Base up top: 270 cm Temp Top; +1 Degrees Base at bottom; 140 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Clear Yesterday was amazing. Most people went up on the mountain not expecting too much, but were rewarded with powder with a perfect depth for all areas of the resort. Rain the day before had definitely smoothed out the base and with the knee deep fresh layer out top it was prime for high speed rooster tail sprays, yew! There was no crust layer to speak of indicating a nice gradual transition between rain and snow. Not to mention the views from the top, which were probably the best i’ve personally seen all season. Ice particles floating in […]
Sunny Monday
Base up top: 285 cm Temp Top; -11 Degrees Base at bottom; 150 cm New Snow since close: 10 cm Weather; Clearing snow showers Its a cold and partly cloudy morning here in Nozawa Onsen this morning. We have had some snowfall activity this morning with occasional isolated snow showers passing over the resort. Winds are light at the summit and conditions are expected to clear to full bluebird by the afternoon. Off piste the best areas will be the upper mountain where strong winds last night will have displaced and deposited some nice knee deep stashes amongst the trees. Lower down where snowfall accumulation has been less will have a definite crust layer sitting below the fresh powder. […]
Snow later today
Base up top: 270 cm Temp Top; -2 Degrees Base at bottom; 145 cm New Snow since close: 5 cm Weather; Sleet, snow up high There are marginal conditions across Nozawa Onsen this morning. The freezing level is currently sitting at around 1300m and combined with precipitation, it means that it is raining in the village. However the good news is that snow is falling from mid mountain and above with 5cm of fresh recorded overnight at Yamabiko. The best skiing will be above mid mountain if you can deal with the fog. Otherwise the lower groomers will provide some fun slushy turns. Avoid heading off piste to stay away from sticky moisture affected snow. We expect the freezing […]
Photography Services
Pictures of a recent epic afternoon photo expedition in Nozawa Onsen. For those seeking professional photographs of themselves skiing the deep and steep tree runs of Nozawa Onsen should look no further. We offer professional action photographic/guiding services for skiers of all levels. Drop into Lodge Nagano or Villa Nozawa to make a booking. 8000 yen per hour or 13 000 for two hours per group.
Snowy Expectations Tonight
Base up top: 275 cm Temp Top; -4 Degrees Base at bottom; 150 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Overcast At the moment in Nozawa Onsen we have some high clouds drifting over the resort preceding the cold front we expect to move across the region later tonight. Temperatures are warm, but not as warm as expected. The whole mountain was below freezing overnight so conditions will be firm and fast, before softening later in the afternoon. Best runs today will be the groomers and the park will also be worth a look. The remaining areas of in bounds powder became tracked out yesterday. However there are still a few stashes on the north facing slopes in […]
Base up top: 300 cm Temp Top; -9 Degrees Base at bottom; 180 cm New Snow since close: 10-20 cm Weather; Light snow At the moment in the village we have some light snow falling, which has continued on and off for the past 12 hours. Temperatures are cold so the snow quality will be very good. Since last lifts yesterday we have had around 10cm of accumulation at the the summit and 20cm across the mid mountain. This indicates windblown conditions, but at the moment the wind is light. Yesterday was an epic day on the hill. Very few people meant it was possible to have entire runs to yourself. Amongst the trees there were vast fields […]
Delayed Snowfalls
Base up top: 280 cm Temp Top; -9 Degrees Base at bottom; 165 cm New Snow since close: 10-20 cm Weather; Snow Current weather conditions, dumping! After disappointing snowfalls, or lack thereof yesterday we finally have the sustained moderate falls that the forecast models were predicting. Since close of lifts yesterday 10cm has accumulated at Yamabiko and 20cm has collected across the mid mountain. This indicates windy conditions up top so the best riding will be had on the lower three quarters of the mountain. Head to the trees or lower groomers for improved depth perception in the near whiteout conditions. Yesterday saw mostly overcast conditions and passing heavily isolated snow showers early before the clouds ascended to higher […]
Mixed Bag Today
Base up top: 280 cm Temp Top; -7 Degrees Base at bottom; 160 cm New Snow since close: 10 cm Weather; Snow showers We have some extremely variable weather in Nozawa Onsen. Highly isolated but frequent snow showers are producing dumps which last less than half an hour interspersed with blue skies and sun. For today we expect some moderate falls, heavy at times and cooling temperatures. Winds will be moderate on the higher reaches of the mountain. The best skiing areas today will be all over the mountain for intermediate to advanced skiers and boarders. There will be some nice stashes of powder about the trees with 10cm having fallen at Yamabiko since last lifts yesterday. Beginners and […]
88cm in the past 24 hours
Base up top: 290 cm Temp Top; -10 Degrees Celcius Base at bottom; 170 cm New Snow since close: 3 cm Weather; Clear With only some clouds hovering over the mountains now it is clear that it is going to be a spectacular day! The snow stopped falling early last night after what was an intense 24 hours. During that time a grand total of 88cm was recorded as having fallen at Yamabiko and well over half a meter in the village. Off piste and the steeper blacks will be where its at today. Heading to steeper areas is a necessity to avoid getting stuck it the deep pow. For beginners the groomed runs will be nice and […]
Half Meter Overnight!
Base up top: 280 cm Temp Top; -10 Degrees Celcius Base at bottom; 150 cm New Snow since close: 30-50 cm Weather; Heavy snow There was a lot of expectation coming off the forecast yesterday and those who had high hopes will not be disappointed. At the moment we are experiencing the heaviest snowfall rates we have seen so far this season. It is dumping so hard that the visibility is not limited by clouds, but by the falling snowflakes themselves. Since the close of lifts yesterday we have had half a meter fall up top, 35cm mid mountain and 30cm in the village. Head for the steeper areas if you want to go off piste today. Yamabiko […]