The Utopia Mogul field. There is a little restaurant at the bottom and is a great place to sit and watch the carnage!

Base up top: 395 cm                  Temperature; +2 Degrees

Base at bottom; 270 cm

New Snow: 0 cm                           Weather; Sunshine

A bit of spring in our step in Nozawa Onsen today, at village level anyway it is a pretty warm one.

Up high is still really nice with blue skies and good quality snow under feet. In the Village we are enjoying this sun and warmer weather, means a nice break from the constant shoveling we had earlier. I know the powder hounds are getting hungry though!

Always a sure sign when you see them making kickers around the place. Some set up one yesterday, jumping over the cat track getting some amazing air.

Temps are still warm tomorrow then should drop off and bring some snow in on Friday night and then a few other top ups after that with scatterings of sunshine.

Funny but we had this little warm spell around the same time last season in February, but it was soon replaced with the Winter cold in early March.

Kids walking home from School in Nozawa. Always an adventure...

Nozawa gets some magic sunsets. This one captured by Gabriel Sutter. Thanks Gab

Base up top: 395 cm                  Temperature; -2 Degrees

Base at bottom; 280 cm

New Snow: 0 cm

The day started off like yesterday with a bit of sun and some scattered cloud. With no wind was a beautiful morning. Around lunchtime some darkish storm clouds have engulfed the resort and even a little bit of very light snow is falling down low.

Can’t see what is going on up top with the cloud cover but reports were it was really nice on the groomers early and still some powder stashes around the place.

Yesterday was magic all day and the fine weather skiers were in their element. More sun expected for tomorrow too and very quiet on the slopes, lift lines are non existent.

A bit of precipitation building for Thursday now so lets hope it is the good kind!

On the agenda we have the tour to the Snow Monkeys tomorrow Wednesday and then again on Saturday. Soba making and eating night on Thursday. Tonight looks like a few are heading to Hamacho Sushi but they can only fit about 15 do get in early!

Kiku a master of the knife, great fisherman, chef and all round nice guy. Preparing a sashimi feast for the hungry skiers

Perfect day to have a slide or clear 4 meters of snow off the roof!

Base up top: 410 cm                  Temperature; -9 Degrees

Base at bottom; 295 cm

New Snow: 0 cm

Another sunny winter day in Nozawa Onsen this morning. Pretty spectacular scenery out there and should be able to see all the way to the Japan Sea from the top today.

Pretty cold early up top at -9 degrees so the groomers may be a bit hard but there was a lot of snow the day before yesterday and it is warming up so in general should still be really nice conditions.

Yesterday was an awesome day on the mountain with fresh snow and sunshine. The crowds were up in the morning and it started to warm a bit down low in the afternoon but did not seem to put a damper on the levels of stoke amongst the happy sliders.

The base is still over the 400cm mark so there is a lot of snow up there to enjoy. Looking ahead and a few snowman marks are starting to form for Wednesday night and into Thursday now which won’t do us any harm!

Anyway perfect day out there so happy sliding.

A friend said it is hard to take a bad photo in Nozawa Onsen. This is on the way to the local tip so I guess they were right!

The views south from Villa Nozawa this morning towards Madarao. Check out that pillow on the tower!

Base up top: 430 cm                  Temperature; -6 Degrees

Base at bottom; 305 cm

New Snow: 10 cm

Bam, someone turned on the light here in Nozawa this morning with a beautiful blue bird start to the day. It snowed most of the day yesterday and there is 10cm of fresh recorded since close of lifts so reckon we got at least 60cm out of that last system.

Has made for magnificent conditions today on the slopes. Will be a bit of competition for lines early but most of the Tokyo siders should depart by lunchtime and still leave ample stashes for the stayers.

Yesterday was challenging with limited visibility but a real winters day and some amazing powder to be had for the hearty.

Looks like we are in for a few sunny days ahead and a warm late February spike on the radar. There is a lot of snow on my roof, so am asking the question should I get up there or hope that the sun will do the job? As we have seen many times this season you never know what Mother Nature has install for us in the mountains!

Gab and Keisuke putting the final touches on the ice bar for todays BBQ at Villa Nozawa

February in Nozawa so far so good with another 40cm dump

Base up top: 430 cm                  Temperature; -10 Degrees

Base at bottom; 305 cm

New Snow: 40 cm

Mother Nature has been getting busy in Nozawa overnight with a huge 40cm plus dump being delivered to the resort. Had a friend call me from Tokyo last night asking if they needed chains to come up and said always carry them but should be fine. Definitely needed them today.

Have had a few come down the mountain talking of amazing face shots and armpit deep in places! Was well over the knees in the car park this morning here!

The base has smashed thru the 4 meter mark and now sitting at a very respectable 430cm! Still falling heavy outside now, as heavy as have seen it all season.

Anyone coming up for the weekend will be well rewarded with the powder but the visibility will be pretty marginal up high on the slopes.

The snow show should continue today then tomorrow we have put in an order for some sunshine and a blue bird day is forecast. With all this snow it is going to be something special…

Knee deep in the drive way this morning at Villa Nozawa and still falling

Matt McDonald doing some exploring in the fun conditions. Photo by Mark Jobson. Thanks Mark

Base up top: 380 cm                  Temperature; -6 Degrees

Base at bottom; 270 cm

New Snow: 10 cm

Has been a while since we had this rhythm beating in Nozawa. Had been getting used to constant snow. But today is a magnificent day with at least 10cm of fresh snow and glorious sunshine.

Yesterday was more or less a carbon copy with pristine conditions all over the resort and about 20cm of fresh. Everyone was back down as late as possible enjoying the magic sunset.

The snow is supposed to continue today and a bit tomorrow then blue bird on Sunday but at the moment it is pretty bright outside at the moment.

For anyone coming up to Nozawa in March or April here is a list of upcoming events. March is all happening in Nozawa with lots of cool festivals and events organized

Nozawa Onsen Spring Events Calendar

3rd March  Lantern festival  19:00  Hikage Slopes

10-11th March  Hatoguruma cup – ski race

12th March   ski/snowboard in the morning before lifts open to the public
meet at Nagasaka gondola at 7:50 am

12th March   ski with famous skiers for half day
apply before 9:30 am at Hikage ski school
First 15 people only

14th March  white day
10:30  Hikage Slopes
free chocolate fondu for female

17th March family festival

25th March 10:00  Yamabiko Slopes
spring festival
various event such as games, free hot pot & sake etc

13-15th and 28-30th April Yamabiko Slopes
Try new release ski at Demo Day
bring photo ID

30th April + 4th May Nagasaka Gondola – nagasaka station
free mountain vegetable tempura for everyone

Snow should still be good all the way too with the abundance of base this season. So a great time to find yourself in Nozawa Onsen. We look forward to seeing you

Finally Kai meets someone his own size. Snow man Festival coming up in Nozawa

The Shinyu Pair lift that runs past Nozawa House takes people from the Ski Musem at Hikage to the bottom of the Village. Sweet ride.

Base up top: 385 cm                  Temperature; -7 Degrees

Base at bottom; 270 cm

New Snow: 5 cm

Have been blessed with some nice blue skies in Nozawa this morning. Really squinting when go outside as the eyes adjust to the brightness. Feels like we have been in a snow cave for a while!

Reports are showing 5cm of fresh since lifts closed yesterday plus what we received yesterday day is reflected by an overall slight increase in the base levels today. Should make for a fun on the slopes, especially since there were not many up there yesterday with all the fog about. May even be a few nice fresh lies up for grabs.

Yesterday was pretty hard to see your hand in front of your face at times so this is going to be a nice change.

The weekend is just around the corner and will be a lively one, with the Jazz Festival in full swing. Friday night is a free concert at Himatsuri Bar opposite Oyu then Saturday night is the big one at the Arena from 7:30pm. Tickets are 2000 Yen  or if buy prior at the Tourist office just 1500 Yen. There is a good line up so sure to be a mellow night of music combined with some good skiing conditions expected.

Snow shoe Touring Nozawa below the beautiful Ice Trees

Your own private slopes await in April in Nozawa Onsen

Base up top: 380 cm                  Temperature; -5 Degrees

Base at bottom; 265 cm

New Snow: 0 cm

We woke up to a pretty bleak start to the day here in Nozawa with fog blanketing most of the resort and even some rain down low.

It is giving way now to some light snow down low and heavier up high. Visibility is pretty non-existent and it is more like an English ferry crossing up high at the moment. But there have been a few come back and say the snow quality is pretty nice up top. They have decided to hit an onsen and wait for better views tomorrow!

Down low is not as bad and if you are keen sure you could link a few turns together.

We should get a bit of sun tomorrow then a good dump from tomorrow night. All going to plan that should carry into Saturday then for the first time in a while I am seeing some sunshine on the menu for Nozawa. Kind of looking forward to it!

For anyone in Australia and thinking of shooting up to enjoy the bumper season we are having, Jetstar has just put out a 2 for 1 Sale to Japan

Here is the link http://www.jetstar.com/au/en/special%20offers/japan2for1

Appears to be mainly for the month of April, which is not a bad thing. With so much snow this year conditions should still be pretty good fun then. Traditionally it is Spring skiing with some sunny days and seriously private slopes. We are doing great deals on accom too so may be time to jump on the computer and then on a plane and come up to Nozawa!

We have had so much snow this season in Nozawa they had to dig the lifts out so you dont hit the ground! Photo by Matt McDonald Thanks Matt

The road up to Nagasaka Gondola by Adrian Testa. Check the light coming thru the windows at Nozawa Cottage

Base up top: 395 cm                  Temperature; 0 Degrees

Base at bottom; 280 cm

New Snow: 5 cm

Happy Valentines day from Nozawa Onsen. Today on the slopes at Hikage they are giving out free chocolate fondue so if you missed out head down there and drown your sorrows in chocolate.

On the weather front a pretty foggy day all over the resort and warmish weather, which is probably, responsible for the fog as the warm moist air blows over the snow. The riding conditions up high should still good with a bit of fresh falling after lifts closed yesterday.

The road clearers have been at work again yesterday and the sides of the roads just keep getting higher around the resort.

Drove down to Iiyama yesterday to do my once a season shop and was amazed by the size of the walls on the sides of the roads all the way down to Iiyama. In a usual season we would have a bit of snow down there but yesterday they were well overhead high.

There is a meeting of all the local ski resorts today too at nearby Hokuryu Resort. It is the little resort just as you come into Nozawa Onsen. Still have rope toes and cheap lift tickets with zero crowds worth a look if looking for something off the beaten track.

Reminder for anyone in town we have the Mizuo Sake tasting night happening tomorrow at Villa Nozawa from 7pm always a fun night.

Tatsuya the head of Ski Patrol and the Nozawa Team head of for the local resorts meeting

Was blue as far as the eye could see this morning in Nozawa

Base up top: 395 cm                  Temperature; +1 Degrees

Base at bottom; 295 cm

New Snow: 10 cm

After the blizzard type condition yesterday we woke to a beautiful Blue Bird day this morning in Nozawa. Feels like a different world with bright sunshine and light winds it is going to be one of those special days up on the mountain.

Yesterday was hard going but some terrific snow to be had for the brave. The 30m rail contest was pretty popular and a big congratulations to Alba from Switzerland who is 30 kg of rice richer!

The winds have switched to the south now and with it we are expecting a bit of a jump in temps for the next few days before dropping back to the minus level.

Looks like we should get a fair amount of snow in by the end of the week so enjoy the sun while it lasts

After the dump the clean up begins in Nozawa