Latest News from Nozawa Onsen

Base up top: 300 cm                  Temperature; -8 Degrees Base at bottom; 210 cm New Snow: 30 cm There were no friends around the breakfast table this morning. With the fresh delivery of a magic foot of light fluffy snow overnight everyone was scrambling over the scrambled eggs to get out the door and up the mountain. The dump we had been expecting tonight came early to everyone’s delight and it snowed heavily most of the night with 30cm been recorded when we woke up this morning. Still snowing lightly now with the sun trying to break thru the clouds but meeting a fair bit of resistance. Will be an amazing day on the mountain today and all the gang […]

Base up top: 270 cm                  Temperature; -5 Degrees Base at bottom; 185 cm New Snow: 8 cm Snowing lightly in the village all morning not much collecting down here but a few centimeters has gathered up top. The forecast is for it to get lighter throughout the day and then sunshine for tomorrow before the winter onslaught tomorrow night. Yesterday was warm, probably about 5 degrees for most of the day down in the village. Felt like a spring day for the first time in a while. The snow was also a bit slushy and spring like on the lower slopes, still some nice snow to be had up top though. The warmer temps did have a positive impact […]

Base up top: 270 cm                  Temperature; 0 Degrees Base at bottom; 195 cm New Snow: 10 cm Heard the snow sliding off my roof at about midnight last night but it sounded pretty heavy. Even copped a bit of the four-letter word that we don’t like to hear, rain last night down in the village. It quickly changed to sleet and up top we got about 10cm of fresh snow. Today is a bit of a mixed bag of weather too with some snow, sun and everything in between! The sun is trying to make an appearance at the moment but is still a little shy. On the mountain this morning conditions were pretty good and some fresh pockets […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]