Picking where to ski in Japan can be a little challenging – there are so many places to choose from. Though there are dozens of high quality resorts, one of your best choices is Nozawa Onsen, a ski village that caters beautifully for skiers and snowboarders.
The 1998 Winter Olympics were held in the area, so Nozawa Onsen is equipped with top notch facilities. These lifts operate from 8:30 in the morning to 4:30 in the afternoon on weekdays, and night skiing is sometimes available. You will be spoiled for choice when it comes to selecting where to ski. There are 36 different runs down the mountain, with a 10km run taking you from the top, right down to the bottom.
There is plenty of snow on the mountain slopes during the ski season, with an average depth of 3.5m. The snow falls quite consistently, so there’s often fresh powder to enjoy. Plus, the scenery is spectacular.
After a hard day’s skiing, you can relax at one of four lodges, depending on the arrangements you have made – the thrifty but comfortable Lodge Nagano, group housing at Nozawa House, single and family rooms at Villa Nozawa, and top notch group lodging at Nozawa Cottage. All areas include wireless Internet and other modern conveniences.
The village near Nozawa Onsen is a major attraction of the area, too. Bursting with Japanese character and fascinating architectural details, this village is within an easy walk of all four lodges of the resort. Restaurants, bars, and a supermarket offer convenient refreshment of various kinds to travelers.
The hot springs and baths of the village are another attraction. You can soak in the public springs for free, and access the private baths for a reasonable fee. This luxurious accompaniment to the resort is yet another reason Nozawa Onsen is one of your first choices when it comes to deciding where to ski in Japan.
Where else would you ski in Japan!?