Latest News from Nozawa Onsen

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Base up top: 240 cm    Temp Top; -8 Degrees Base at bottom; 130 cm New Snow since close: 5-15 cm Weather; Mostly sunny   We have a nice clear morning here in Nozawa Onsen. Mostly sunny with the occasional low lying clouds in the valleys leading to some great views of the surrounding alps. Crowd levels are not too bad for a weekend either. Since close of lifts we have had 5cm fall at the top and the bottom of the mountain, with 10-15cm falling mid mountain. This indicates windblown conditions so the will be some quality deep stashes in the more sheltered locations. Even with the sun temperatures are cold, well into the negatives across the board and […]

Base up top: 230 cm    Temp Top; -8 Degrees Base at bottom; 125 cm New Snow since close: 10 cm Weather; Overcast   At the moment we have some overcast conditions and light snow falling in Nozawa Onsen. Since the close of lifts yesterday we have had 10cm of fresh fall (3cm fell the night prior). It will be nice skiing across the whole resort with the cool temps and light crowds. Off piste south and west facing slopes have a crust layer just below the fresh snow. Clear skies meant perfect conditions for the fire festival the night before last. After a spectacular fireworks show the tower was attacked with burning branches for several hours before finally being […]

Base up top: 230 cm    Temp Top; -8 Degrees Base at bottom; 125 cm New Snow since close: 10 cm Weather; Overcast   At the moment we have some overcast conditions and light snow falling in Nozawa Onsen. Since the close of lifts yesterday we have had 10cm of fresh fall (3cm fell the night prior). It will be nice skiing across the whole resort with the cool temps and light crowds. Off piste south and west facing slopes have a crust layer just below the fresh snow. Clear skies meant perfect conditions for the fire festival the night before last. After a spectacular fireworks show the tower was attacked with burning branches for several hours before finally being […]

Base up top: 245 cm    Temp Top; -11 Degrees Base at bottom; 130 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Clear, fog in the valleys   Its a picture perfect morning in Nozawa Onsen, but only if you are up high on the mountain.  The village is cloaked in low-lying fog, however up high we have a beautiful clear blue sky and light winds. Truly a spectacular sight with the towering Japanese Alps rising out of the fog bathed in golden early morning light. A great day to be up on the hills, cold temperatures should ensure snow will remain smooth and fast on the groomer and there a more than a few stashes of powder amongst the […]

Base up top: 250 cm    Temp Top; -10 Degrees Base at bottom; 130 cm New Snow since close: 10 cm Weather; Light snow Its pretty much a carbon copy of yesterday in Nozawa Onsen, just with 10cm instead of 30cm of fresh snow. Very cold temperatures across the resort, -10C at the top, means the powder will be in excellent condition. Light snow is still falling and expected to continue on and off today. Yesterday was outstanding with deep but not bottomless powder. This meant that many of the slighter gradients were skiable without getting stuck, great for those just starting out in the powder. It was crowded in the morning but by lunch time the crowds dispersed and […]

Base up top: 250 cm    Temp Top; -10 Degrees Base at bottom; 140 cm New Snow since close: 20-30 cm Weather; Snow As expected it has dumped overnight in Nozawa Onsen, and dumped hard. 30cm of fresh powder has been recorded up near the summit of Mt Kenashi and 20cm down in the village. At the moment snow is still falling at moderate levels and the upper mountain is soaked in fog. Winds are gusting strong up top so be ready for very cold temperatures with a wind chill of around -20C. Today is a day for the secret spots to escape the long weekend crowds, which are building in the lead up to the annual much celebrated fire […]

Base up top: 230 cm    Temp Top; -8 Degrees Base at bottom; 120 cm New Snow since close: 5 cm Weather; Mostly sunny A semi bluebird morning here in Nozawa Onsen. We have some light cumulus clouds hovering around delivering the occasional snow shower. Since the close of lifts 5cm of fresh has fallen on the upper slopes and a dusting recorded down lower. Visibility is very good across all elevations. Best riding today will be had all over the mountain from a snow quality standpoint. But head to the quieter areas of the resort to escape the crowds on this long weekend sunday. Be careful in the backcountry as snowpack stability is still a concern after the recent […]