Nozawa Onsen’s Local Traditions
Yesterday was another day of Fire Festival preparation. The 42 year olds and the 25 year olds of the village each pulled a felled tree down from the resort, through the village and onto the festival grounds.
There was a race across the snow outside of the Hikage Information Centre. And the 42 year olds won! Sake was flowing and by the beginning of the evening, the men involved were dashing into local stores to get water bottles as they continued to drink sake and pull the trees through the village, singing, laughing, and cheering. It was such a sight to see!
Check back later today for some more information about the history of the Fire Festival! The main event is tomorrow evening.
We’ve woken up to a moody day today with sunlight highlighting the scattered clouds. It’s an unusually warm day – already 5 degrees on top at Yamabiko.
TODAY:
Temperature at the top; 5
New snow since yesterday; 0cm
Base at the top; 160cm
Snow conditions; Stick to the groomers. The freezing temperatures after the three sunny days have also made the runs a tad icy so please be careful.
Weather; Looking sunny again today with scattered clouds.
LIFTS IN OPERATION: All lifts apart from the Hikage Quad and Karasawa Double are open… the Challenge Double IS open this weekend!
RUNS OPEN; Same as yesterday
SNOW FORECAST:
Today we should bring more cloud cover increasing throughout the day and temps are dropping with light snow starting to fall by the evening up the top of the mountain. These light snow showers should continue on Sunday and also into Monday. It won’t be heavy snow but the temperatures are dropping again and a Northerly wind is starting to blow in which is always a good sign that good snowfall is on its way!
The long range forecast is looking hopeful for some huge snowfall in time for the Chinese New Year. Let’s cross our fingers and start those snow dances!
Tag #nozawaonsenjapan to share your day out in Nozawa Onsen! Thanks to Patrick Carroll for the excellent photos of the day.