Latest News from Nozawa Onsen

Base up top: 150 cm                  Temperature; -8 Degrees Base at bottom; 80 cm New Snow: 20 cm Good news in Nozawa this morning the whole resort is pretty much open for business. Karasawa and the Snow Park included. Kandaha Race course is about the only run not operating yet but they are keen to get that going soon too. After a short break on the snow front yesterday morning the assault started again late yesterday and has been falling most of the night. Snowing pretty heavy outside now and reports are showing 20cm up top. There is about the same now in the Village. Yesterday was a bit icy in the morning and people were already asking for fresh […]

Base up top: 150 cm                  Temperature; 0 Degrees Base at bottom; 90 cm New Snow: 0 cm Another fine start to the day here in Nozawa and glourious conditions on the mountain. As per usual with a but of sun and warmer temps the base has settled a bit and has had a bit of melt off down in the Village. Have the feeling it is the calm before the storm though with the dump expected on Saturday night still building with 100cm not unlikely. Yesterday on the hill there was still lots of fresh tracks to be had and saw a few losing their skis in the powder. Probably wont see those until April now! It was getting […]

Base up top: 175 cm                  Temperature; -4 Degrees Base at bottom; 115 cm New Snow: 15cm Sounding a bit like a broken record but another amazing start to the day here in Nozawa Onsen have had about 15cm up top since the close of lifts yesterday and for the first time in a few days we are being blessed with some sunshine. Will probably be short lived so enjoy the sun and great views while you can as looks like a little bit of snow tonight then we are going to get covered again with heavy falls expected over the weekend, forecasts showing we could be in for over 100cm! So time to clear the decks of snow a […]

20/12 Base up top: 160cm                  Temperature; -6 Degrees Base at bottom; 100cm New Snow: 60cm The Snow conditions in Nozawa are now bordering on the ridiculous for this time of year. Ridiculously good that is! Have had another huge 60cm of fresh snow overnight and still big flakes floating from the sky now. Woke up this morning and looked out the window and the view is slowly getting taken over by the ever growing white wall. Yesterday up top was a terrific day with light fluffy snow and bursts of sunshine coming thru. The skiing was top to bottom, with good coverage on all slopes and some nice powder runs. Most of the resort runs are now open even […]

Base up top: 125cm                  Temperature; -5 Degrees Base at bottom; 80cm New Snow: 10cm Has been snowing lightly in Nozawa Onsen since this time yesterday. Although the snow has been consistent it has not affected the base a great deal with about 10cm been collected over that time. Conditions are excellent though and it is now possible to ski top to bottom with Skyline opening yesterday morning. Even the home trail that runs along the bottom of the resort is in good shape with a nice covering of snow and with a light layer on top it is all smooth sailing. I took a walk along there this morning and it was just like a postcard with fluffy snow […]

The good times just keep rolling here in Nozawa Onsen. After a brief break in the snow last night with clear skies and lots of stars we awoke this morning to snow falling consistently again in the Village. The resort is reporting 5cm of fresh snow has fallen up top this morning and with temps at – 6 degrees conditions should be terrific. A lot more of the resort is open this morning and can now ski top to bottom on the Hikage side of the resort down the Beginner Rinkan course or Forest Trail  and Challenger slopes. So can cruise down for about an 8 km run top to bottom Today is Kids ski free day so there is […]

Base up top: 120 cm          Temperature; -8 Degrees Base at bottom; 50cm New Snow: 75cm Over 75cm of fresh snow has fallen in Nozawa in the last 24 Hours. Yesterday was the game changer and winter has well and truly arrived. We had a clear driveway yesterday morning now we need to dig a path just to get to the road. We were a little unprepared with the shovels and long boots still in storage! But they are working overtime now to clear the amazing amount of snow. This dump is more like one that we have mid season and the few that have taken the chance to come up early will be well rewarded with some deep powder […]

Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort has been open for 4 days now since December 11th. Early days but there have been some fun conditions up top at Yamabiko and down to Uenotaira. Great to get an earlier start this season and hope it means we are in for a good season ahead Was getting a bit icy yesterday morning with a cold start and bluebird conditions.  So some new snow will be most welcome and looks like it is on the way. Forecasts are showing that Winter should take a firm grip on the resort over the next few days with freezing levels dropping to below sea level and good snow falls predicted for most of the week. Today sees the […]

Base up top: 30cm         Temperature; -8 Degrees New Snow: 5cm Exciting news from Nozawa Onsen we have woken up to snow falling in the Village this morning. Not sure what time it started but there is a few centimeters already gathered on the doorstep and nice big flakes are falling outside as I drink my morning coffee. Great to see and should mean we received a decent amount up top. This should hopefully see the resort open tomorrow morning Saturday December 10th. We should know later today so will try and post an update on our twitter and facebook feeds. Some enthusiastic skiers yesterday could not wait for the Lifts to open.  They hiked up the slopes and slid down […]

Thought I better send some photographic evidence of all this snow I was talking about yesterday. Took the drive to half way up the mountain this morning and it quickly became a Winter wonderland as we wound our way up the road that leads to Yamabiko and Shiga Kogen eventually. The snow started to get pretty deep around Paradise Slope so decided to stop the car there and get out for a play. Had some folks from Malaysia and Singapore in tow and for most was the first time to see snow. We do this most years before the lifts start and it is always a buzz to see the excitement on their faces and the thrill of the first […]