggest point of this lift renewal is a dramatic cut in ride time. The ride is shortened by about two minutes, from the current 7 minutes 6 seconds to 5 minutes 12 seconds. This reduces the cold and stress of riding the lift and leaves more time for skiing and snowboarding on the slopes.
The T3 has the longest route length at Tsugaike Mountain Resort and is expected to make getting around much more comfortable. The resort describes it as a symbolic investment that raises the appeal of the entire resort.
Early-Bird Season Passes and Lift Tickets Offer Up to 34% Off
This season, in addition to regular early-bird tickets, early-bird season passes and lift tickets with a "Cancellation Peace-of-Mind Option" are on sale. These are designed for guests who can no longer visit because of a sudden change of plans, such as illness or injury. If a guest cancels before the ticket is issued on site and within the cancellation period set for each ticket type, an amount equivalent to 80% of the early-bird price without the cancellation option is refunded. Cancellation and refunds are not possible after the ticket has been issued.
Early-Bird Season Pass
https://tsugaike.nippon-ski.com/ja/early.html
Early-Bird Season Pass Benefits
- A ¥1,200 lunch voucher, usable at Tsugaike Mountain Resort (new this season)
- Free same-day parking at the Tsugaike Central Parking Lot and Daiichi (No. 1) Parking Lot on days of skiing
- Companion discount coupons for the season pass purchaser's companions (five coupons, each ¥2,000 off the regular price)
- A free annual plan with all features of Slopes, a ski and snowboard tracking app
- Discount coupons for special fuel prices at partner gas stations
- One free one-way ticket for the "Tsugaike Ropeway" in spring
- 50% off lift tickets at ski resorts in North America and Australia owned and operated by VAIL RESORTS
For the conditions and details of each benefit, please check the sales page on the official website.
Early-Bird Lift Ticket
https://tsugaike.nippon-ski.com/ja/earley-lift-ticket.html
Early-Bird Lunch Pack Ticket: 1-Day Ticket Plus a ¥1,200 Meal Voucher
https://tsugaike.nippon-ski.com/ja/earley-lift-ticket.html
Note: Adult refers to junior high school students and older, child refers to elementary school students, and senior refers to those aged 60 and over. Preschool children (under 6) are free.
NSD Kids Program: Unlimited Skiing at 16 Resorts, Now Accepting Applications for 2026-27
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The program returns this season with expanded content so that children can fully enjoy their winter adventures.
Two popular snow resorts, Lotte Arai Resort in Niigata Prefecture and Whiteworld Oze Iwakura in Gunma Prefecture, have newly joined, bringing the total to 16 resorts where participants can ski without limit.
Tetsuya Okabe, a former member of Japan's national alpine ski team, has also become the official ambassador of the NSD Kids Program. During the season, children can ski with him at various events, including the popular "Let's Ski Together!" event.
With its ambassadors, the program will again support children's challenges and growth this season.
Application Periods for the NSD Kids Program
- First application period: August 3, 2026, to January 31, 2027 (participation fee: ¥1,800)
- Second application period: February 1, 2027, to March 31, 2027 (participation fee: ¥3,500)
For details, see the NSD Kids Program official website: https://www.nippon-ski.jp/kids/
Note: The participating resorts are as of October 13, 2026. For the latest information, please check the NSD Kids Program official website.
Sustainable Slope Operations With a Smaller Environmental Footprint
Tsugaike Mountain Resort is promoting slope operations that respond to climate change and take the environment into account.
- Expanded fleet of the latest snowmaking machines: These make efficient snowmaking possible with less electricity and water, with the aim of reducing energy consumption.
- Efforts to reduce environmental impact: The resort is actively pursuing sustainable operations, including reducing kerosene use by renewing boilers at its facilities and introducing rebuilt snow groomers, which support resource recycling and lower the environmental impact of manufacturing.
Through these facility upgrades and energy-saving investments, the resort aims to build a sustainable destination that coexists with natural resources. It plans to keep providing a safe and comfortable experience for all visitors while leaving beautiful snowscapes for future generations.
Resort Information
- Winter season: December 1, 2026, to May 5, 2027 (planned). Opening and closing dates may change depending on weather and other conditions.
- Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (hours may change by season)
- Address: 12840-1 Oaza Chikuni Otsu, Otari Village, Kitaazumi District, Nagano Prefecture 399-9422
- Phone: 050-1809-2606
- Access: About 4.5 hours from Tokyo, about 4 hours from Nagoya, about 6 hours from Osaka, and about 2.5 hours from Kanazawa. About 1 hour 30 minutes via wide roads from the nearest interchanges (Nagano IC, Azumino IC, and Itoigawa IC).
- Official website: https://www.tsugaike.gr.jp/snow
