Base up top: 440 cm Temp Top; -9 Degrees Base at bottom; 285 cm New Snow since close: 15 cm Weather; Light snow We still have some light snow falling in the village of Nozawa Onsen. Conditions are as good as it gets with deep fresh powder absolutely everywhere. It will be hard to find a bad spot to ski in bounds today. The groomed runs will be soft and forgiving and the trees will be loaded with neck deep japow, all the good stuff! But be careful when venturing out today. Two groups went missing yesterday taking a wrong turn and becoming trapped in the deep powder, they have since been found. Best to avoid out of […]
Get ready for round two
Base up top: 450 cm Temp Top; -10 Degrees Base at bottom; 280 cm New Snow since close: 30-40 cm Weather; Snow Ridiculous. That was what yesterday was like. The depth of the snow was real up there, probably the third deepest day of the season. Wind loaded slopes were around chest to neck, all other slopes around waist. If you weren’t on your game you paid the price with many frustrating entrapments but if you kept the rhythm going the reward was some of the best powder turns on the planet. Snow continued to fall all day yesterday becoming lighter overnight. Since last lifts yesterday an additional 30-40cm has fallen bringing the storm total to 120cm in […]
Pow! Just Like That
Base up top: 430 cm Temp Top; -10 Degrees Base at bottom; 260 cm New Snow since close: 45 cm Weather; Snow Its on!! 45cm of ultra dry blower pow has descended overnight. Conditions will be exceptional and that icy base layer with cookies will be mostly buried out of sight but not out of mind. Avalanche danger will be very high. Get out there and enjoy, but be safe. Yesterday saw a blizzard rage for most of the day. Strong winds meant the gondola was running very slow and blowing snow with cloud severely reduced line of sight and definition in open areas. But the lower trees and pistes were very fun indeed with knee to waist […]
Fresh Snow Comes to Nozawa Onsen
Base up top: 380 cm Temp Top; -7 Degrees Base at bottom; 220 cm New Snow since close: 15-20 cm Weather; Wind and snow The snow is here! It has picked up overnight and we have 15cm of fresh sitting at the summit, 20cm on the more protected upper slopes. A higher amount at lower elevations is a key indicator for wind and a quick glance outside confirms there is some fast moving air about the mountain today. Hopefully the gondolas get up and running without issue although likely at a reduced speed. Looks for some sweet wind features from loaded fresh but be aware of the icy base and death cookies lingering underneath. Stability is low as […]
Czech National powder day mission steeps
Base up top: 380 cm Temp Top; -4 Degrees Base at bottom; 220 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Overcast What a day it was yesterday! The snow was not deep by any margin and many tree areas were riddled with dreaded death cookies but those who got up on the hill were rewarded with stunning morning views as clouds drifted over and away from the resort revealing the beautiful surrounding landscape. The lower angle open slopes held some nice powder that was certainly rideable and the groomers were just about perfect being soft, smooth and fast. With such uncrowded slopes at the moment it was almost as if everyone knew everyone on the hill. A […]
Clear Blue
Base up top: 380 cm Temp Top; -11 Degrees Base at bottom; 225 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Clear As expected it’s a mostly clear morning in Nozawa Onsen with light winds and lengthy visibility. The alpinglow on the surrounding peaks was a spectacular backdrop for snow covered farmland. With a smaller than expected amount of snow yesterday the riding today won’t be exceptional but on the top third of the mountain will have a moderate fresh layer. The groomed runs will also be in good shape and well worth a look when the powder becomes tracked out. Looking at the forecast ahead tomorrow should be partly cloudy with snow showers above around 800m. The […]
Powder is Falling
Base up top: 380 cm Temp Top; -9 Degrees Base at bottom; 220 cm New Snow since close: 10 cm Weather; Snow Finally we have some beautiful thick flakes falling in the village of Nozawa Onsen. A welcome change from the liquid pow we were doused with yesterday. 10cm was recorded at the summit so not a whole lot, but enough to get some good powder turns in. With snow forecast to fall all day its likely that conditions will continue to improve. Looking at the forecast we can see a solid lineup of snowfalls. Snow should ease later this afternoon with a clear day tomorrow. Following that snowfalls should recommence and continue for some time. Moderate falls […]
Base up top: 385 cm Temp Top; +1 Degrees Base at bottom; 220 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Light rain At the moment we have some light rain falling in the village of Nozawa Onsen. Not ideal conditions but the good news is there is snow on the way. The rain should transition to snow early to mid afternoon, earlier at higher elevations. For those heading up today, stick to the well ridden groomed runs for maximum speed. Looks like we are in for a great week ahead according to the forecast with a continued run of snow. Moderate falls are predicted overnight and into tomorrow before a clear day on Thursday. Following that a […]
Warm and Slushy
Base up top: 385 cm Temp Top; -2 Degrees Base at bottom; 240 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Overcast Kicking things off in Nozawa Onsen today with mild overcast conditions. Its still in the negatives at the summit so the skiing will be fair to good across the mountain, good on piste and fair off piste. Expect spring-like snow. There are a few celebrations in various lodges for Australia day. Lodge Nagano and Villa Nozawa have some great ice bars with the lodge crew even building a sweet mini terrain park. Anyone is welcome to come listen to some tunes in the triple j hottest 100 and join in on the fun. Yesterday was very […]
10/10
Base up top: 390 cm Temp Top; -5 Degrees Base at bottom; 245 cm New Snow since close: 3 cm Weather; Overcast One of the best days of the season yesterday? The words were certainly tossed around quite a bit yesterday afternoon by frothing skiers and boarders descending from the hill. Id give it a top five finish personally. The weather, the views, the snow, the only downside was the weekend crowds that luckily spread out after the morning rush. Yes, the exposed slopes became sun affected during the afternoon but the shaded gullies held snow that was perfect for charging. The light air moving glittering ice particles about the upper trees added a remarkable, even magical feel […]