Hakuba to Shinhotaka Ropeway station

How can we reach Shinhotaka Ropeway station from hakuba ? After googling,I have found it should be reached by bus which travels from Matsumoto to Takayama.But, how do we alight at Shinhotaka Ropeway ? Is there any other way apart from that ?
On my way from Hakuba to Kyoto,I' ve planned to spend 2 days for Shirakawa-go and Shinhotaka Ropeway and I thought to stay in Takayama. Plan was like this 1.Leave Hakuba by morning 2.Reach Takayama by afternoon and complete shirakawago trip ;Stay overnight at Takayama 3.Check out hotel on 2nd day morning and complete Shinhotaka Rope car activity, then head back to Kyoto via Takayama on the same day.
But after looking at some beautiful onsen hotel in Okuhida/Shinhotaka Ropeway area,I wish to stay around Okuhida instead of Takayama.So the plan might be changing like 1.Leave Hakuba in the morning and Reach hotel@Okuhida/Shinhotaka Ropeway 2.Finish Ropeway car activity on the same day - Stay overnight hotel@Okuhida/Shinhotaka Ropeway 3.Leave hotel next day morning and head to Shirakawa-go ; Then head to Kyoto on same day.
Which plan wud be better and how can we reach Okuhida/Shinhotaka ropeway area from Hakuba?
Any suggestion on this wud be highly appreciated..!!

1) Take the JR Oito Line from Hakuba to Matsumoto:
http://www.hyperdia.com/

2) Take a bus bound from Takayama from Matsumoto to Hirayu:
http://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/matsumoto.html

3) Take a bus from Hirayu to Shin-Hotaka Ropeway:
http://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/hirayu_shinhotaka.html

In summer, some buses from Matsumoto travel directly to the ropeway.