Base up top: 280 cm Temp Top; -7 Degrees Base at bottom; 155 cm New Snow since close: 10 cm Weather; Overcast At the moment it is overcast in Nozawa Onsen, with occasional patches of blue sky. Currently there is no snow falling, however we do expect some light flurries throughout the day. Skiing will be good throughout with light dry powder up top and fast, smooth groomers from top to bottom. Conditions remain dangerous with hidden death cookies in the backcountry, especially on south facing walls. Be extra vigilant in the run outs. Yesterday was pretty nice. A standard winters day in Nozawa really. Waist deep powder amongst the trees. Fast groomers, cold, snowing and not that much […]
Powder Central
Base up top: 280 cm Temp Top; -7 Degrees Base at bottom; 145 cm New Snow since close: 5 cm Weather; Snow At the moment we have some moderate snow flurries about the village. Visibility at all elevations is good for the time being even with the cloud and snow so the riding will be good throughout. Groomed runs will be smooth with a nice dusty powder layer whereas the trees will offer some moderately deep powder. The off piste areas remain very dangerous at the moment not necessarily because of instability, but more so because of hidden death cookies. The large balls of ice, which accumulated in the run outs of chutes and gullies during the recent […]
Deep Powder!
Base up top: 290 cm Temp Top; -13 Degrees Base at bottom; 155 cm New Snow since close: 15 cm Weather; Light snow Very cold temperatures and light snow are continuing in Nozawa Onsen at the present time. You could say that the riding today will be epic! Many areas of off piste powder were left untouched yesterday and with the additional 15cm that has fallen last night there are sure to be some very deep stashes about. Time to get out and get amongst it! Wind strength is far less than what we experienced yesterday. Yesterday was so far the coldest day of the season with a top temperature at the summit of -12C at the summit. As […]
A Return to Dumping
Base up top: 290 cm Temp Top; -14 Degrees Base at bottom; 155 cm New Snow since close: 35 cm Weather; Windy with snow We have some heavy weather about the village and mountain today in Nozawa Onsen. It is extremely cold, maybe the coldest during snowfalls of any time this season. The wind is very strong, the gondolas are running at the moment, but it would be surprising if they stay open for any length of time unless the wind decreases. Its currently partly cloudy with isolated snow showers, which are expected to continue on and off today. The wind drifts today will be deep, very deep and the riding will be outstanding amongst the trees. The classic […]
A dusting of snow
Base up top: 235 cm Temp Top; -8 Degrees Base at bottom; 110 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Light snow At last! We have some fresh snow falling. Not much with only a dusting across the mountain but at least its a start and a sign of things to come with snowfall rates expected to increase later today. The mountain will be fast and icy early and the tree runs will be a challenge in the conditions. With the continued snowfalls conditions should improve later in the day. Yesterday was slushy, classic spring conditions, which is very unusual considering the time of year. Nevertheless there was fun to be had on the pistes after they […]
The week ahead looks good
Base up top: 240 cm Temp Top; +2 Degrees Base at bottom; 115 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Mostly sunny We have a fine and mostly sunny morning in Nozawa Onsen. There is some low lying fog in the valley which will make a nice view from the top early. Temperatures are still quite warm with an inversion layer but the snow has held up very well during this recent warm spell with minimal loss of coverage. Early on the lower groomers will be firm and fast before softening later today. Positive temperatures in the top half of the mountain mean the snow will slushy from the outset. Off piste will be lacklustre at best until […]
Warm, but the week ahead looks good
Base up top: 250 cm Temp Top; +2 Degrees Base at bottom; 125 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Partly cloudy Its partly cloudy here in Nozawa Onsen this morning. We have some mid to high level altostratus cloud affected by strong wind sheer. This tends to indicate it will be windy at the peak today, so some lifts may be placed on wind hold. The visibility below the cloud layer is excellent, look for patterns of sun streaking across the surrounding ranges. Unfortunately we have some warm temperatures today, positive across all elevations of the mountain. As a result soft and forgiving spring like conditions will prevail. Head for high traffic groomers which will retain the […]
Sunny and softening
Base up top: 260 cm Temp Top; -7 Degrees Base at bottom; 125 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Partly cloudy A slightly overcast morning here in Nozawa Onsen today. We have some high clouds and it looks like it will be a mostly sunny morning and afternoon. Its forecast to get slightly warm later and so the best skiing areas will be up as high as possible, the Yamabiko area for example. The park at pipe will also be worth a visit in the softening conditions. Yesterday stayed windy and cloudy with occasional snow showers for the duration. Again the best skiing areas were up high as the lower slopes were scoured and rain affected from […]
Mild Conditions, Snow Overnight
Base up top: 265 cm Temp Top; -1 Degrees Base at bottom; 130 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Overcast Its an overcast morning in the village this morning. As expected temperatures are mild but at least there is no sign of the expected rain for the time being. There is a strong inversion layer across the mountain with warmer temperatures at the top then the bottom. The best skiing and boarding today will be had on the groomed runs and the park will be good fun as well. Off piste runs will be heavy going with the predicted warm temperatures. Yesterday was good fun, again better than expected. Bluebird conditions with good visibility. North facing off piste […]
Dusting, Fine and Sunny
Base up top: 275 cm Temp Top; -9 Degrees Base at bottom; 140 cm New Snow since close: 3-5 cm Weather; Partly cloudy It looks like today will clear faster than expected. We currently have some puffy cumulus clouds rolling over the hills spaced with crystal clear blue skies. Temperatures are cold and will combine well with the fresh snow that we received overnight. Total falls since last lifts yesterday include 3cm at Yamabiko, 5cm mid mountain and a dusting in the village. It was windy up top overnight so there will be sure to be stashes much deeper than the indicated amounts. Head for sheltered gullies and trees for maximum powder enjoyment. Yesterday was a day with some […]