Rentals Lessons Lifts Nozawa Take of two mountains in Nozawa What a rippa of a day it was yesterday! Rippa is a Japanese word which means the same as the English equivalent a ripper of a day. Always nice to get a cold blast in late March and the little top up of snow was much appreciated. In Spring I often ski without gloves but yesterday I wish I had have worn them as the temps stayed nice and cold keeping the piste fresh. The top was great and spent most of the day up at Yamabiko. As expected it got slushy and a bit sparse in places on the lower slopes but still able to ski top to bottom […]
Holiday Nozawa Onsen Japan
Every Season Different Nozawa
Every Season Different Nozawa 2014 March Vs Now These two photos taken at Uenotaira the top station of the Hikage Gondola 9 years apart almost to the day. The first one was 22nd of March 2014 the other just a few days ago. On that day in 2014 we had a base of 385cm and got a 40cm dump overnight. Every season plays out differently. If missing these scenes and have not booked for next season now is the time. Head to the site for a quote; https://www.nozawaholidays.com/bookings/ Link in Bio Yesterday we had our warmest day this winter with the village over 20 degrees. It was super slushy up on the slopes but still fun when I did a […]
Ski Cherry Blossoms Japan
Ski Cherry Blossoms Japan Spring Equinox Day in Japan Today is a public holiday to celebrate the shift to spring and the name given to the day where daytime and night-time are the same length. This comes about from the sun rising exactly in the east and setting exactly in the west. It is also peak time for Sakura or Cherry Blossoms in the countries capital Tokyo. Pretty amazing spectacle to see and appreciate the fleeting beauty of this symbolic flower. Another great reason to visit Japan in Spring as can ski and enjoy the Cherry Blossoms in one trip. If looking to come up next year January is filling pretty quick so if you are not a powder hound […]
Spring Skiing Fun Japan
Spring Skiing Fun Japan You could have been here yesterday… What a magic March day it was yesterday on the slopes in Nozawa. The 15 plus centimetres we received the day before, sunshine and cool temps up high making all the difference. One of the gang that have been here for a while said was his best day all season. Perfect on the piste and some fun in the bit of powder amongst the trees. Plenty of people about for the quasi long weekend and a great vibe on the slopes and at the restaurants. Demo day on as well so lots of cool new gear gliding down the mountain. The sun coming out now for what looks like another […]
Best Ski March Japan
Best Ski March Japan Bluebird Sunday in Nozawa Onsen The sun is just starting to peak over Mt Kenashi this morning and it is shaping up to be a picture perfect day in Nozawa Onsen. We ended up getting 15cm of fresh snow through the day up top at Yamabiko. Given the time of the year it was not the dry powder we are used to but a nice top up all the same. Feast your eyes on the web cams up top this morning with beautiful blue skies and the trees glistening in the white gold. https://nozawa-onsen.com/nozawa-webcams/ Big night in town last night with the streets buzzing under the festival, race rewards and busy weekend. Not many overseas guests […]
Spring Ski Trip Japan
Spring Ski Trip Japan Blue Sky mining in Nozawa So we are past the first two weeks of March and most years that means we are definitely in Spring mode and yesterday didn’t disappoint with a perfect sunny spring day on the slopes in Nozawa. Spring Ski Trip Japan The snow was fast and fun under foot, the views fantastic, light winds and lots of happy smiley faces sliding down the hill. Still top to bottom skiing and life moves at a slower pace up on the hill and in town. There was also a bit of live music happening across both to yesterday and was perfect to bask in the sun and enjoy. Today the sun was out early […]
SNOW MONKEYS NOZAWA ONSEN
SNOW MONKEYS NOZAWA ONSEN Rise and shine shredders Another beautiful day in Nozawa Onsen after some March Magic on the slopes yesterday with the little tops up of fresh snow. The sun is shining and the slopes have been freshly groomed, with light winds and no crowds it is looking like a beauty. With all this sun and spring like warm weather, the slopes have been fast and fun, perfect for practicing your turns and hitting the park. Today we are in for clear skies and glorious sunshine. Temperatures are cool this morning sitting at 0 degrees in town but will warm up as the sun hits the mountains with a max of 5 degrees on top of the mountain […]
SNOGA RETREAT NOZAWA ONSEN
SNOGA RETREAT NOZAWA ONSEN Here comes the Sun… Cloud cover is still lingering this morning from yesterdays snow/rain. But it is expected to clear throughout the day. A light dusting up the top with a total of about 5cm that fell yesterday. The trees are doing their Nozawa thing, looking beautiful and snow covered up on the mountain. Hit the groomers as they will be the best pick for today. With colder temperatures last night and today there won’t be so much spring slush but carving will be the go under these favourable conditions. Winds are light and variable blowing in from the NW hence the colder temperatures, at around -4 degrees and the wind chill is sitting relative for […]
MARCH SNOW FALL NOZAWA
MARCH SNOW FALL NOZAWA Mid March Snow Fall? As was forecast we are waking up to a change in the weather this morning for Nozawa Onsen. After what feels like weeks of sunshine the clouds have incased the village and surrounding mountains. Currently raining but the charts are showing a dramatic wind shift from the North later today and with it some much awaited snow. After yesterdays sunny weather on the mountain, it’s time to put the T-shirt’s away and grab the thermals once again. Temperatures will hit the negatives today and wind chill is further pushing the temp to -10 up top. Winds are light and variable for most of the day from the S swinging to the NW […]
MARCH BASE UPDATE NOZAWA
MARCH BASE UPDATE NOZAWA It’s all about the base At this time of the year it is all about the base and we still have a solid one just sitting at 2.5 Meters up top at Yamabiko. This opening shot just 2 days ago. All these sunny spring days naturally chip away at it but the winds have been light so there isn’t that hair dryer affect that can melt it fast. Looks like tomorrow we will see a nice dip in temps and a bit of a snow top up too and we are hoping for another few light top ups throughout March. So the big question is when will the Ski Season run until? Most years we make […]