Latest News from Nozawa Onsen

Base up top: 335cm Temp Top; -6 Degrees Base at bottom: 190cm New Snow since close: 0cm Luckily the forecast rain has avoided us in Nozawa Onsen so far, let’s hope it stays that way. At present we have some light snow falling across the mountain. It’s not too cold either so the snow is relatively wet. Look for the awesome ice trees at the top of the mountain today as conditions are ideal for these to form. Winds will remain light all day and crowd levels are definitely smaller than over the weekend. Yesterday we had beautiful clear conditions accompanied with cold temperatures. With the snowfalls the night before it was pretty much a perfect day in Nozawa. The […]

Base up top: 370cm Temp Top; -16 Degrees Base at bottom: 195cm New Snow since close: 15cm It’s a bright blue sunny day here in Nozawa Onsen. We have had a nice top up of powder with 15cm being recorded across the resort (Uenotaira recorded slightly more at 20cm). It should be another good days riding across the groomed runs and the trees. Yesterday was an awesome day as heavy snow and extremely cold temperatures continued. We had about 60cm fall; enough so it felt bottomless through the trees. It was slightly crowded but the superb snow conditions made up for it. The forecast continues to look good. We still expect a warm spell tomorrow with the possibility of some […]

Base up top: 310cm Temp Top; -6 Degrees Base at bottom: 170cm New Snow since close: 0cm Today is the first day in quite a while where there has been no overnight snowfalls. Therefore the groomed runs will be the pick this morning with firm, fast and clean conditions. Tree runs will remain mostly tracked out until we receive fresh snow, which is expected tonight. Yesterday was good early, but during the afternoon the sun warmed the snow almost to slush in all but North facing or high altitude areas. Nevertheless, that did not stop riders from enjoying themselves. It looks like we have a very interesting week ahead in Nozawa Onsen if you are a skier or boarder. In […]

Base up top: 330cm Temp Top; -13 Degrees Base at bottom: 185cm New Snow since close: 5-10cm We’ve had yet more overnight snow to refresh the slopes. 5cm has fallen up top and 10cm was recorded at Uenotaira. We expect fine, sunny weather today corresponding with light winds. Groomed runs should be firm and fast early, but will soften during the day. The trees will be refreshed from overnight falls. Avalanche conditions have very much improved. Warmer weather yesterday ensured snow from the recent dump to bind to the icy layer beneath, increasing stability. Yesterday was another excellent day here in Nozawa Onsen. Great weather, great skiing and an abundance of deep powder made for many happy riders. The snow […]

Base up top: 330cm Temp Top; -10 Degrees Base at bottom: 195cm New Snow since close: 12cm It should be another good day here in Nozawa Onsen. We have had another fresh top up of snow, 12cm was recorded up high, providing fresh tracks for the day. The snowpack condensed somewhat yesterday and so avalanche conditions have improved. At the moment we have some partly cloudy conditions with possibility of further snow showers rolling through this afternoon. There are strong winds about the peaks so take an extra layer if you’re heading up the hill. Yesterday was a brilliant day. Clear weather and good visibility inspired confidence in the deep powder snow; it was a good day to get out […]

Base up top: 340cm Temp Top; -15 Degrees Base at bottom: 195cm New Snow since close: 15cm Wow, what a day it was yesterday! We had some of the deepest powder of the season as heavy snowfalls continued all day. Even with the holiday crowds (which thinned out in the afternoon) it was still possible to find fresh tracks through the trees all day. Areas which were tracked in the morning quickly filled in with fresh snow and within hours up for grabs again. It’s safe to say that yesterday was one of the best days of the season so far. Yesterday also saw some of the most unstable conditions this year, with slides occurring on even more moderate slopes. […]

Base up top: 310cm Temp Top; -9 Degrees Base at bottom: 155cm New Snow since close: 20cm This morning we are greeted with heavy snow and at least 20cm of fresh powder in Nozawa Onsen. Woohoo! Its going to be a good day. Yesterday was the most crowded day of the season so far, but the holiday vibe on the mountain made up for the crowds. The Gondola and Yamabiko were the busiest sections, especially in the morning. However it was still possible to escape the crowds and venture to the less known areas of the resort. It was a sunny and partly cloudy day yesterday; a good day for exploring new runs. The snow remained in great shape thanks […]

Base up top: 290cm Temp Top; -13 Degrees Base at bottom: 155cm New Snow since close: 0cm The good days keep rolling on here in Nozawa Onsen. Snow from the dump over the last few days is still in excellent quality thanks to persisting cold temperatures, and if you know where to look there are fresh tracks on offer. Should be another good days riding. It’s partly cloudy at the moment, but we expect clouds and snow showers to return by the afternoon. High crowd levels this long weekend are causing some lift lines. Yesterday was an epic day, hardly a frown on the hill. Deep fresh powder was on offer through the trees. The snow was so deep that […]

Base up top: 270cm Temp Top; -11 Degrees Base at bottom: 140cm New Snow since close: 2cm It’s absolutely dumping in Nozawa Onsen this morning! The heavy flakes started at about 7am and since then about 5-10cm has gathered on the lodge railing. Its looks like this weather has really set in and snowfalls are forecast to continue for the rest of the day, along with extremely cold temperatures. A couple of strong wind gusts even down in the village means that some lifts may go on wind hold, especially higher up. Yesterday was another nice day on the mountain. There were many powder stashes on offer around Yamabiko thanks to windblown snow being deposited on the leeward side of […]

Base up top: 270cm Temp Top; -7 Degrees Base at bottom: 150cm New Snow since close: 0cm We have a classic clear winter’s day here in Nozawa Onsen. Cold temperatures across the resort, plentiful Japan powder, high winds aloft and perfectly groomed corduroy. Today will be a very good day for skiing and boarding. There is still plenty of light dry powder on offer after yesterday. Although it hasn’t snowed overnight, strong winds in the higher reaches of the resort have blown fresh snow to cover most tracks, especially in the gullies. There are also a few windblown natural features up high to slash or jump. Yesterday was an excellent day on the mountain. Light snow intensified and by mid […]