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 […]
Fresh Snow Falling
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 […]
Similar to Yesterday
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 […]
Overcast Day
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 […]
A Happy Monday
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 […]
Windy with Snow
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 […]
Extreme Weather
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 […]
Powder Approaching!
Base up top: 405 cm Temp Top; -8 Degrees Base at bottom; 250 cm New Snow since close: 1 cm Weather; Partly cloudy It is a partly cloudy morning in Nozawa Onsen today with a dusting of 1cm recorded at the top, no significant falls have been reported as of yet. Until some significant falls occur, a possibility later in the day, the best skiing will be had on the groomed runs which will be in great condition thanks to the relatively light crowds yesterday. Yesterday saw beautiful and quite warm sunshine last until late afternoon. It was a great day to make laps of your favourite pistes. Snow quality at Yamabiko remained excellent as usual and the […]
Another Sunny Day
Base up top: 425 cm Temp Top; -6 Degrees Base at bottom; 255 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Clear Continuing on the trend of clear bluebird mornings we have a cloudless sky, light winds and golden rays of early light in Nozawa Onsen. It will be yet another good day of skiing and boarding, with a focus today on the pistes and park. Off piste still holds the occasional patch of dry untracked snow up high but most well known areas are tracked out. Now for the powder hounds its a matter of waiting for the fresh to fall once more. We should expect more snow to start to fall later today when clouds are […]
Japan National Day
Base up top: 430 cm Temp Top; -7 Degrees Base at bottom; 265 cm New Snow since close: 10 cm Weather; Clear Its another visual stunner in Nozawa Onsen this morning. Clear skies, sun, light wind and 10cm of unexpected fresh snow overnight. Make sure you bring the camera unto capture the scenery or better yet, book in a skiing or boarding photo session with Nozawa Holidays for personalised skiing action shots. Its a Japanese national holiday today so expect it to be a bit busier on the slopes than normal. Worth a look this morning will be the Yamabiko tree runs that will be loaded with fresh or those who are after mellow groomed runs might want […]