Nozawa Onsen Fire Festival – The Run down Just 3 more sleeps until the main event the famous Fire Festival takes place in Nozawa Onsen on Sunday the 15th of January. An amazing festival, steeped in history and an unbelievable spectacle. It looks like the snow gods will be coming to the party big time this year too. It is well known amongst locals that it snows the heaviest in Nozawa around this time and looks like this year will be no exception. The build up to the Festival is also well worth checking out and here is some of the happenings to try and get down and see it. Right now – The Toro to celebrate the kids Don’t […]
Latest News from Nozawa Onsen
Nozawa Snow Report 12 January 2017
Westerly winds bring only a light overnight dusting Nozawa Snow Report 12 January 2017: Stats Base at top: 175 cm Temp at Top: -8 Degree Base at Uenotaira station: 140 cm New snow since close: 5 cm Weather: Light snow Nozawa Snow Report 12 January 2017: Overview Last night was a complete fizzer. We received only 5cm of snow up top which is significantly less than expected. I think we can attribute this result to a shift in the wind direction to the West. When this occurs windward mountains such as Myoko as well as other coastal peaks draw and block much of the lake effect snow. The winds are expected to remain Westerly all day and therefore we aren’t […]
Nozawa Snow Report 11 January 2017
Heavy falls overnight; A 70cm storm total Nozawa Snow Report 11 January 2017: Stats Base at top: 180 cm Temp at Top: -7 Degree Base at Uenotaira station: 140 cm New snow since close: 45 cm Weather: Light snow Nozawa Snow Report 11 January 2017: Overview Day number two of this run of snow and we have reached a total of (70cm) since last lifts on Monday. Overnight there has been 45cm fall at Yamabiko and about 30cm across the lower mountain. The freezing point has nosedived to just above sea level and is not expected to rise above this mark for the next seven days. I will be keeping a running tab of snowfalls for the next week on […]
Nozawa Snow Report 10 January 2017
It begins Nozawa Snow Report 10 January 2017: Stats Base at top: 160 cm Temp at Top: -6 Degree Base at Uenotaira station: 125 cm New snow since close: 25 cm Weather: Light snow Nozawa Snow Report 10 January 2017: Overview Anticipation is high. Skis and boards are waxed and ready to slide. Memory cards are cleared and gopros are charged. Its been dumping overnight up top and will stay this way for over a week. Winter has arrived in full to Nozawa Onsen. Since last lifts 25cm has blanketed the slopes. Today the snow will be of the highest quality on the upper mountain and on the lower mountain its will be wet thanks to the relatively high freezing […]
Nozawa Snow Report 9 January 2017
Great base building snow; 10cm up high Nozawa Snow Report 9 January 2017: Stats Base at top: 145 cm Temp at Top: -3 Degree Base at Uenotaira station: 105 cm New snow since close: 10 cm Weather: Overcast Nozawa Snow Report 9 January 2017: Overview Around 6pm last night we had a brief passing shower. However this quickly turned to snow even in the village. Quite surprising given the warm temperatures. Since last lifts yesterday we have had a total snowfall of 10cm at Yamabiko and 2cm down at village level. We expect temperatures to cool gradually through the day with the freezing level receding to around 800m above sea level. Heavy snow is predicted for tonight. Today the best […]
Nozawa Snow Report 8 January 2017
The calm before the storm Nozawa Snow Report 8 January 2017: Stats Base at top: 145 cm Temp at Top: -5 Degree Base at Uenotaira station: 100 cm New snow since close: 0 cm Weather: Clear Nozawa Snow Report 8 January 2017: Forecast The wait could be over very soon in here in Nozawa Onsen. After much flip flopping the predictions have come into line once more for the past 24 hours. And they are suggesting something big. From tomorrow afternoon until about the 16th or 17th we are expecting consistent moderate to heavy snow. This is the most impressive run of snow I can remember as far back as dec/jan 2014/15. To begin with there will be some rain today […]
Big Snow Forecast for Nozawa Onsen
Big snow forecast for Nozawa! Enjoy the sunshine today, it could be the last we see for a while! Even if your cup is only half full it is hard to ignore the numbers. Looks like we are in for a snow fest from tonight on. Temps still a bit warm in the village so will probably get some rain down low for the first day or so but snow up top and there are some huge dumping days expected. Better dig out the powder boards and the shovels…
Nozawa Snow Report 7 January 2017
Sunny skies above Nozawa Onsen Nozawa Snow Report 7 January 2017: Stats Base at top: 150 cm Temp at Top: -8 Degree Base at Uenotaira station: 100 cm New snow since close: 0 cm Weather: Clear Nozawa Snow Report 7 January 2017: Overview Today is the first day in a while without overnight snowfalls in Nozawa Onsen. We awoke to clear skies and no wind. A classic Japanese bluebird with ample viewing opportunities from the summit of Mt Kenashi. Groomed runs will be smooth and fast early perhaps becoming firmer in the high traffic areas latter in the day. It will be busy on the hill courtesy of another long weekend holiday. There will be a few stashes left early […]
Nozawa Snow Report 6 January 2017
Steadily improving conditions; another 15cm falls overnight Nozawa Snow Report 6 January 2017: Stats Base at top: 150 cm Temp at Top: -8 Degree Base at Uenotaira station: 105 cm New snow since close: 15 cm Weather: Snow Nozawa Snow Report 6 January 2017: Overview The season is continuing on its upward trend here in Nozawa Onsen. Since last lifts yesterday we have seen snowfalls continue providing an addition 15cm of fresh cover. Excellent riding is to be expected resort wide today with significantly less crowds than there has been (till tomorrows long weekend) and fresh powder in the vicinity of knee deep. It will be hard to pick a poor area to ski today. We expect occasional light flurries […]
Nozawa Snow Report 5 January 2017
Nozawa Snow Report 5 January 2017: Stats Base at top: 140 cm Temp at Top: -7 Degree Base at Uenotaira station: 100 cm New snow since close: 5-10 cm Weather: Snow Nozawa Snow Report 5 January 2017: Overview Snow flurries have continued on and off here tonight in Nozawa Onsen. Its hard to measure the amounts fallen with a strong wind blowing across the mountain. As of 8:40am the resort still hasn’t published their updates but i’d estimate 5-10cm overnight up top. With the strong winds certain lifts including the gondola may be placed on wind hold today and expect extremely cold conditions up on Yamabiko (windchill -20). There will be plenty of windblown fresh powder on offer for those […]