Vail Resorts today announced a long-term alliance with one of Japan’s largest and most renowned mountain regions —Hakuba Valley, located in the northern part of the Nagano Prefecture at the base of Japan’s Northern Alps.
Following the 2018 Perisher ski season, the Epic Australia Pass will offer five consecutive complimentary days with no blackout dates at the nine ski resorts that comprise Hakuba Valley, beginning with the 2018-19 winter season in the Northern Hemisphere. The Epic Australia Pass now connects Perisher with Japan, Canada and the best of the U.S. resorts, with 24 mountain resorts in four countries on the pass, which is on sale now.
“We’re excited to announce a long-term alliance between Vail Resorts and Hakuba Valley, Japan, offering Australian adventure-seeking skiers and snowboarders access to a part of the world that is legendary for its endless powder and incredible guest experience,” said Kirsten Lynch, chief marketing officer of Vail Resorts.
“Our Epic Australia Pass holders now get an even greater value with unlimited skiing at Perisher, as well as access to Hakuba Valley, Whistler Blackcomb, Vail and nine more world-class destination resorts in the U.S. all on one pass.”
“We are pleased to partner with so many world-class mountain resorts that offer the highest standards in skiing and snowboarding on the Epic Australia Pass and to have a longer term alliance for the benefit of Australian skiers and snowboarders,” said Hikaru Takanashi, chairman of Hakuba Valley Promotion Board.
“Hakuba Valley is considered the heart and soul of skiing in Japan, with its natural beauty, vast ski terrain and plentiful snow. We welcome skiers and snowboarders from around the world to experience our renowned hospitality.”
As part of the announcement, the option to pay $49 upfront and the balance on May 1 will be available again for one week only. After Thursday, 8 March, the Epic Australia Pass will remain available for purchase when paid in full for AU$839, paying for itself in under five days of skiing or snowboarding.
The Epic Australia Pass is the most flexible and best value ski-pass for Australians, offering year-round skiing across world-class resorts including the biggest and most iconic resorts in Canada, the U.S., Australia and Japan, at an unmatched price. Pass holders must present their 2018 pass at the ticket window of any one of the nine Hakuba Valley Resorts in order to receive their five consecutive complimentary lift tickets.
- Epic Australia Pass™: Epic Australia Pass holders will receive five consecutive complimentary days with no blackout dates at Hakuba Valley, beginning with the 2018-19 winter season. For AU$839, pass holders also get unlimited, unrestricted access to Perisher during the 2018 season, and access to Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado; Park City in Utah; and Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in Lake Tahoe, California; and 10 days at Whistler Blackcomb, Vail, Beaver Creek and/or Stowe, combined, during the 2018-2019 season. All North American resort access is subject to certain holiday restrictions (23/11/18 – 24/11/18; 19/12/18 – 31/12/18; 21/1/18; 16/2/19 – 17/2/19; 9/3/19; 16/3/19; 23/3/19).
- Upgrade the Epic Australia Pass™: Pass holders can elevate their skiing and snowboarding experience by upgrading the Epic Australia Pass to avoid holiday restrictions at the best resorts in the U.S. & Canada and have unlimited, unrestricted access to Whistler Blackcomb, Vail, Beaver Creek and Stowe for the 2018-2019 ski season, in addition to all other Vail Resorts’ destinations. The upgrade does not include additional days at Hakuba Valley beyond five consecutive days.
In addition, Hakuba Valley All-Mountain season pass holders and individual resort’s season pass holders, will receive 50 percent off then current lift ticket window prices at all Vail Resorts owned and operated resorts, including Perisher.
Host to the 1998 Winter Olympics, Hakuba Valley features nine resorts, including Jiigatake Snow Resort, Kashimayari SkiResort, Hakuba Goryu Snow Resort, Hakuba47 Winter Sports Park, Hakuba Happo-one Snow Resort, Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field, Tsugaike Kogen Snow Resort, Hakuba Norikura Onsen Snow Resort, and Hakuba Cortina Snow Resort.
The resorts offer all levels of ski and snowboard terrain with more than 130 trails and some of the longest vertical skiing in Japan, 102 lifts and abundant snowfall averaging 32 feet a season. Off the slopes, Hakuba features a vast array of dining options and lively après scene, including dozens of “izakaya” or traditional Japanese pubs, numerous “onsen” or natural mineral hot springs, and other outdoor activities such as snowmobiling, Nordic skiing and back country skiing.
