HAKUBA VALLEY Safety Tips Safety Precautions〜 To enjoy ski resorts and backcountry in HAKUBA VALLEY safely 〜This is important information for you to enjoy world-class ski resorts and backcountry inHAKUBA VALLEY. Although we are dedicated to providing high levels of service, being safety
conscious is your own responsibility. Please acknowledge the following safety tips and enjoy
your winter vacation safely.
1.

Ski resorts
1-1

Pay attention to “boundary” and “closed area” signs.

The poles painted with yellow and black on the upper side are “boundary” signs whileothers painted with yellow are “closed area” signs of ski resort in HAKUBA VALLEY.
Observance of signs, ropes, and boundaries are prescribed by “Safety Standards for SnowSports” which is a rule common throughout all ski resorts in Japan. It is skiers andsnowboardersʼ obligation to check the map, grasp the boundaries and closed areas, and ski
or snowboard only on permitted trails. If you are not sure about boundaries, please ask theski patrol or ski resort staff.
1-2

Control your speed while skiing or snowboarding.

Collisions usually happen because skiers or snowboarders are sliding too fast. The mostimportant thing regarding safety is to control your speed and acknowledge the situation
around you and to avoid risks. In addition, meeting points of trails, lift top and base areas
are designated as "slow zones". Be sure to slow down sufficiently in these areas. To help
prevent an accident, make sure to ski or snowboard at a speed that allows you to avoid orstop when necessary. Regarding the importance of speed control, please check and follow
the “10 FIS Rules” and “Safety Standards for Snow Sports” for your own safety as well asothers.
1-3

Pay attention to your surroundings and check the situation.

Many collisions occur when you do not fully check your surroundings. Be aware of yoursurroundings when you are starting downhill and if you need to stop on the slope, move

aside and do not stop where you obstruct a trail, or are not visible from above. Also, if you
notice children or families skiing, please slow down and allow them to go first.
1-4

Leashes are mandatory for snowboards.

Leashes prevent the board from accidentally sliding downhill and crashing into people orobjects. The owner of the snowboard will be charged compensation damages for any
incidents involving the runaway snowboards. Sitting on the snowboard and riding it like asled or toboggan is also prohibited.
1-5

Wearing a helmet is highly recommended.

Wearing a helmet has been proven to reduce serious head injuries. The latest models havebecome more comfortable, lightweight, breathable, and customizable. It is highly
recommended to wear a helmet especially for children as well as skiers and snowboarders
enjoying the terrain park.
1-6

Ski with friends in deep powder.

Death caused by suffocation happens in areas of deep snow every year. As for tree runs withdeep powder, there are also accidents caused by multiple reasons including tree collisions.
Please bear in mind that it is safer to ski or snowboard with someone when you go forpowder or tree runs. A rescue whistle can be useful in an emergency.
1-7

Ski resorts are off limit outside operating hours.

The slopes and courses are dangerous due to snow grooming and snow removal work after
operating hours. Camping outside of the designated area is also prohibited.
1-8

Violating rules at the ski resort will result in suspension of your lift ticket and you

will be asked to leave the resort.

Guests in the ski resort are obliged to present lift tickets if requested by ski patrol or lift
staff. Any skiers or snowboarders who violate rules will immediately have their lift ticket
suspended and be asked to leave the resort.
1-9

Contact ski resort staff in an emergency.

Please contact ski resort staff or ski patrol as soon as possible when an emergency occurs.
There is an emergency telephone number in every ski resort. You can find the telephone
number at the ticket office or on the website of each ski resort.
1-10

Check the Rules and Regulations of ski resorts for further information.

Guests at ski resorts are subject to the terms and conditions set by each ski resort. In

addition to safety matters, the terms and conditions also includes matters regarding yourcontractual relationship with ski resorts. Please read it through carefully. You can find thisinformation at the ticket office or on the website of each ski resort.
2.

Backcountry2-1

Use the designated gates when leaving a controlled ski area.

There are gates set up at ABLE Hakuba Goryu, Happo-one, Tsugaike, Hakuba Norikura,and Cortina. It is an obligation for those who decides to go backcountry skiing or
snowboarding to pass through the designated gates. Guests are not permitted to go off thetrail as there are no gates at Jiigatake, Kashimayari, Sanosaka, Hakuba47, and Iwatake.
Backcountry skiing and snowboarding is prohibited at these resorts.
2-2

Outside of the controlled area can be dangerous and even deadly.

There are different kinds of dangers outside of the controlled ski area, such as hidden rocks,obstacles, cracks in snow surfaces and gullies. Even only 1metre outside of the boundary is
not controlled by ski patrol and designated as “uncontrolled areas”. Since backcountry areas
are classified as a national park, ski resorts in HAKUBA VALLEY accept no responsibility.
2-3

There are some closed areas adjacent to ski resorts.

The resorts have some slopes closed. These areas are based on an agreement with local
administrative and associated organizations that regulate the operation and management oflift companies.
2-4Preparation and equipment are essential.

Regardless of whether you are skiing backcountry with a guide or not, you will need not only
avalanche safety kits (an avalanche beacon, a probe, and a shovel), but any essential items
when venturing outside the ski area boundary. Pre-season training is also important. You
are always welcome to the “Nagano Prefecture Comprehensive Mountaineering Center”
where they conduct seminars or courses in trekking and outdoor activities for the public. Be
sure to submit a Mountain-Climbing Registration Form at a designated ticket window inadvance. Online submissions are also accepted. The Mountain-Climbing Registration Formmust be submitted before purchasing tickets, therefore please print it out or keep a hard
copy or download it to your device.
2-5

Check the Mountain information and Avalanche Information.

The “Shinshu Mountain Information” is operated by Nagano Prefecture Association for
the Prevention of Mountain Accidents, the “Mountain Information” is operated by Nagano
Police, and the “Avalanche Information” is operated by Japan Avalanche Network, where theofficial information of mountains and avalanche is updated daily. Knowing all types ofavalanche risks and where the risks lie will help you to make a safe backcountry tour plan.
Once the Avalanche Danger Scale rises to “Level 3”, inexperienced skiers or snowboarders
are recommended to stay in the resort.
2-6

Go backcountry with experienced skiers or snowboarders in a group.

Never go backcountry alone. Go with experienced skiers or snowboarders in a group. It
becomes more difficult to take the leadership and manage risks in a big group, therefore
keep your team small and plan your tour route carefully.
2-7

Inexperienced skiers or snowboarders are recommended to be accompanied by aguide.

There is a century-old “Guide Organization” in HAKUBA VALLEY. For those who want toenjoy skiing or snowboarding safely, it is recommended to contact a professional guide who
can manage risks in the backcountry. Although you can find different types of backcountry
tour guide companies in HAKUBA VALLEY, please make sure that the guide is certified bya national guide organization joining the International Federation of Mountain Guides
Association (IFMGA). In Japan, the “Japan Mountain Guides Association” is a member of
IFMGA.
2-8

Search and rescue teams may take time and be financially compensating.

Helicopters which are owned by a public institution may not be dispatched due to weather
conditions or be pre-occupied by other rescue operations at the time. In this case, a land
rescue will be decided to begin the mission, which takes more time than air rescue. A rescue
operation depends on the location and the conditions. If an unofficial rescue team operates
the search and rescues, depending on the location of distress and rescue situation, themissing person will be responsible for all expenses. It is advisable for skiers andsnowboarders to have the current travel insurance policies against accidents.
2-9

Call the police (110) and the fire department (119) as soon as possible.

If you cannot help yourself or there is nobody else that can assist, call the police and the fire
department as soon as possible. Use the GPS on your smartphone or other devices to advise
the police of your current location.

Snow Resort

Emergency Number

Jiigatake Snow Resort

0261-22-0551Kashimayari Snow Resort

0261-23-1707

Hakuba Sanosaka Snow Resort

0261-75-2452

ABLE Hakuba Goryu Snow Resort

0261-75-2101

ABLE Hakuba Goryu Snow Resort IIMORI

0261-75-2636

Hakuba47 Winter Sports Park

0261-75-3533

Hakuba Happo-one Snow Resort

0261-72-3704

Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field

0261-72-2080

Tsugaike Kogen Snow Resort

0261-83-2427

Hakuba Norikura Onsen Snow Resort

0261-82-3923

Hakuba Cortina Snow Resort

0261-82-2650