VILLA Schole HAKUBA

The staff at Villa Schole Hakuba were incredibly kind and really went out of their way to look after us. Our room was spacious and comfortable, with a beautiful mountain view in the morning. After skiing, the onsite onsen was amazing, and breakfast each day was solid and comforting. We also tried dinner there one night, and the wagyu shabu-shabu was really, really good, better than we expected. Getting out to ski was easy, with a dry room for gear, shuttle bus access to other resorts, and Iwatake just about a five-minute walk away. Everything felt thoughtfully arranged and easy. We loved our stay and would absolutely come back to Hakuba.

The onsen was a big reason we’d come back. It was kept very clean and in good working order, with a comfortable temperature, though how well it’s kept does depend on other guests leaving things open or not washing first. The indoor and outdoor baths are chlorinated, but soaking after a day on the slopes felt amazing. There are five shower stations and room for five or more people in the onsen and sauna, yet it was rarely busy. My one gripe was a fuel smell near the boiler by the women’s outdoor bath when it was windy. I could live with it to enjoy the hot water and snow falling around me. We stayed five nights in February and loved the cosy, friendly feel. It’s very well organized for skiers and boarders, including pick-up and drop-off at the bus stop. Our traditional six-person family room was just for the two of us, so we had lots of space and could sleep on doubled-up futons. Our Western frames aren’t made for getting up and down off the floor, but we managed. The tatami, mountain view, table, TV, and great heating made it worthwhile. For the gondola, it’s a two-minute skate-ski followed by a three-minute walk along the road. It’s not quite ski-out, though ski-in might work with enough speed and the right snow. You can buy a lift card at the hotel with one day on it for Iwatake, then top it up online each day for any resort using the number on the front. The drying room is huge. Even with the hotel full, there was plenty of space, and our boots were warm and dry every morning. We brought our own food because we’re vegan. People who had the halfboard package spoke highly of the food and service. There’s no food to buy onsite, just a vending machine with soft drinks, beer, and bottles of hot-ish coffee and tea. A few restaurants in Iwatake Shinde are about a 20-minute walk away, but book restaurants and taxis early. There are also good lunch options at the top of the slopes.

The facilities are a little old, but they’re well maintained, and the staff are very friendly. I really liked the onsen, and dinner onsite was delicious. It’s only a three-minute walk to the Iwatake gondola. There aren’t many restaurants nearby, though.

The staff were fantastic, so friendly and accommodating. Rooms and facilities were clean and tidy, and the location’s excellent, just a three-minute walk to Iwatake ski fields 👌🏼