February Snow Conditions Nozawa
Stealth dump for Nozawa, one of the biggest of the season.
Nozawa Magic has certainly happened over the last 24 hours. What we had thought would be about a 20 to 30cm dump has turned into over 1 metre of fresh Siberian powder! Figures just dropping now and we have had a massive 65cm overnight bringing the base to 315cm up at Yamabiko!
We’ve smashed through the 3 metre mark and hit peak base so far this season. This snow storm is one of the biggest we’ve seen all season and the Snow gods are not finished with us yet!
It is dumping down right now and the snow tap is expected to flow all day. I can’t contain my glee! It’s time to stop writing this and get up to go skiing, it is going to be deep!
Despite living in Nozawa Onsen for almost three months now and experiencing an almost weekly snowstorm blowing through the village, each storm still makes me feel like an excited kid seeing snow for the first time!
Yesterday afternoon, I huddled in local Vegan cafe Shizen, hands wrapped around a cup full of hot coffee, occasionally leaving the warmth only to snack on freshly-made banana bread. An o bãchan across the road shovelled snow from her doorstep, putting my own efforts to clear snow to shame. Local ladies strolled by with colourful umbrellas protecting them from the blowing snow. Workmen were clearing snow off the roof of a nearby Onsen further up the street. Happy-looking visitors carrying skis and snowboards strolled by, hoods up, layered up, oblivious to the wild snowstorm whipping up white dust around them.
Season ahead
All this fresh snow bares well for the season ahead. March and April should still have some great conditions so if you are thinking about coming up still now is probably a good time to book. Check out more on Spring conditions and some great deals here; https://www.nozawaholidays.com/march-is-magic-in-nozawa-onsen/
If you’re wanting to try out the snow via a different method of transport, check out the free telemarking event over the weekend – more info in our stories.
TODAY:
Temperature at the top; -7 degrees on Yamabiko, -5 degrees on Uenotaira
New snow since yesterday; 65cm
Base at the top; 315cm
Snow conditions; Fresh powder on tap all day. The avalanche risk has increased with so much snow in such a short time on top of hard pack so please be careful when venturing outside the resort. We’ve already had a few fatalities this season and do not want anymore.
Weather; Light snowfall in the morning, getting heavier in the afternoon and evening.
LIFTS IN OPERATION: Same as yesterday.
RUNS OPEN: Same as yesterday.
SNOW FORECAST:
The freezing temperatures remain, preserving our powder for the next few days. On Thursday, it’s forecast for us to wake up to light snow showers and the sun should shine through later in the day leading to a clear night. Bluebird day on Friday so get up early for those fresh tracks. Saturday will also be clear with slightly warmer temps. Sunday will see light snow showers with snow getting heavy in the evening. An EPIC looking few days early next week with 30cm of snow currently forecast for Monday and Tuesday’s snowfall around 50cm. Let’s hope that holds! Have an amazing day out there in the Nozawa Powder and please stay safe.
Check back tomorrow for the latest forecast and tag #nozawaonsenjapan in your powder pics.