Latest News from Nozawa Onsen

Base up top: 280cm        Temp Top; -5 Degrees Base at bottom: 160cm New Snow since close: 20cm Weather; Clear It looks like we have a day of sun and picture perfect here in Nozawa Onsen. For those who are keen photographers; don’t forget your circular polarizing filters for the blue sky! Ice frosted trees at Yamabiko always look great with blue sky backgrounds. We have some low lying fog in the valleys this morning so it should be quite a view up top with the cloud sea. Crowds have dispersed and with the abundant fresh snow, there is no doubt it will be a perfect day for skiing and boarding on the mountain. Yesterday was nothing short […]

Base up top: 260cm        Temp Top; -10 Degrees Base at bottom: 130cm New Snow since close: 20cm Weather; Heavy snow Last night a lightning active thunderstorm moved over the resort producing strong winds in some areas of the mountain. That probably marked the beginning of the frontal system that has delivered much colder temperatures and heavy snow across the resort this morning. With the wind about at the moment, it will be very cold up there, so make sure to put on an extra layer if heading up. Yesterday saw snow continue in Nozawa Onsen, however it was somewhat wet with warm temperatures across the mountain. It didn’t rain, but temperatures stood at around +2C in the […]

Base up top: 230cm        Temp Top; -5 Degrees Base at bottom: 120cm New Snow since close: 5cm Weather; Snow It’s snowing down in the village at Nozawa Onsen this morning. Light falls commenced in the early hours and have gradually increased in intensity producing a heavy dusting since then. As expected, the temperatures are marginal this morning; the village is currently at 0C. With -5C up top, the snow should improve in quality around the higher reaches of the resort. The temperatures should continue to drop throughout the day as snowfalls persist. Yesterday was a very busy day on the mountain- the gondola lines were impressive during the morning rush. Today looks like crowds will be slightly […]

Base up top: 230cm        Temp Top; -7 Degrees Base at bottom: 125cm New Snow since close: 0cm Weather; Clear We awoke to another clear day here in Nozawa Onsen. It looks like it will be another nice days across the resort both on and off piste. Groomed runs with be fast early, but will soften during the day as the temperatures creep into the positives in the sun. It would be wise to apply some sunscreen before heading up today. There is no shortage of cars making their way into the car park this morning so it should be relatively crowded on the hill today. Yesterday, it was also somewhat crowded and with the long weekend, tomorrow […]

Base up top: 240cm        Temp Top; -9 Degrees Base at bottom: 130cm New Snow since close: 0cm Weather; Clear After a couple of days of snowfalls, the weather has returned to intense sunshine here in Nozawa Onsen. Looks like a great day for skiing with the perfect visibility. Many of the well known areas became tracked out when the snowfalls stopped around lunchtime yesterday, however with a bit of exploration you would be sure to still find some untracked Japan powder. Conditions on the groomers will be fast early, but will soften in the afternoon with the warm temperatures forecast. The weekend crowds began to roll into the resort early this morning. It will be significantly busier […]

Base up top: 250cm        Temp Top; -9 Degrees Base at bottom: 150cm New Snow since close: 35cm Weather; Snow showers Unexpectedly moderate snowfalls persisted overnight delivering an excellent surprise this morning. From last lifts till midnight last night we saw about 15-20cm gather on top of railings and by morning 30cm had accumulated in the village, with even more up high. It looks like there should be some outstanding and deep riding on offer today. A clearing trend is expected during the day, but this is hard to imagine as the snowfalls show no signs of letting up. Like the past week crowds are looking like they will be minimal. Yesterday there were many happy faces on […]

  Base up top:  230cm        Temp Top; -12 Degrees Base at bottom:  120cm New Snow since close: 15cm Weather; Snow   Looking out the window in Nozawa this morning it seems the much anticipated fresh snow has arrived. Since last lifts yesterday we have had 15cm up top and 5cm in the village. There should be fun riding throughout the resort today, but likely there will be a bit of a dust-on-crust phenomenon occurring. The snowfalls will continue till sometime tonight so the riding should improve through the day. Yesterday was extraordinarily quiet on the mountain, but today looks like it will be busier with noticeably more cars making the way up to the car parks. Temperatures […]

Base up top:  230cm        Temp Top; -8 Degrees Base at bottom:  120cm New Snow since close: 0cm Weather; Cloudy, possible snow A misty and overcast day here in Nozawa Onsen, however the forecast snow has yet to eventuate. It seems this upcoming system has been delayed. This is often the case when forecasting the weather for skiing in Japan. The models are excellent in predicting whether there will be snow or not, but the timing can sometimes be off. Nevertheless there will be some fun riding on the groomed runs today, especially with the minimal crowds. Yesterday saw an exceptionally uncrowded day on the mountain with no lift lines whatsoever. The tree runs became mostly completely tracked […]

Base up top:  240cm        Temp Top;   -8 Degrees Base at bottom:  140cm New Snow since close: 0cm Weather; Sunny, increasing clouds We woke to another clear blue day here in Nozawa Onsen. Again, the sunrise mountain alpenglow provided an impressive spectacle and cloud-free night ensured we have no new snow to speak of. The groomed runs should be firm and fast today with cold overnight temperatures and it’s still possible to find fresh tracks off-piste with a bit of a search. Yesterday was an extremely quiet day on the mountain and in the less frequented areas it was possible to have entire runs pretty much to yourself. Today looks like it will be another exceptionally quiet day […]

Base up top:  250cm        Temp Top;  -2 Degrees Base at bottom;  140cm New Snow since close: 5cm Weather; Clear, sunny, light winds After brief snow flurries yesterday afternoon we woke to a clear full blue day here in Nozawa Onsen and a brilliant alpenglow shining on the mountains across the valley. Currently there is no wind to speak of and not a cloud in the sky, perfect! It looks like the variable weather forecast for today will not eventuate. Likely blue skies and sun will remain for the day, perhaps with a couple of clouds moving in from the west later in the afternoon. Today should be warmer than the past couple of days with a freeze […]