Base up top: 370 cm Temp Top; -4 Degrees Base at bottom; 190 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Clear Bluebird skies, check. Cold overnight temperatures, check. Deep fresh pow, check. All the ingredients are there for an epic day of skiing and boarding here in Nozawa Onsen. We hardly could ask for anything better this March, reaching the peak snow depth of 385cm just yesterday. For some of that epic japow head to your favourite North facing tree run or gully off piste. Anything South facing was roasted by the spring sun yesterday and subsequently will have formed a crust layer. We expect temperatures to be warmer today so best to go riding earlier rather […]
March 22nd will go down as one of those days in Nozawa
Today we hit our peak base for the 2014 Season at 385cm. While most people are hitting the beach the lucky few here and in for one of the best days of the season. March is Magic and don’t write it off for skiing in Japan or you may regret it….
March Continues to Deliver
Base up top: 385 cm Temp Top; -8 Degrees Base at bottom; 165 cm New Snow since close: 40 cm Weather; Bluebird, isolated snow showers Conditions are amazing. March is really putting on a show this year with snowfall totals almost matching January and Feburary but with even less crowds. At the moment we have a crystalline bluebird morning, cold temperatures and heaps of fresh pow. Since close of lifts a massive 40cm has fallen. A perfect day for skiing and boarding in Nozawa Onsen. All areas will be outstanding today; the groomed runs will be soft and silky smooth and the off piste area will hold deep dry japow. On the other hand the steeper off piste […]
More March Madness
Base up top: 360 cm Temp Top; -5 Degrees Base at bottom; 145 cm New Snow since close: 25 cm Weather; Heavy snow Its been absolutely puking all day in Nozawa Onsen. Heavy snow this morning intensified throughout the afternoon refreshing the cover and providing some great deep powder lines for those who braved the cold and windy conditions. Through the trees was very nice with fresh tracks all day long. It was snowing so hard in the afternoon the lines ridden only a few hours earlier had completely filled in. Crowds were minimal, one definite benefit for these late season dumps. Yesterday was nothing to write home above with rain falling for most of the day. Moving […]
Liquid powder today, frozen powder tomorrow..
Base up top: 325 cm Temp Top; -1 Degrees Base at bottom; 145 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Light showers This morning we have some liquid powder falling in the village, but with a temperature of -1C at the summit this will be falling as snow across the peaks. Therefore the best riding today will be on the upper areas of the mountain, such as the Yamabiko area. That being said, the lower slopes are fast as the rain has washed away the soft surface layer. Groomed runs will be the pick with the off piste areas needing snowfalls to freshen up the cover. Yesterday offered some nice skiing and boarding on the groomed runs […]
Fast Pistes on Offer
Base up top: 330 cm Temp Top; -4 Degrees Base at bottom; 150 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Partly cloudy The wind has eased overnight and we woke this morning to some colder, partly cloudy conditions. As well as that the rain has eased and there was even evidence of a very light dusting of snow in the village. Therefore, it will be good on the groomers across the mountain but again, off piste would be best avoided. Yesterday was ok in the morning but by late afternoon the rain had increased in intensity making for uncomfortable conditions on the mountain. At least the snow was fast with the moisture washing away the soft surface […]
Average but improving conditions
Base up top: 340 cm Temp Top; +3 Degrees Base at Uenotaira 270cm Base at bottom; 150 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Overcast, windy at the peak Conditions are overcast and mild in Nozawa Onsen today. Strong winds have forced closure of both gondolas however at least the predicted moisture has held off for the time being. Spring skiing will be on offer with the groomed runs being the best bet. Off piste areas are best avoided. Today will be the perfect day for exploring the village. Head down to the cooking onsen during the afternoon to watch locals go about their daily ritual of cooking food in the steaming waters, a fascinating sight. Yesterday saw […]
Sunshine, Pancakes & Snow
Base up top: 350 cm Temp Top; 0 Degrees Base at Uenotaira 280cm Base at bottom; 160 cm New Snow since close: 5 cm Weather; Sunny with light cloud cover It’s not always about the snow in the village of Nozawa Onsen. Before you head out to face the beautiful sunny day, with 5cm of fresh snow, it’s important to have a lovely breakfast in one of our lodges… like Blueberry Pancakes with Grilled Banana and Cinnamon Butter. Yesterday started with great weather before visibility reduced in the late afternoon and we received a nice dusting of 5cm to freshen up things a little. As the temperature continues to raise it looks like tomorrow will bring some rain with the […]
Snowmen & Sunshine
Base up top: 350 cm Temp Top; 0 Degrees Base at Uenotaira 290cm Base at bottom; 165 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Sunny with light cloud cover NEWS FLASH: Gab has done it again! This morning Gab won the annual top to bottom ski race for the second year in a row. Well done! We will probably see some light rain in the town tonight that should fall as snow above the mid station, but before that arrives the day promises to be great spring skiing on excellent snow – also perfect conditions to build a snowman of two. We were blessed with a great day yesterday after the fresh snow that we received and the mountain […]
March Delivers Again
Base up top: 360 cm Temp Top; 0 Degrees Base at Uenotaira 360cm Base at bottom; 175 cm New Snow since close: 18 cm Weather; Bluebird The day ahead is sure to please everyone… except for those not at Nozawa Onsen! With clear skies and 18cm of fresh overnight we are in for another March bluebird powder day. Sliding will be great all over the resort, on and off piste. All this on top of yesterday’s non-stop snow. The day just got better and better with tracks filling in and plenty of lines to share amongst the lucky ones who were on the hill. We will see the weather warm up over the next few days with mostly sunny skies […]