Nozawa Holidays

Base up top: 430 cm    Temp Top; 2 Degrees Base at bottom; 250 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Showers   With light rain showers meandering over Nozawa Onsen today marks a good down day to rest and recuperate. Overnight rainfall in combination with warm temperatures has turned the snow into moist slush that is sticky in all but the most well trafficked areas. Head up to Yamabiko for slightly better snow quality. Luckily the freezing level is forecast to decline later in the day and the rain will turn to snow above 1000 meters. The freezing level will remain at this elevation with isolated showers until Thursday when another spike in temperatures is predicted. Following this […]

Base up top: 460 cm    Temp Top; 1 Degrees Base at bottom; 280 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Clear   So far its a clear one in Nozawa Onsen with visibility as good as it gets. We have some high cirrus cloud beginning to move over the resort and while it looks spectacular, this tends to indicate approaching fronts. In combination we have some moderate breezes on the upper slopes, true mountain weather. Today the groomed runs will be the pick and these will be fast in the morning, becoming slower during the afternoon, particularly so if the forecasted precipitation eventuates. Yesterday we saw some of the best long range visibility all day. This is unusual […]

Base up top: 470 cm    Temp Top; -7 Degrees Base at bottom; 295 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Clear   What a morning it is here in Nozawa Onsen. Light winds, a clear upper atmosphere and cold temperatures. We have some low cloud in the valleys that makes for a nice cloud sea backdrop from the summit but these are expected to dissipate. -7C at the summit, the temperatures are colder than expected and this will ensure excellent snow quality, at least before it warms later in the day. No fresh snow to report overnight. Yesterday the ample fresh snow saw very fun skiing and the groomed runs were superb in the morning before becoming choppy […]

Base up top: 470 cm    Temp Top; -5 Degrees Base at bottom; 260 cm New Snow since close: 30-35 cm Weather; Snow   Looks like it has dumped hard overnight. Around the time of last lifts yesterday we saw flakes begin to fall. They were some of the biggest and thickest flakes of the season for about half an hour, accumulation was quick. Since last lifts yesterday 30-35cm has fallen up top and subsequently today the mountain will be completely refreshed from top to bottom. The riding will be excellent in the designated off piste areas and groomed runs will have a nice soft covering. Yesterday was surprisingly good. With 10cm of fresh that was better in quality than […]

Base up top: 430 cm    Temp Top; -4 Degrees Base at bottom; 265 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Overcast   Its another cloudy morning in Nozawa Onsen, except today is different. We have white trees on the hill and this only means one thing, fresh snow has fallen. Although only a dusting in the village, there will have been much more fall up high. Visibility below 1600m is good, wind is light. It will be a good day on the hill. Yesterday the freezing level was very touch and go with frequent transition between snow and rain down here in the village. Combined with high humidity the snow was quite wet and only at the top […]

Base up top: 445 cm    Temp Top; -2 Degrees Base at bottom; 275 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Overcast   Its another relatively mild overcast morning in Nozawa Onsen today. With a freezing level sitting at around 800m and some precipitation expected the snow will be slushy from the get go. However on higher elevation slopes such as around Yamabiko snow quality will be markedly better and there is a definite possibility for snowfalls later in the day. Today is the day to break out the carving skis and smash some pistes. Yesterday was very similar to what we should expect today. Overcast, warm and high humidity meant the snow became slushy during the afternoon even […]

Base up top: 450 cm    Temp Top; -3 Degrees Base at bottom; 280 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Overcast Its an overcast morning in Nozawa Onsen today and temperatures are warmer than yesterday. Today will be an excellent day to cruise or blast at high speed the groomed pistes which will offer fast conditions. However with the warmer weather off piste will be crusty except up top in Yamabiko. Speaking of which the natural halfpipes are in good shape. Yesterday was such a good day with crystal clear blue skies lasting all day. The snow was perfect wind compacted powder that allowed for very high speed skiing and perfect landings. Low crowds meant the pistes remained […]

Base up top: 470 cm    Temp Top; -7 Degrees Base at bottom; 305 cm New Snow since close: 10 cm Weather; Clear   Its a clear one in Nozawa Onsen with light winds and only a few clouds dotting the sky. With wind resetting tracked out areas there will be plenty of fresh tracks on offer about the mountain. Many people had issues with slow snow and/or incorrect wax type yesterday. Hopefully with overnight grooming and cooling of the snow this issue will not be so prevalent today. We should see these fine conditions last most of today will a gradual increase in the freezing level over the next 48 hours. Following this a front delivering snow is expected […]

Base up top: 465 cm    Temp Top; -7 Degrees Base at bottom; 280 cm New Snow since close: 15 cm Weather; Blizzard   Its a very wild morning out on the slopes of Nozawa Onsen this morning with sideways blowing snow and blustery wind. Since last lifts yesterday we have had at least 15cm of fresh powder fall on the upper slopes with much more accumulating on the protected lower slopes. There will be good riding in most areas with the lower pistes being the pick initially. Later in the day when visibility improves the upper runs will be the pick. Very dangerous avalanche conditions remain. Yesterday delivered very surprising conditions. Near blizzard conditions were forecast to remain all […]

Base up top: 440 cm    Temp Top; -10 Degrees Base at bottom; 265 cm New Snow since close: 20 cm Weather; Windy Its blowing a gale in Nozawa Onsen this morning. We just had a patch patch of blue sky pass over about thirty minutes ago however snow has started to fall again. Its a proper blizzard out there, especially on the top half of the mountain. Here the temperature is -10C, or around -25C with windchill. Yeah, don’t forget the extra layer, or six… Its possible that the Nagasaka gondola will not be running, but hopefully the Hikage gondola will be spinning to get people to the top. Those who venture out will be rewarded with deep wind […]