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Base up top: 390 cm    Temp Top; +6 Degrees Base at bottom; 185 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Clear   Its another spring stunner here in Nozawa Onsen this morning. Only a light breeze with the stock standard brilliant spring sunshine and piercing high peaks of the Japan Alps in clear view around the resort. Good stuff. Again today we will have some spring snow conditions with the best riding to be had during the morning facilitated by faster snow conditions. The past few days things really slowed down by afternoon with a warm atmosphere creating sticky snow and its expected to be the case again today. Tomorrow we should see a brief dive in the […]

We may still have nearly 400cm of snow up top at Yamabiko but the calendar is telling us it is now time for spring skiing. The beautiful weather today is confirming this! From today most of the lower lifts will cease operation for the season. A big otsukaresama and well done to all the fine lifties, ski patrol and resort staff that have worked hard to clear the seats and provide all with safe passage this season so far. Thank you From today the following lifts are running – Nagasaka Gondola – Number 1 – Yamabiko Number 2 Four lift – Number 4 – Yamabiko Four Lift – Number 3 These 3 will run all season until May 6th -Uenotaira […]

Base up top: 405 cm Temp Top; +1 Degrees Base at bottom; 185 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Clear   The rain that moved over the region yesterday afternoon and last night appears to have eased as quickly as it came, on to be replaced by a bright sunny day with no clouds in sight. Therefore it will again be a nice spring day on the mountain with fast but slushy snow. Groomed runs are the pick while the rain will have smoothed out off piste areas. With the weekend crowds back in Tokyo the whole village and mountain is exceptionally quiet. Almost a private resort! According to the forecast we are in for a few more […]

Base up top: 415 cm    Temp Top; +4 Degrees Base at bottom; 190 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Partly cloudy   Today we pretty much have carbon copy of yesterday with typical spring snow that is firm and fast in the morning, grading slushier and slower by the afternoon. Hence, the best riding will be had on groomed runs during the morning. If the high clouds streaming over the resort at the moment are any indication than the light rain showers forecast for this afternoon are on approach. Yesterday the snow held up very well given the warm temperatures. It was beautifully silky smooth and fast in the morning with just a slight hint of softness. […]

Base up top: 420 cm    Temp Top; +2 Degrees Base at bottom; 200 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Partly cloudy   We have a pretty similar day expected today in comparison with yesterday. The only variation today that there is the possibility of some high clouds moving over during the afternoon. The snow will start out fast this morning, becoming slushier and slow during the afternoon making  it a good day for some cruising on the groomed runs or making park laps. Considering its the weekend, crowd levels will be slightly higher than what we have had so far this week. Looking at the forecast some light rain showers are possible tomorrow with the potential for […]

Base up top: 430 cm    Temp Top; -2 Degrees Base at bottom; 210 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Clear   A fine and clear day awaits those ready to ascend the hill this morning. Light winds, light crowds and there is still some good snow at the top. Today will be better earlier with temperatures forecast to quickly warm with the snow becoming slushy by around lunch time. Pack the sunscreen! Yesterday sensational conditions were found in the mountain resort of Nozawa Onsen. Cold temperatures persisted for longer than was originally forecast and as a result the powder from the previous days dump remain excellent in quality, especially on northern aspects. A perfect bluebird sky was […]

Base up top: 440 cm    Temp Top; -7 Degrees Base at bottom; 220 cm New Snow since close: 5 cm Weather; Clear   We have awoken to a staggeringly beautiful morning. A brilliant warm alpenglow is shinning on the surrounding peaks while a clear blue sky looks down from above. With deep fresh powder and cold temperatures you could be forgiven for thinking it is still in mid winter, but of course it is late March. We are very lucky to have such conditions, especially considering how much of the northern hemisphere is suffering through a lacklustre snow season. Japan always delivers and today will be as good as it gets! Yesterday we had heavy snow fall most of […]

Base up top: 440 cm    Temp Top; -7 Degrees Base at bottom; 195 cm New Snow since close: 30 cm Weather; Snow   30 cm of spring powder, tick. No one of the mountain, tick. The fact that today will be epic, guaranteed. Heavy but isolated snow showers have continued overnight adding no less than 20 cm of the fresh good stuff down in the village and a windblown 30 cm towards the summit of Nozawa Onsen. Break out the fat skis and powder boards once more its clear that spring just isn’t quite here.. Yesterday we had some sketchy conditions earlier in the day with a prominent uneven ice layer making itself known to those passing overhead. However […]

Base up top: 390 cm    Temp Top; -8 Degrees Base at bottom; 195 cm New Snow since close: 5 cm Weather; Snow   Looks like we have some big flakes falling from the sky in Nozawa Onsen this morning. With temperatures slightly less than an average mid winter day and strong gusting winds it will be a cold day up on the mountain but the rewards of rapidly accumulating powder pockets will be great. With almost a complete lack of powder hounds in the village at the moment you can be sure that tracked out areas will be few and far between. A brief look at the forecast gives indicating towards steadily strengthening snowfalls today with high overnight accumulations […]

Base up top: 385 cm    Temp Top; +1 Degrees Base at bottom; 200 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Clear   A repetitive spring pattern has established itself over the past few days across the island of Honshu. Today we have pretty much a carbon copy of yesterday with an light overnight freeze that will soften in the morning in the warming sun, becoming slushy by the afternoon. Expect pretty epic groomers today based on what we had yesterday. Spring corn snow is beginning to form off piste. By later this afternoon a change will move through from the north west delivering cold temperatures and moderate snowfalls overnight into tomorrow. This extended period of cold weather with […]