Base up top: 210 cm Temp Top; -4 Degrees
Base at bottom; 85 cm
New Snow since close: 18 cm
Weather; Snow
Good news, its dumping in Nozawa Onsen! The snow started to fall earlier than expected just after dark last night and after a brief respite during the early hours of the morning began to fall at heavier levels around 3am this morning. Temperatures are still rather moderate sitting around 0 in the village and -4C up top, although we expected this to drop later in the day.
Best snow conditions will be found on the upper half of the mountain this morning which received the most amount of fresh overnight and suffered the least in yesterdays warmth. Seek shelter and improved visibility by skiing in or close to the tree lined runs. Yamabiko will be nice with all the new snow. For beginners today, best to stick to the lower runs which will have better visibility and less wind.
Yesterday was ok in the morning up high with nice fast conditions, however became slushy during the afternoon. Luckily the expected rain held off and we only had some very light drizzle down in the village.
We have a brilliant week ahead for anyone skiing in Japan. Cold temperatures and continued snowfalls are expected well into next week, probably Wednesday at least. The heaviest falls will occur today, tomorrow night and then again on Sunday night, with moderate falls filling in the gaps.
