Base up top: 350 cm Temp Top; -6 Degrees Base at bottom; 215 cm New Snow since close: 30+ cm Weather; Blizzard Crazy weather here in Nozawa Onsen this morning. Strong winds and heavy blowing snow are creating a blizzard across the mountain and in the village. The good news is that the main Nagasaka gondola is running at half speed so its still possible to access most of the mountain. Its uncertain how much fell over night (we will get a better idea once mid mountain measurements are completed). 30cm accumulation was recorded at Yamabiko, however the actual totals would have been far higher considering much of the fresh snow would have been blown from this more exposed […]
Dump of the year today
Base up top: 290 cm Temp Top; -6 Degrees Base at bottom; 140 cm New Snow since close: 20-25 cm Weather; Heavy snow Heavy flakes are falling in the village of Nozawa Onsen this morning. It was predicted yesterday that today would produce the biggest dump of snow in 24 hours that we have seen in two years. Overnight the forecast has backed off on precipitation rates ever so slightly, but we are still expecting probably the biggest dump so far this season over the next 24 hours. Temperatures are warmer than normal for snowfalls of this magnitude in Japan, with a freezing level of around 400m (normal is freezing level below sea level), and so the snow […]
Light Flurries
Base up top: 275 cm Temp Top; -9 Degrees Base at bottom; 140 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Light snow Some light flurries about the village today in Nozawa Onsen. Since the close of lifts yesterday we have received just a dusting; 3cm up top and a centimetre in the village. Conditions will be very similar to what we had two days ago regarding the snow conditions. Head to the Yamabiko trees for some fresh lines and the groomed runs will be very fast with a firm base. The big 90m ski jump was in use yesterday so take a look there today to witness some high flying action. We have some exciting news, the […]
Exploration Day
Base up top: 285 cm Temp Top; -7 Degrees Base at bottom; 140 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Overcast A mostly cloudy morning in Nozawa Onsen today. With no significant fresh snowfalls in a few days the groomed runs will be the top pick. It will also be a good day for the park and pipe with softer more forgiving conditions and enthusiasm from last nights olympic events. Yesterday was quite similar to today, although it was busier with the long weekend crowds. Most off piste areas became tracked fast however with a bit of searching and local knowledge it was still possible to find top to bottom untracked lines. Groomers were fast, perfect for laying […]
Fundraiser for Judita
Base up top: 285 cm Temp Top; -11 Degrees Base at bottom; 145 cm New Snow since close: 3 cm Weather; Mostly sunny A fine sunny morning in Nozawa Onsen. Today we were greeted with an always spectacular alpenglow on the surrounding mountains at sunrise and the occasional puffy cumulus hovering above the peaks. It is set to be a mostly sunny day today with the possibility of very isolated snow showers later in the afternoon. With the dusting which we received overnight groomed runs will be in tip top condition ready for some olympic enthused high speed carves, yew! The lesser know tree runs will be the place to be for some off piste action, considering today is Japan’s […]
Consistent Overnight Powder
Base up top: 290 cm Temp Top; -9 Degrees Base at bottom; 155 cm New Snow since close: 10-15 cm Weather; Partly cloudy We have a cool partly cloudy morning in Nozawa Onsen this morning. Some low level clouds are passing up and over the mountain ridges and with a mostly clear blue sky above it is a mesmerising sight. Skiing and boarding will be good throughout today with another top up of fresh powder overnight. We received 10cm at Yamabiko and 15cm mid mountain indicating wind blown conditions at the peak. There will be sure to be some knee deep stashes amongst the trees, with the top half being the pick for fresh lines. The freshly groomed pistes […]
Another Winters Day
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 […]