Sierra Resort Hakuba - The Japan Alps

Skiing - after a long hiatus from the sport (thank you college sports) we decided it was about time to hit the slopes again.  The Japan Alps were drawing us in.  Greg craved the mountains and I just wanted to see something other than concrete.  British friends of ours, Daniel and Claire - who are avid skiers, came along with us.  Greg skied the first day while Dylan and I played around in the snow.  We reversed roles the second day, and I got to see just how long it had been since I skied last.  It turned out Greg got better snow, but I got the better weather.  The Alps were stunning.  So different than the hills in MIchigan.

We stayed at a reasonably nice resort not far from the lodge that sat back in the woods called the Sierra Resort - Hakuba.  It's billed as a luxury resort, but don't get your hopes up.  The place is in need of renovation.  The pictures on their website are very gracious to say the least. Don't get me wrong, it's not bad, but it aint "Luxury" either, as the Japanese reviews will have you believe.  We had dinner there one evening, and the food was very nice, and better than expected.  Despite the facilities not quite being at a luxury level yet, the setting back in the woods is very serene, and a wonderful escape from Tokyo. There is an American who started working at the hotel this summer who recognizes what this place could be, and is swimming the upstream battle to make it that.   My guess is that we'll see some kaizan, but not the transformational change the place will need to really reach its potential.  Enough of the hotel review.

We had a great time and can't wait to get back up in the mountains again to strap on our skis and let Dylan explore something other than the back streets of Tokyo.

Comments

[Alison]

Hi - I am travelling to Hakuba shortly and thinking of staying in a junior suite at this resort. Yours is the only "review" I could find of this resort (all the rest do bill the resort as the best in Hakuba!). Is it worth a visit or should I find somewhere else to stay? I am also a bit worried it might be too far out of town. Any thoughts?

[Kate]

Hi Alison, I'm not sure how to respond to you other than posting another comment on my blog, hoping you will read it. When we booked a room at this resort we were expecting "luxury" like the website claims. If you are from the states, I would put it in the category of Motel 6 - not very nice. Japan standards it might be considered luxury. A friend of ours got a junior suite and the only difference was that he had an extra bed in his room, otherwise the rooms were the same. We had a car so the town didn't seem too far away. The hotel offers a car service to the skiing resort (and they even offered to drive us to town). I HIGHLY recommend calling this resort and asking to speak with their International Relations guy. He is remarkably helpful. He will be honest with you and answer all of your questions and when you get there he will bend over backwards for you. If you go to Hakuba and enjoy Mexican food, goto Uncle Stevens - so far the best Mexican food in Japan. If you do decide to book at this hotel book with them directly, it will be a ton easier. The setting of the resort is beautiful. It's set back into the mountains surrounded by trees.

[Alison]

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. I very much appreciate it. It has been very helpful.

[Alison]

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. I very much appreciate it. It has been very helpful.

[Louise @ meribel skiing]

Hotel prices near the resort are a lot cheaper than those actually in the resort, so the little extra traveling can save you a lot.

[school_dubl]

Hi Merry Christmas and Happy New Year