Evo will open its second branded hotel—Evo Hotel Hakuba. It follows the opening of Evo Hotel Salt Lake in 2022 in Salt Lake City, UT.

The company’s platform in Japan includes over a dozen EvoTrip travel experiences across Hakuba, Niseko, and Furano, Rhythm Japan retail and rental stores, and Rhythm Rides instruction and guiding.

Evo Hotel Hakuba will open after renovating the acquired Bergland Hotel, constructed in anticipation of the 1998 Nagano Olympics and renovated in 2012. It has 21 guest rooms with views of Happo-one Resort and the Japanese Alps and an on-site restaurant. The renovations will start in late spring 2024.

“Japan has long been a favorite for Evo customers, and we are thrilled to add the new Evo Hotel Hakuba to our family, giving customers even more opportunities to enjoy incredible experiences in Japan year-round. We have a deep respect and love for the Hakuba community and Japanese culture and we can’t wait to create a gathering place for all to enjoy,” said Bryce Phillips, Evo founder and CEO. “Now, our customers can choose to travel to Evo Hotel Hakuba independently or via our loved EvoTrip group travel offering and pick up the latest gear at the new Rhythm Happo for skiing, snowboarding, or biking in the summer months. We look forward to reimagining this property ahead of the 2024-25 winter season.”

Evo also owns the area’s outdoor adventure store, Rhythm Japan, with three locations in the Hakuba Valley, including the Rhythm Happo location, Rhythm Wadano and Rhythm Summit. In addition to summer bike rental and retail, Rhythm Japan offers a fleet of nearly 7,000 skis and snowboards and custom boot fitting services, accessories, and apparel. 

For Winter 2023/24, Rhythm Japan is “reimagining the ski boot rental fitting experience,” introducing its Volumental foot scanning technology, a 3-D scanning and data tools to optimize boot fitting. ” Rhythm Japan is the first retail and rental shop to offer this service in the country.

Hakuba Hotel Group will continue to operate the Bergland Hotel for the 2023/24 ski and ride season. Evo plans to expand the number of guest rooms and offer additional opportunities to gather and connect, completed for Winter 2025.

In the U.S., Evo operates four stores selling outdoor gear and services in Seattle, Portland, Denver, and Salt Lake City, as well as satellite locations for rentals, service and curated assortments in Whistler, BC; Snoqualmie Pass, WA; and Hood River, OR.

Photo courtesy of Hakuba Hotel Group