Nozawa Holidays

Base up top: 340 cm Temp Top; -5 Degrees Base at bottom; 215 cm New Snow since close: 1 cm Weather; Overcast   Its a moody Monday morning here in the village of Nozawa Onsen. Mixed clouds are swirling about the valleys and the peaks creating an atmosphere thick with moisture. Light snowfalls fell yesterday afternoon and night but the totals were not significant with 1cm recorded. The mountain became markedly quieter yesterday as most of the Japanese holiday makers returned home. Gone are the morning gondola lines we have been experiencing as of late. Today will be a day to pick out those carving skis and boards and giving the legs a work out of face paced top to […]

Base up top: 345 cm    Temp Top; -4 Degrees Base at bottom; 220 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Overcast   A bit of a grey old morning today in the village of Nozawa Onsen as high clouds pass over the resort. Moderate temperatures are expected and the clouds are expected to deliver the occasional light snowfall isolated across the region. Hit the powder early today to avoid the weekend crowds and the groomers and park will be worth a look as holiday makers break for lunch. Yesterday continues on the trend this year of epic days. Light dry powder snow was abundant across the resort and the powder hounds certainly sniffed out these areas with no […]

Base up top: 370 cm    Temp Top; -9 Degrees Base at bottom; 240 cm New Snow since close: 30 cm Weather; Snow   Well, after yesterdays clear blue skies no one was really expecting another hefty fall of snow to occur. But Nozawa Onsen has its surprises. Late last night snow laden clouds marched over from the sea of Japan delivering the goods. 30cm of fresh stuff has blanketed the resort and the powder hounds are frothing at the mouth once more. It remains to be seen whether today will be another bluebird, but at this stage clouds and light snow continue to pass over Nozawa Onsen. Again, there will be great riding to be had across the board […]

Base up top: 350 cm    Temp Top;  -6 Degrees Base at bottom; 220 cm New Snow since close: 30 cm Weather; Bluebird Unexpected bluebird this morning; today is going to be epic!! Snowfalls have cleared after continuing overnight at a higher rate than expected delivering 25-50cm of fresh at the resort summit and 30cm in the village. The walls of snow about town are steadily increasing in hight, even touching telegraph wires in places. Nearly on par with record levels this seasons snowfalls are simply amazing. Like yesterday, which saw outstandingly dry impossibly deep japow, perhaps the deepest so far this season; we expect a continuation of the above today. Riding is downright dangerous in steeper off piste areas […]

Base up top: 350 cm Temp Top; -11 Degrees Base at Uenotaira 315 cm New Snow since close: 25 cm Weather; Blue Bird Last season we often talked about the “ Magic Foot”. This season looks like we need to take it up a step with the “Magic Meter”! With almost 100cm falling across the resort from this last dump. The powder hounds are in heaven and the villagers are in shoveling overdrive. The base has it a massive 3.5 meters now pretty hard to believe the lifts opened just under a month ago and that everything was still green in the town and our neighbours were still pulling fresh produce from the fields! Looks like we are in for […]

Base up top: 330 cm    Temp Top;  -8 Degrees Base at bottom; 215 cm New Snow since close: 50 cm Weather; Heavy snow   Welcome to 2015 from Nozawa Onsen! Partying into the new year in style with festivities about the village including night skiing under fireworks on the Nagasaka slope and sake flowing strong into the night. There is sure to be a few sore heads this morning! Those who held back will be rewarded by feeling fresh and ready to tackle the 50cm of snow that fell overnight. The first day of 2015 is sure to be a good one in Nozawa Onsen with that deep dry powder Japan is world renowned for blanketed across the mountain, […]

Base up top: 285 cm    Temp Top;  -3 Degrees Base at bottom; 175 cm New Snow since close: 10-20 cm Weather; Fog   Its another foggy morning in Nozawa Onsen today. We had a patch of blue sky before the sea mist once again rolled up the valley and engulfed the resort. There is definitely an air of anticipation about the resort regarding tonights expected dump and new years events. There will be both night skiing with fireworks, highly recommended. There will also be some more traditional events in the temple district of town, with free sake tasting. Hopefully this fog clears off soon, the forecast suggests it will and if so there will be some great riding about […]

Base up top: 290 cm    Temp Top;  -4 Degrees Base at bottom; 180 cm New Snow since close: 10 cm Weather; Fog   Heavy fog has enveloped the village of Nozawa Onsen this morning inducing a definitive maritime atmosphere about the mountain. Squashed between an inversion layer, it should hopefully clear with an increased wind speed later in the day. Best skiing will be had on tree lined groomed runs where points of focus will improve depth perception. At the moment elevations between 1000-1400m are sandwiched in a clear layer so these altitudes offer the best visibility at this time. Yesterday was a similar story with low fog limiting visibility and light snow showers in upper areas. Again, the […]

Base up top: 295 cm    Temp Top;  -2 Degrees Base at bottom; 190 cm New Snow since close: 5 cm Weather; Light snow Looks like we have some light isolated snow showers across the region this morning. With a less than ideal wind direction, amounts will be fickle compared to forecasted totals but expect these isolated falls to continue all day. We have had five centimetres of fresh fall across the upper half of the mountain, sure to produce some quality riding in most areas such as Yamabiko. I think its safe to say we can add yesterday to the steadily increasing list of superb days so far this season. Deep fresh powder was still available in the early […]

Base up top: 300 cm    Temp Top;  -5 Degrees Base at bottom; 215 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Clear We woke to a perfect sunny morning, the first truly spectacular morning of the season so far. Views over to the Myoko volcano were something that had to be seen to be believed with an intense alpenglow radiating off the peak in the early morning light. With the depth and quality of snow we have in Nozawa Onsen at the moment, the riding will sure to be top notch. Make sure you pack the cameras to capture the views from the summit! Yesterday was so so epic. Deep perfect snow. Amazing. Again, the best day of the […]