White Hotel Grand Hakuba

The staff were friendly and helpful, and the dinner restaurant was nice. Being right on the slopes was great, and the lift passes were heavily discounted. Ski and snowboard rentals were very good, with new gear and an easygoing approach to swapping equipment from day to day. It suited us well for a night or two. For a longer stay, you might prefer somewhere more central. I'd definitely stay here again.

Dinner was fantastic, especially the seared mackerel and eel rice bowl. Breakfast was great too, alternating between Japanese and Western. The view from the top of the ski lift is amazing. Renting gear was efficient, and the staff were very friendly. You can book the shuttle quite flexibly by asking at the front desk. I'd definitely recommend having a car here. The room was nice, though the electronic lock could be finicky.

We had a really fun, cozy stay. The hotel was clean and quiet, and the staff were friendly and helpful throughout. You can step straight outside onto the ski slope, and they offer rentals and ski coaching. One thing to arrange in advance is the hotel shuttle from Hakuba city. As beginners, we stayed on the hotel's own slopes, which weren't easy for first-timers. There are easier, more beginner-friendly resorts nearby if you want to go elsewhere. Thanks so much to the White Hotel Grand Hakuba staff. Special thanks to Chef Ken, Mai-san, Fletcher, Charlie, Theo, Benji, and everyone else at the pizza party 🍕.

The staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful throughout our stay. The ski-in, ski-out access to the Hakuba Sanosaka Ski Area was a highlight. It has four lifts, mostly easy to intermediate terrain, and a couple of black runs. The views over Lake Aoki and the mountains are fantastic, and lift tickets can be bought at the hotel for just 2,000 yen a day. The location is fairly secluded, near but not directly on Lake Aoki. Getting into town takes a longer drive, and fresh snow or ice can make the roads tricky, though the hotel has shuttles. There are daily breakfasts and dinners. Breakfast switches between Japanese and Western, and dinner is à la carte Japanese with a good range of very good food. Lunch options would be useful given how remote it is. The lobby and dining room are spacious and inviting, with fireplaces, and there's a grand piano guests sometimes play. The property has two levels and is easy to get around. Rooms are on the small side, as is common in Japan, but modern and clean, with bathtubs. There's an onsen with separate men's and women's areas, and indoor and outdoor baths. Mornings are open to all guests, while evening use needs a paid reservation. That arrangement may surprise people used to free, open access at other onsen hotels. The hotel seems to be reconsidering the policy, and I hope it becomes more widely available. A dedicated ski and snowboard room has lockers, and the hotel rents skis, boards, boots, jackets, pants, gloves, helmets, and more. We brought our own gear, so I can't speak to the rental quality. The lobby shop only has a small selection of instant noodles, and it would be nice to see snacks, drinks, and basic toiletries added. There's also a lobby bar, but it wasn't open during our six-day stay. It's a highly recommendable place to stay.