CROSS COUNTRY SKIING NOZAWA
Cross-country (Nordic) skiing is a different way to enjoy winter here in Nozawa Onsen. The resort, boasting both on snow Nordic courses and official courses of the Ski Association of Japan, has a strong Nordic influence. Nozawa Onsen hosted the Nordic Biathlon event in the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, and the official Olympic tracks are still skied on today.
The Minamihara Cross Country Course, on the right of the Karasawa chair, bears both a 5KM and 7.5KM Nordic courses. The start and finish points of the courses are 80m x 120m flatground, making it an ideal training area for beginners. The course is open from late December through to late March.
The Uenotaira Cross Country Course, located at 1,300m, is a real getaway from the crowds. The Uenotaira Cross Country Course can be accessed off the Uenotaira slope. The Uenotaira course is surrounded by trees and untouched snow, making it the place to be for those interested in Nozawa’s natural landscapes. The Uenotaira course is maintained at the beginning and later stages of the ski season, so if you’re cross country skiing in the middle of the season it’s best to head to the Minamihara Cross Country Course.
There is a course management and usage fee, which is 500 yen a day per person.
If you’re looking to escape the crowds and grab some shots of the incredible nature, then cross country skiing is the sport for you. You can grab some cross country rental gear from Kanamori Sports and head to Uenotaira Cross Country Course Administration Building for more information.