Japan Cold Snap Nozawa
Japan is being hit by a once-in-a-decade cold snap and we’re certainly feeling it here in Nozawa Onsen.
We’ve again hit our two metre mark for the Yamabiko base! Yesterday we woke up to sunshine but by lunchtime, the clouds had crowded in, the winds picked up and the snow started falling.
The base went from 150cm to 230cm in just one day!
Temperatures are the coldest they’ve been all season so if you’re out chasing some of that powder today, put on double those usual layers and make sure you’ve got your powder planks if venturing anywhere off the groomers. You know its cold when the road heating just can’t keep up.
It’s going to be quite windy today – around 60km/hr so keep an eye on our stories for the latest updates of whether the gondola and lifts are open or not.
Japan Cold Snap Nozawa
In anticipation of the severe storm, Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways canceled more than 120 flights to and from airports facing the Sea of Japan yesterday! Anyone taking the Snow Shuttle Bus to the airport it has been cancelled for today. Full refunds will be given and can take the train and bus to the airport. Here is a link to times but they could be delayed too; https://www.nozawaholidays.com/timetable/
The Nozawa Onsen Liner to Iiyama Station is running but at about a 10 minute delay. This could change with conditions so allow time. Bullet trains are running as far as we know but delays are most likely. Japan gets things. going quickly but take care and give yourself time.
TODAY:
Temperature at the top; -11 degrees on Yamabiko and -14 degrees on Uenotaira!
New snow since yesterday; 70cm of light fluffy powder
Base at the top; 230cm
Snow conditions; A huge dumping of fresh powder, chase those first tracks!
Weather; Snowing for most of the day.
LIFTS IN OPERATION:
Just lower lifts at this stage rest on wind hold including both Gondolas
Open are ; Nagasaka, Hikage, Karasawa Connector
RUNS OPEN: Lower runs serviced by those lifts
SNOW FORECAST:
And so begins the week of some epic powder days in Nozawa Onsen! By the end of today, we should have another 15cm at least of fresh snow topping up last night’s dump. Thursday will see light snow showers all day getting heavy in the evening, another 10cm. Friday is much the same – light during the day and then heavy snow falls overnight, delivering over another 30cm of snow! The weekend is looking excellent with 30cm or a “Magic Foot” predicted each day!
Wrap up warm and see you out there!
Let us know in the comments below your favourite powder runs and tag us #nozawaonsenjapan while you’re out chasing that pow to be featured on our Instagram stories.
