Yu Road Nozawa Onsen
The “Yu Road” or moving walk way is an interesting and easy way to to get up to the slopes at Hikage from the centre of the village.
It was built in the early 90s during the bubble era when the resort was packed with local Japanese skiers visiting. It takes a bit less than 10 minutes to reach the top and you come out at the Kids Park with jumping castles, magic carpets, the Zip Line and the big Nasuki! There also the Hikage Ski Centre and a bunch of great places to eat.
The Hikage bowl is great skiing for all levels and the black runs of Ushikubi and Kurokura that drop into it can be amazing on a powder day.
In the old days before the walk way was built we used to walk up to Hikage in the deep snow about 300m, was always an interesting walk up and even more so coming down after a few Sakes.
The stats for the slopes today in Nozawa
Temperature up top: 0 degrees
New snow since close: 0 cm
Base at top: 205 cm
Snow conditions: Spring like
Weather: Beautiful Sunny day with some scattered cloud
Yu Road Nozawa Onsen
Yesterday was much better than Thursday with the snow faster under foot and softening up in the afternoon without getting sticky. It was pretty quiet on the slopes and a few of the families that have been here for the week were enjoying the warmth after last weeks Siberian Chill. Today should be pretty similar with 0 degrees up top at the moment it will probably be firm early but with the Sun and temps warming up should soften nicely into the afternoon.
Tomorrow will see a warmer start to the day and probably rain in the evening but the morning will be sunny so no need to write the whole day off on the slopes. There will be a few people around for the weekend but it is not a long weekend so don’t think will be crazy. Monday night still looking the goods and the snow amount expected has increased on the forecast and we should see a return to nice cold temps and snow across the resort from Monday afternoon into Tuesday. Have a great weekend, stay safe and enjoy the slide.
More info on Hikage, the Kids park and great things for families in Nozawa here https://www.nozawaholidays.com/family-friendly-nozawa/
