Snow Update Nozawa Onsen – Shiga Kogen to the Rescue
With Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort yet to open nearby Shiga Kogen has been the saviour so far this season. With the higher altitude than Nozawa, about 300m above the top here and the snow making facilities conditions have been fun there. We have been running shuttles over daily for guests to make the most of it. Some have likened it to Australia peak season but a better vertical drop! Here are more details on Shiga and other things to do Nozawa things to do now
Nozawa Onsen Outlook
Looking out the window it is looking like it will be a bit later season this year in Nozawa. Every year is different, some years we open very early December or even late November. On average over the years would say we are skiing here by December the 10th most years. Often the resort opens when the Winter Switch is hit and we get a massive 1 meter or so dump and temperatures remain cold for a prolonged time. This has not yet happened this year but it could still happen at anytime, weather in the mountains changes quickly!
Looking at the forecast and consistent top ups of snow are predicted for the top over the next 12 days and looking more promising towards the end. There is currently about 30cm of base up top and I believe they need at least 50cm to groom the runs so we are not far away.
Snow Update Nozawa Onsen
If Wednesday and Friday nights falls can gather a little more push we could open the top of the mountain here in Nozawa. The resort is very keen to get opened and have staff on standby and are rolling lifts in preparation but they need a little more. The official is the they will open asap and are ready so just need that bit more snow.
Big thanks to everyone that has visited so far and to everyone that is coming. We know the snow is totally out of our control but naturally feel bad when the famous Nozawa Powder is delayed đ
All this expected snow will also fall on Shiga Kogen and along with the snow making conditions will only keep getting better there too as they open more areas and runs. It is the biggest Ski area in Japan!
So why are we having a late season? Your guess is really as good as mine. I personally think Global Warming has naturally some affect on the snow conditions. If you look at how hot it is all around the world and seems to be getting hotter every year you would have to be good friends with Donald Trump not to agree. Another reason I believe is the huge amount of rain we had this year with Typhoon Hagibis in October that saw many parts of Nagano flooded. We received an entire years rain in a few days so the sky has already shed a lot of precipitation for this year. Lets hope next years allotment starts on 1st of January!
Global warning could also lead to more snow too NHK News Forecast on Snow
Snow Update Nozawa Onsen
Anyway I am sure we will still get a lot of snow in Nozawa this Season, last season was one of our best for a while. Check out this footage all from last year and the year before in Nozawa Onsen. It can get ” Deep” sometimes almost too much snow…