Phoenix Cocoon

Underfloor heating runs beneath every floor of Phoenix Cocoon, a fact that matters more than most in a valley where snow settles hard through winter. The chalet is set over three levels in Lower Wadano, a forest district of Hakuba prized for its quiet and its proximity to the slopes. It sleeps eight across three bedrooms and three bathrooms, spread through 221 m² of interiors built for groups rather than couples travelling alone. A deck runs off the living space and looks out over the trees; on a clear morning the forest holds the light in a way that makes the room behind it feel smaller than it is. The kitchen is open-plan and fully fitted, with its own dining area and a separate laundry room, so a week here can run without a single trip to a restaurant. WiFi and a television are standard, as is ski storage for the walk to Happo One, less than a kilometre away on foot. Happo Village and its restaurants and bars sit within easy walking distance too, and Hakuba Hospitality Group runs a shuttle to the resorts and to its own restaurants for guests who would rather not drive. Check-in is at 4pm, check-out at 10am. It is a compact stay, built for skiers by day and for slow dinners once the lifts close.