REPORT

The lineup for the HAKUBA Yoo-hoo! FESTIVAL 2026, held every May in front of Sky Ark (pictured), has been revealed! In addition, advance ticket sales (limited quantities) have been underway at select Alpen Group stores since 12/26 (Fri.). As I stepped out around the summit early in the morning, light snowfall with relatively large flakes was drifting down around me.
[South Slope]

I spoke with a family from Shiga (pictured), who told me, “We came out to ski during the New Year holidays. Our six-year-old daughter is enrolled in the NSD Kids Program. She’s been snowboarding for about three years now, but she’s still not improving much—haha.” Both the South and East Slopes featured well-compacted groomed snow surfaces made up of moist snow, with a light 5 to 7cm layer of fresh snow on top.
[East Slope]

As I started skiing, the light topping of new snow flowed smoothly over my skis. Despite it being a weekday, visitors were arriving early, including S-Class users who can board the gondola a little ahead of general guests, at around 7:55 a.m. Sunny Valley featured a firmly groomed, moist snow base until the midsection, transitioning to ungroomed snow lower down.
[East Slope]

At the free dog run at IWATAKE WHITE PARK, Johnny (pictured)—a dog visiting from Hyogo—was enjoying playing in the snow with his family. “Johnny loves snow and actually has more energy in winter. He’s a Rottweiler, which is a relatively rare breed in Japan,” they told me. Pets can also ride the gondola for ¥800 per animal.
[IWATAKE WHITE PARK]

　
[Hakuba Iwatake Details on 1/5 (Mon.)]
*Most Courses are OPEN (Except for VIEW A & B, Hikage, Sawa, White Ribbon, Kamoshika, Kometsuga)
*Operating Lifts … Gondola (8:00～) and totally 5 lifts.
*Fees … 1-Day Pass Adult JPY6,300, 6-12 y/o JPY3,900, A preschooler will be free per adult

*Printable Rental Discount Coupons!
Carving Ski・Snowboard 1-Day Rental Set JPY3,500 / Outerwear JPY2,500!
Carving Ski・Snowboard High Performance Model Rental JPY500 OFF!
Kid’s Ski・Snowboard 1-Day Rental Set JPY2,500 / Outerwear JPY1,500!

*Request for the original data of our photographs

reported by Snownavi