Latest News

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 […]

We got one step closer to the December 10th opening today in Nozawa. It rained, sleeted and snowed all day in the Village and you could literally see the snowline just above the lifts on Hikage bowl. Uenotaira, which was bare a few days ago is now white again and looks like a decent cover. The resort was tweeting that there had been 20cm fall, probably enough to warrant a drive to take a drive up there in the morning with the sleds! The outlook is for fairly clear days the next two then heavy snow on Thursday night and temps dropping to as low as minus 13 degrees. Which if eventuates will be the lowest this season so a […]

Has been a picturesque past week in Nozawa Onsen with continual early season dustings on the higher slopes. Unfortunately was not enough to get the lifts running this weekend but the resort is now planning to open next weekend December 10th and the signs for snow are promising. After a warmish day in Nozawa temps are dropping fast and snow expected above 1000m tonight and tomorrow. Should be enough for a play but the real ski action looks set for next weekend. In the meantime if heading up and keen for a ski near by Shiga Kogen has opened a few lifts with some real and man made snow. Up north they have been getting dumped on so hopefully it […]

Glorious morning in Nozawa Onsen today, after a pretty wild one on the weather front yesterday. We had strong winds and sleet throughout the course of the afternoon. The top of the mountain was shrouded in cloud most of the day so was hard to see what was going on up there. But this morning it is blue skies and the views are awesome with a decent coverage of white down to about half way. As the photos show the surrounding peaks got a good dose too. Tempted to drive up and see if we can lay a few first tracks for the season! The forecast is for a few sunny days now which will be nice but probably not […]

We’ve had another 20cm of snow overnight on the mountain.  Down here in the village it’s getting very cold – we’re looking forward to the big dumps!