Getting to Hakuba from Nagano

Option 1 - Bus

Bus is about the only affordable option for getting to Hakuba from Nagano. There are buses every 90 minutes or so, and the trip take approximately 1 hour. All buses leave from the East exit of Nagano Station, bus stop number 6.

At Nagano Station you exit through the main ticket wicket and turn left. Head to the east exit and once you get to the small escalator, go down and turn right. There is another escalator to the right behind you going down to the bus level.
At the bottom you will see the taxi stand. Walk past the taxi stand to bus stop #6 and board a bus to Hakuba. Buses are white and have Highland Express in English on the side.

The biggest problem is that the last bus is at 8PM or so, and if you arrive later than that, then you either have to spend the night in Nagano, or catch a taxi

Links:
Nagano - Hakuba Bus Timetable