SAM Magazine—Nagano, Japan, May 28, 2015 —Hakuba Valley in the Japanese Alps has joined the Mountain Collective for the 2015-16 season. The Collective now provides access to 18 mountains in five countries that combined have more than 41,000 skiable acres of terrain and 244 lifts.

Hakuba Valley is comprised of 10 distinct areas that encompass a huge variety of terrain, from beginner areas to glades, guided off-piste tours, terrain parks, and expert terrain. “Known for its prodigious snowfall and host of the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, Hakuba brings an amazing reputation and aligns well with the other leading destinations in the Mountain Collective,” said Christian Knapp, vice president of marketing for Aspen Skiing Company.

Tomohide Ohta, chairman of the Hakuba Valley Management Committee, said international visits to the resort were up by more than 30 percent this season compared to the previous season.

“Admission in this alliance as the top Japanese ski resort has reconfirmed our potential,” Ohta said. “We hope to see more global guests taking the opportunity to enjoy Japanese snow, food and culture with the advantage of the Mountain Collective benefits.”

Other destinations on the pass include Alta and Snowbird, Utah, Aspen Snowmass, Colo., Jackson Hole, Wyo., Mammoth Mountain and Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows, Calif., Sun Valley, Idaho, Whistler Blackcomb and Ski Banff-Lake Louise-Sunshine, Canada, Thredbo, Australia, and Valle Nevado, Chile.

The Mountain Collective pass is currently on sale starting at $379 (and just $99 for kids 12 and under). Pass holders are also offered additional deals on lodging and a complimentary, one-year membership to Protect Our Winters (protectourwinters.org).