Nozawa Holidays

Base up top: 180 cm    Temp Top; 0 Degrees Base at bottom; 60 cm New Snow since close: 10 cm Weather; Light snow   We currently have light snow falling about the village this morning. Not as much as originally expected however one can argue with fresh snow, with 10cm being recorded up high.  Best skiing will be on the upper reaches of the mountain where coldest conditions are producing the best snow quality. Yesterday had some good top to bottom skiing on the groomed runs where conditions remained smooth and fast all day. Sunny weather gave way to high cloud and moderate wind in the afternoon preceding the current frontal system. According to predictions light to moderate snow […]

Base up top: 170 cm    Temp Top; 0 Degrees Base at bottom; 75 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Mostly sunny After a suburb Christmas day in Nozawa Onsen we have a continuation of sunshine and light winds. With superb powder snow on offer yesterday and very few people out skiing untracked areas remained even on piste well into the afternoon. For those out skiing the quality of the conditions were perhaps the best christmas present one might ask for. At the moment we have an inversion layer across mid elevations with cooler temperatures at the bottom than top. We expect temperatures to warm up a little with a frontal system approaching from Siberia, due at some […]

Base up top: 190 cm    Temp Top; -7 Degrees Base at bottom; 75 cm New Snow since close: 15 cm Weather; Partly cloudy Its a white Christmas in Nozawa Onsen this morning with 10-15cm falling across the mountain since last lifts yesterday. Combined with the totals received over the preceding hours, skiing conditions should be very nice indeed. Currently, the weather is partly cloudy and should clear completely at some point during the afternoon. Winds are light at the summit. Top picks on the mountain today are the Yamabiko trees for off piste action, while the groomed runs such as Skyline for intermediate to advanced riders or Paradise for beginners are also in fine form. Likewise, yesterday was another […]

Base up top: 175 cm    Temp Top; -7 Degrees Base at bottom; 60 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Light snow We woke to a partly cloudy day in Nozawa Onsen this morning. Although shortly after breakfast the mist and clouds rolled in and we now have some light snow falling. Early on the pistes should be firm and fast, softening with the fresh snow falling. The upper trees will be nicely topped up by this afternoon, however more snow is required to fill in most of the lower trees. Winds at the summit are moderate to strong. The resort and its lodges are beginning to fill up and we expect a busy period between Christmas and […]

Base up top: 180 cm    Temp Top; -5 Degrees Base at bottom; 70 cm New Snow since close: 3 cm Weather; Cloudy Its an overcast morning here in Nozawa Onsen and we are still experiencing the occasional light flurry. Light winds and minimal crowds will ensure a fun day up on the slopes. There are still a few hidden fresh lines on offer amongst the trees although good directional control is needed as there is still some brush exposed. Yesterday was an excellent day in Nozawa Onsen. Even with the weekend influx of visitors it was easy to find some deep un-ridden stashes. The groomed runs were also in fine form with many of the mountains pistes making their […]

    Base up top: 170 cm    Temp Top; -7 Degrees Base at bottom; 65 cm New Snow since close: 45 cm Weather; Moderate snow Looks like snow has persisted here in Nozawa Onsen for about the past 24 hours. In total 45cm fell overnight adding to what fell throughout yesterday. Snowfall rates increased during the evening with heavier falls below localised thunderstorm activity. When we woke this morning and up until the current time (10am) moderate snows were continuing to fall. The best skiing on offer today should be found on the higher reaches of the mountain where an excellent base has formed. The Yamabiko trees will be the best to take advantage of all the fresh powder […]

  Base up top: 100 cm        Temp Top; -8 Degrees Base at Uenotaira 80cm Base at bottom; 0 cm New Snow since close: 30 cm Weather; Snowing nicely Has snowed all night here in Nozawa and we have had the “magic foot” of fresh snow overnight Just a quick update on what is open at the moment All the top area is now a go with Uenotaira 4 lift opening today So now all the intermediate and one black run at Yamabiko are open along with the beginner runs down to Uenotaira and in the middle down to the mid station of the Gondola so plenty to keep everyone happy. A few of the guys skied right […]

  December delight in Nozawa Onsen Base up top: 65 cm        Temp Top; -6 Degrees Base at bottom; 0 cm New Snow since close: 20 cm Weather; Snowed all night and snowing lightly   Has been a snowy few days in Nozawa with about 15cm of fresh on the slopes yesterday morning when we went up.   Saw a bit of sunshine in the afternoon and then started snowing again down to village level in the evening   It was coming down pretty heavy all night but pretty wet. Temps have dropped this morning though and the flakes are drifting nice and light from the sky   Looks like more snow on the menu for Nozawa and […]

Base up top: 45 cm Temp Top; -3 Degrees Base at bottom; 0 cm New Snow since close: 10 cm Weather; Beautiful Bluebird Day to start the season Does not seem like that long ago since I was writing the last report. The lifts closed just 6 months ago and today we start the new season! Magic start too just quietly! Nice and early just scraping into November, a respectable forming base, 10cm of fresh overnight, and the sun is shining. Hopefully, a sign of good things to come for the season ahead. A few keen skiers taking to the slopes today but should be pretty quiet for the next few weeks until Christmas time. So if keen come on […]

In a first for Nozawa Onsen and probably the first ski lodge in Japan Villa Nozawa has installed a 12kw Solar System on the roof! With Japan’s power challenges and in line with our general philosophy for helping to cool the globe we just had to do it. Lodge Nagano and Kamoshika Lodge are following. The rest of the village are waiting to see if it is a success and many will make the switch. The biggest test will be the 4 meters plus of snow that can sit on there in a season. Will be lots of roof clearing but we think the environment is worth it.