Nozawa Christmas almost here Santa is coming this weekend and so is the snow! We’ve had a lovely top up of fresh snow overnight so hopefully there will be excellent riding conditions today, especially if you’re up there early! As the ski season kicks in, don’t forget to look after your body. Skiing and snowboarding are intense activities where you’re working your muscles hard, especially when riding in any powder or moguls. Listen to your body, and if it needs a rest day, take that rest! It’s only the beginning of the season so you want to be fit and healthy to keep riding and exploring the mountain to your heart’s content for many days to come. Enjoy an Onsen […]
Latest News from Nozawa Onsen
Restaurant booking advice Nozawa
Restaurant booking advice Nozawa When dining out in Nozawa Onsen during busy season, it can often be difficult to find a space in the popular spots! I’d recommend getting in early – most people eat around 7pm so head to that restaurant you’ve been thinking about all day while out skiing at 6pm instead! You can also book ahead! Many of the restaurants here have seasonal English speaking workers so you can stop by and book in person, give them a call or message their social media! Another idea is to get off the main drag! The restaurants on Oyu Doru Street are easily accessible which means they get crowded very quickly. Instead, go for an explore off the beaten […]
Compacted snow conditions Nozawa
Compacted snow conditions Nozawa Yesterday was a gorgeous day up the mountain with skiers and boarders floating around on fresh powder! It was great to see lots of people from around the world making the most of the day, riding and having fun. An extra bonus is the mountain is still quite quiet at the moment so there are hardly ever any lift queues! Make the most of this as most of Nozawa Onsen’s accomodation is almost fully booked up for January! TODAY: Temperature at the top; -6 degrees with a windchill down to -7 (not quite as cold as yesterday!) New snow since yesterday; 0cm total Base at the top; 45cm Snow conditions; Compacted snow Weather; It’s a gorgeous […]
Waking Up Nozawa Snow
Waking Up Nozawa Snow The moment we’ve all been eagerly waiting for has arrived – waking up to a thick layering of white powdery snow in Nozawa Onsen village! After the weekend’s big snow forecast not eventuating, many of us pondered when we’d finally catch up to the rest of Nagano and neighbouring Niigata prefectures – even Joetsu, right by the ocean, received it’s first snow dump! But here we are, waking up to a winter wonderland. How good! TODAY: Temperature at the top; -5 degrees with a windchill down to -17 in the morning so make sure to bring those extra layers! New snow since yesterday; 8cm total (wahoo!) Base at the top; 45cm Snow conditions; Fresh powder! Weather; […]
One week Nozawa Christmas
One Week Nozawa Christmas Can you believe it, Christmas is only one week away?! As Japan is not a Christian country, but rather follows the religions of Buddhism and Shinto, Christmas isn’t usually celebrated in the traditional “Western” sense. What this does mean, is most restaurants, bars and shops will be open! AND, the slopes will be open too! Japan does have many other big celebrations, however, including the Nozawa Onsen Fire Festival. Yesterday, locals from the village were putting up a Toru (or shrine) in preparation for the Fire Festival on January 15th. The Toru is erected in celebration of the birth of a child in a local family. It is then burnt to the ground on the 15th […]
Another day Nozawa Paradise
Another Day Nozawa Paradise It’s a lovely winters day in Nozawa Onsen, waking up to the magic of soft falling snow with the beautiful blue sky peeking through scattered clouds. How lucky are we to be here! It will be a fun day up on the mountain with a consistent top up of snow on the trails all day. TODAY: Temperature at the top; – 6 degrees with a windchill down to -25 so make sure to bring a few extra layers. New snow since yesterday; 10cm total. Base at the top; 45cm (the base continues to build, yahoo!). Snow conditions; Fresh dusting of powder. This will be topped up all day as it continues to snow throughout the […]
More slopes open Nozawa
More slopes open Nozawa Today is the official opening festival of Nozawa Onsen Snow Resort! From 11am, in front of the Rest House Yamabiko, the resort will be serving local sake Mizuo and biathlon hot pot! Come and celebrate the beginning of what’s to be an epic season. TODAY: Temperature at the top; -5 degrees with a windchill down to -10 so wrap up warm New snow since yesterday; 3cm Base at the top; 35cm (the base is building!) Snow conditions; Fresh dusting on groomed base. This will be the last day need to watch out under foot I think as tomorrow will be a big change in the landscape with a big front expected from tonight. Weather; It will […]
Nozawa winter wonderland arrival
Nozawa Winter Wonderland Arrival One of the best sights in the world – waking up to falling snow! The most gorgeous view when I opened my blinds this morning… Roofs already covered in a blanket of snow. The game changer has arrived. And with the game changer comes the expansion of where you can explore on the Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort! More chairlifts and slopes have opened today. 🎿TODAY: Temperature at the top; -4 degrees with a windchill down as low as -15 New snow since yesterday; Just a dusting but should get up to 25cm today Base at the top; 30cm Snow conditions; Fresh powder! Please continue to watch out for stones and any bushes or trees protruding from […]
Nozawa season ramps up
Nozawa season ramps up Yesterday gave us a sweet little taster of the epic season that’s to come up at Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort. It was snowing for most of the day but that didn’t deter many Nozawa locals and visitors alike from getting lap after lap up on Yamabiko. Skier’s right provided some fresh powder to ride your own line through if you were lucky! TODAY: Temperature at the top; -6 degrees with a windchill down as low as -15 New snow since yesterday; 0cm Base at the top; 30cm Snow conditions; Fresh powder! Please continue to watch out for stones and any bushes or trees protruding from the snow, especially as the day continues and the run gets […]
Day two snow Nozawa
Day two snow Nozawa The weather gods are on our side and winter feels like it is finally arriving in Nozawa Onsen as Christmas inches closer! The resort received 15cm of fresh snow overnight! Although only one run is open today, it will be good to get up there early and you might find some fresh powder. Looking up into the surrounding mountains, the snow is slowly but surely moving its way down lower and lower. It will reach the village soon. TODAY: Temperature at the top; -2 degrees with a windchill down as low as -20 New snow since yesterday; 15cm Base at the top; 30cm Snow conditions; Fresh snow mixed with man-made snow. Watch out for stones and […]