Ski Report

Nozawa Onsen Snow Report, 5th of March 2019 There’s really no other news to begin with beyond the fact we got a fresh 15 centimetres overnight. Those disheartened by the wet conditions at village level need only venture up higher to have their spirits lifted. It wasn’t quite cold enough in town for that rain to turn to snow (except briefly). But both the Uenotaira and Yamabiko areas were certainly cold enough, yesterday and overnight. It’s been a little while since we’ve had some new snowfall but now that it has arrived, it looks as though we’ll add to it in the days to come. The current cloud is set to clear for another sunny spring afternoon. Over the second […]

Nozawa Onsen Snow Report, 4th of March 2019 The forecast has definitely improved, even since yesterday. While it may be a little warm to snow at village level right now, we’re expecting more than a handful up top today. The current forecast suggests double digits tonight. That much and then some is currently expected to arrive Wednesday night and throughout Thursday. It might be difficult to believe with all the spring weather we’ve been seeing for past few weeks but it looks like winter is soon to make a welcome return (at least at the top of the mountain). This week may be an ordinary one at village level. The warmer temperatures may have us believe that the rain is […]

Nozawa Onsen Snow Report, 3rd of March 2019 The first thing we should probably consider doing is not getting too excited upon looking at the forecast for the coming week. Having said that, we’ve had a bit of a dry spell and it’s hard not to. As we have said many times before, the forecasters tend to over deliver. Ten centimetres often eventuates as twenty. So looking at the forecast, particularly on Monday night and throughout Thursday, it does look promising. However, with all things Mother Nature does, it may change before the time comes. We’ll have to just wait and see but for now, it certainly gives us hope of a spring dump! Spring skiing is favoured by many […]

Nozawa Onsen Snow Report 2nd of March, 2019 Given that the last bit of winter was very spring-like, it should come as no surprise that we’re now officially spring skiing, even if you aren’t familiar with the Gregorian calendar. We’ve seen some warm temperatures and some gorgeous days filled with blue sky and sunshine. While that’s all good and well, Mother Nature may have something else in store for us. That’s according to the forecast for the week to come… There looks to be a bit around on Wednesday night and through Thursday (possibly beyond). As we well know from experience with the snow forecast, the forecasters have a habit of under promising and over delivering. So there’s a chance […]

Nozawa Onsen Snow Report 1st of March, 2019 It has been such whirlwind season here in Nozawa that it’s a little hard to believe winter has now gone. There’s no need to be too sad, though. The passing of winter means that spring is here. Many people will tell you that spring skiing is even better than the powder days of earlier in the season. Temperatures are warmer, of course. This is always good for a beer or two in between runs! There are fewer people around during March too. It’s not uncommon to find that you’re the only one on a run (especially on a weekday). When you couple the above with cheaper lift passes and discounts on accommodation, […]

Nozawa Onsen Snow Report 28th February 2019 Tomorrow is officially spring but you could be forgiven for thinking it had come early. We’ve had some sunny, spring-like conditions of late. Today, however, is a little different. A few extra centimetres fell upon on the top of Mount Kenashi this morning. While we would never complain about fresh snow, we’d probably also like a bit more. At village level, it looks like a pretty good day to embark upon an onsen crawl. Or perhaps even grab a beer and head for the foot onsen near O-yu. Having said that, with those few extra centimetres falling upon a substantial base on the mountain, there’s no reason not to be sliding about up […]

Nozawa Onsen Snow Report 27th February 2019 Here comes spring! To be fair, we’ve been experiencing some spring-like conditions for the past week and a bit. There hasn’t been a lot of snow lately but there have been some glorious sunny days. We’re hopeful of seeing another dump or two before the season is done but the current forecast suggests that, if we do, it will be during Magic March. The year’s shortest month will become March in a few short days. While there is a bit on the radar for tomorrow, it’s doubtful it will eventuate to much more than a dusting. The weekend, however, may yet turn out to two days of twin tales. Saturday looks set to […]

Nozawa Onsen Snow Report 26th February 2019 We’re still awaiting some late-February snow to fall. But once again, we’re not complaining about the visibility! Nozawa Onsen has been throwing up some amazing, spring-like days of late. The temperature was forecast to dive today but there is little evidence of that thus far. Instead, we’ve got a brilliant day of blue skies and some cloud. The forward forecast for the week ahead shows a bit of light snow here and there but nothing significant to speak of. At least, not at this stage. We all know how quickly that can change. Let’s hope that it does and just see what happens. In the meantime, we’re thankful for the existing substantial base […]

Nozawa Onsen Snow Report 25th February 2019 There might not be a lot of fresh snow to talk about lately but there have been blessings of a different kind. A few days of the past week have been simply stunning days to be on the mountain or in the village. There’s a bit of cloud about but today should mostly concern itself with sunshine. Is there any new snow coming our way in the near future? Maybe. The forecast for the coming week doesn’t show too much. However, it does look as though we’ll see snow of some degree fall on Thursday night. It’s presently only looking like a handful but that could change. We’ve said it many times already […]

Nozawa Onsen Snow Report 24th February 2019 What an amazing day we find ourselves enjoying again today! We might not have had the snow we would of late but it’s hard to complain on a day like today. The sun is shining brightly over Mount Kenashi and Nozawa Onsen. This should continue throughout the day. There is perhaps a tiny dusting on the cards for tomorrow night. Beyond that, the most promising return of winter looks to be Thursday. There’s a handful of snow predicted to fall late Thursday and we all know what happens when they forecast a bit – we get lots. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves though. The weather has a habit of changing. What we […]