Patience waiting for snow The sun is shining and it’s a brilliant bluebird day today. Temperatures are up around 9 degrees currently in the village and it’s the warmest I’ve felt for the past week. I’m actually wearing one too many layers. Obviously, this isn’t great for the snow forecast but it’s all just a lesson in patience. The snow will come. The forecast for up to 25cm of new snow on Sunday is still holding. I noticed a couple of local villagers continuing to harvest cabbage this morning outside my window. We received this stunning photo this morning from 野沢温泉スキー場 at Nozawa Ski Resort. It may look like there’s no snow from down in the village but it’s there! […]
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Ski Board Rental Nozawa
Ski Board Rental Nozawa Meet the Team – Nozawa Holidays Leading up to the season will try and introduce you to members of our team and some local legends about Nozawa. First up introducing our man of many talents – Hugo san Hugo is the top dog in charge of both our rental shop and our ski school. Originally from the wine region Rioja in the north of Spain, Hugo is joining us for his 8th consecutive season at Nozawa Onsen. He’s been riding for more than 30 years. Growing up, it was only a 45-minute drive from his hometown to the bottom chairlift of his local field. When Hugo’s not skiing or boarding, you’ll find him on two […]
Onsen Etiquette Nozawa Village
Onsen Etiquette Nozawa Village The mountains today are shrouded in a thick white coating of mist and it’s softly raining in Nozawa Onsen. I saw a rainbow outside of my window this morning. The below-freezing temperatures up top should result in around 10cm of snow today! In the meantime, let’s talk about Onsen etiquette in Nozawa Village. There are 13 free traditional Onsens, formed from natural hot springs. An Onsen, aka. the Japanese version of a hot tub or spa pool is the perfect place to relax each day and defrost from the cold, while we eagerly await the season’s start. Trying out an Onsen for the first time can be an intimidating experience. There are a few rules and […]
Nozawa winter has arrived
Nozawa winter has arrived If you’re in Nozawa Onsen already, I recommend making the most of the glorious sunshine today and heading out for a walk. Nozawa winter has arrived! Although most of yesterday’s snow is melting away, the village is looking picturesque. Water is trickling from rooftops. The sun’s heat is turning the white-sugar dusting of snow on the tree tops into snow glitter falling from the leafy branches. You might be able to manage a ski or board down Hikage, which has a new nice layering of fresh snow. You’ll have to hike to the top of the run though! Yamabiko looks good on the live snow cams with the new snow up top mixing nicely with the […]
First Snow Nozawa Onsen
First Snow Nozawa Onsen It’s day two of winter in Japan and the morning has brought fresh first snow Nozawa Onsen! Since 11 o’clock this morning, our favourite winter sight has been falling from the sky, dusting Nozawa Onsen in white. The morning started with a blue sky and sunshine peaking through scattered clouds but as the day rolled along, dark-grey cloud cover descended on Nozawa Onsen. It’s the first snow in the village of the season. Fingers crossed this is a very good sign for an epic winter to come! Usually, on average, it’s the third snow of the season that sticks around so we are now on our way. The resort is making the most of the freezing […]
Places to stay Nozawa
Places to stay Nozawa The 1st of December and the first day of Winter in Japan We are waking to a dusting of snow up top at Yamabiko and on the surrounding higher peaks. Checking the web cams and the resort has the snow guns blasting away up there too. With about 20cm expected in the next 24 hours I wonder if they are quietly hoping they may get open on Saturday. It will be a stretch but you never know we may get more than forecast, it has happened before 🙂 Looking ahead and temps will remain reasonably cold up top sitting below 0 degrees most days with snow marks here and there. If planning a ski trip to […]
Resorts Open Early Japan
Resorts Open Early Japan Harvesting the Veggies in Nozawa before they end up in the cool room. We have had some beautiful sunny days lately and as always helpful with getting work done before the season starts. Conditions look set to change from tomorrow afternoon with a West/ North West wind change dropping temps by over 10 degrees and taking the freezing level down. Resorts Open Early Japan Rain up top will turn to snow and a decent fall forecast for Friday night. Not sure it will be enough to get the lifts turning but with cold temps they can no doubt get the snow making happening too. Stay tuned it is early days. Resorts currently open in the […]
Renting Powder Skis Nozawa
Renting Powder Skis Nozawa Frothing Friday from the slopes of Japan A little flashback to last season and some of the epic powder we experienced. Hope it helps get you thru those last weeks before you can take to the powder again. If it is your first time and not so use to all this light white fluffy stuff check out our little guide on choosing the right ski here ; https://www.nozawaholidays.com/news/what-is-a-powder-ski/ If looking to rent skis or boards be sure to drop in and see the friendly knowledgeable team at Nozawa Central Rentals for all your gear when in Nozawa. Here is a link to book for the upcoming season; https://www.nozawaholidays.com/ski-gear-clothing-hire/ See you in the powder. Video @heart_films always […]
Early Bird Special Nozawa
Early Bird Special Nozawa First “Magic Foot” of Snow for the Alps Up at the peak of Hotakadake mountain, the third highest mountain in Japan at 3190m above sea level they got close to 30cm of snow just yesterday! The report says there was nothing in the morning but it snowed all day and almost a foot accumulated on the doorstep of the mountain hut there. The hut is set up for Mountain climbers to stay in over the green season and it’s open for just 2 more days before going into hibernation for the Winter. Located just below the peak is the Karasawa Hutte and camping area known as Karasawa Cirque. I was up there in mid May this […]
Ski Instructor Jobs Japan
Ski Instructor Jobs Japan Ever dreamed of being a Ski or Snowboard Instructor in Japan Work in Nozawa Onsen for this coming Snow season or longer We have still got a few spots left for the coming winter in the amazing Nozawa Holidays Team. So if you are stuck in the daily grind may be time to look at a Ski Change and move the the beautiful village of Nozawa Onsen. A fantastic opportunity for some one with a passion for teaching others how to ski or board and a passion to live the snow life and become part of not just a great team but an amazing community. We need some more Instructors for the ski season from mid […]