Base up top: 270 cm Temperature; 0 Degrees Base at bottom; 190 cm New Snow: 5 cm Temps a little warmer in Nozawa the last few days and no major snowfalls have developed as yet. Yesterday just as I finished writing the report the snow stopped and didn’t get much overnight. Light snow this morning and should get a bit more tonight. Tomorrow is looking fairly clear then a bit of snow expected Sunday night when the freezing level is set to drop down to below sea level. The snow show should kick in from Tuesday night with some serious snow expected after that. Just in time for the Chinese New Year with quite a few guests from overseas […]
Snowing in Tokyo today at Sea Level
Base up top: 275 cm Temperature; -1 Degrees Base at bottom; 190 cm New Snow: 5 cm The scene has changed today in Nozawa with the snow returning. Has been pretty light through out today with occasional big flakes floating down. On the slopes about 5cm has collected and it is a bit of dust on crust but should soften up as the day goes on and more snow joins the party. Yesterday was nice on the slopes with almost no wind and that looks set to continue for a little while. Just talked to a friend in Tokyo and he said it was even snowing in Tokyo today. Not collecting on the ground but some good fall, something […]
Sake and Sunshine in Nozawa Onsen
Base up top: 280 cm Temperature; -4 Degrees Base at bottom; 200 cm New Snow: 0 cm Another sunny day in the slopes here in Nozawa similar mould to yesterday with very light winds and nice conditions on the slopes. As usual after a few days without any fresh snow the powder hounds are getting a bit of an itch, but there are still some nice spots if you search around. On piste was a bit hard early but has softened up now for a beautiful day. The expected snowfall just keeps creeping forward and looks like may start with a little tonight then the snow man mark is appearing pretty consistently into the near future. Not a major […]
Blue skies over Nozawa Onsen today
Base up top: 280 cm Temperature; 1 Degrees Base at bottom; 200 cm New Snow: 0 cm Finally the Bluebird day we were waiting for in Nozawa Onsen. The forecast had promised us one yesterday but turned out to be a bit of a greybird. Even had a bit of snow, enough to fill in the lines from the groomers! Today will be a picture perfect day on the slopes and pretty quiet again. Was a bunch of kids doing cross-country on the Olympic course this morning for a school meet. There were lots of waves and hellos along the ski road this morning. Temps are a bit warmer than has been, sitting just above 0 degrees. The next […]
Fire Festival Nozawa Onsen Style
Base up top: 315 cm Temperature; -6 Degrees Base at bottom; 230 cm New Snow: 12 cm Once again the famous Fire Festival has passed for another year. The flags and dosojin statues are being taken down and everyone is nursing their wounds and headaches after what was truly a spectacular night. It was a firey and sake soaked evening that went off perfect to the delight of the huge crowd that assembled to witness the time honored tradition. As in the past years it was snowing a bit at the start, which made the location even more stunning. On the slopes we have had up to 20cm in some places since lifts closed yesterday and the day is […]
Stealth dump strikes again in Nozawa
Base up top: 320 cm Temperature; -7 Degrees Base at bottom; 240 cm New Snow: 25 cm Once again last night we were treated to an unexpected sizeable dump from the snow gods. We received a good 25cm of fresh snow on top of yesterdays massive fall. It snowed most of last night not super heavy but enough to gather on your head as you walked thru the village. It was still snowing this morning but looks like the tap has finally been turned off for now with a bit of blue sky poking thru the clouds. Not sure it will last though as there are a few snowy looking clouds hovering over Myoko that may blow in later. […]
Dumped on again with double the Forecast hitting last night with over 60cm falling
Base up top: 325 cm Temperature; -7 Degrees Base at bottom; 240 cm New Snow: 65 cm The snow is getting a bit out of control in Nozawa Onsen. We had about 30cm forecast for last night, we ended up getting at least twice that amount with over 60cm falling since yesterday afternoon. For the locals who continually have to clear it off their roofs and roads it is hard work, for the powder hounds it is heaven. It started yesterday afternoon and fell heavy all night. We cleared about 40cm off the car park at midnight and it was light, kind of like foam at the beach. Then when we woke up there was another 30cm waiting for […]
You should have been here yesterday!
Base up top: 280 cm Temperature; -3 Degrees Base at bottom; 185 cm New Snow: 0 cm Yesterday was the day over 300cm base, 30cm of fresh, sun was out and the slopes were empty! I got the last Gondola up for the day at 3:30pm and when arrived at the top there were only a handful of people hanging around Yamabiko. Just took the one run down Skyline home and had it to myself not another soul to be seen and with the sun set over Myoko it was superb! Today there was a bit of light snow falling in the Village this morning but the sun is out and blue skies are covering the resort now. It […]
From Extreme to extremely good in 12 hours in Nozawa
Base up top: 310 cm Temperature; -10 Degrees Base at bottom; 200 cm New Snow: 35 cm Mother Nature hit us pretty hard yesterday evening with almost 30cm of snow falling in around 3 Hours, was spectacular to watch. The snow piled up pretty quick. Then this morning the sun came out and provided us with a magic day. Conditions on the slopes are as good as it gets and some of the powder runs were beautiful. On piste too was great with a bit of powder on top of the groomed. It has started to snow lightly again now and should continue throughout the day then we are in for another fairly decent fall tomorrow night and light […]
Snow business as usual in Nozawa
Base up top: 265 cm Temperature; -4 Degrees Base at bottom; 180 cm New Snow: 10 cm After two relatively clear days in Nozawa Onsen people were wondering where the snow is! Today it has returned, not real heavy but spurts of decent falls and already about 15cm has collected. Think we should get another 15cm at least out of this system. Has been a nice break to clear the decks before the next dump. Then tomorrow is showing a blue bird day followed by a few days of moderate falls thru to the weekend. This weekend is the famous Fire Festival on the 15th of January and already things are starting to get organized. Good friend of ours […]