Latest News

Base up top: 370 cm    Temp Top; -6 Degrees Base at bottom; 245 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Overcast   We expect some snowfalls in Nozawa Onsen today but as of 7am they were not as yet on the radar. This is often the case with predicted weather events; they are usually delayed by about 4-6 hours behind forecasted timings. Nevertheless, snow should fall down to about 500m today, possibly around 10-15cm will accumulate. There will be strong winds about the peaks so keep this in mind when dressing for the day, and extra layer certainly wouldn’t hurt. The snow base is pushing up towards the 4m mark, expect it to be cracked by the weeks […]

Base up top: 390 cm    Temp Top; -10 Degrees Base at bottom; 235 cm New Snow since close: 10-20 cm Weather; Some clouds   Today is going to be a good day. After some extremely strong winds and snow last night the intense conditions have eased during the early hours producing a mostly overcast morning with the occasional blue sky patch. Accumulated totals since last lifts have amounted to approximately 10-20cm of windblown snow. We may see possible additions to this throughout the day with the occasional flurry predicted. Avalanche conditions remain extremely hazardous. Yesterday saw a blizzard rage for a large proportion of the day. The skiing and boarding was excellent provided the right spot was selected. One […]

Base up top: 350 cm    Temp Top; -3 Degrees Base at bottom; 220 cm New Snow since close: 5-10 cm Weather; Snow   As expected we awoke this morning to heavy flurries in Nozawa Onsen. With 5-10cm of fresh recorded up top it is clear that the snow probably started around 4-5am. Wind is a factor at the summit with varying amounts collecting at similar elevations, make sure you rug up with an extra layer. Today the best runs will be on the tree lined groomers and low angled trees. With extremely hazardous avalanche conditions yesterday, moderate angle slopes were sliding at the drop of a hat, its best to avoid the steeper slopes today. Safety first. Yesterday was […]

Base up top: 350 cm    Temp Top; -4 Degrees Base at bottom; 210 cm New Snow since close: 10 cm Weather; Partly cloudy   Good skiing will be had today in Nozawa Onsen with the heavy snow that feel late yesterday afternoon. The freezing level was sitting quite high so don’t expect the driest snow around. It will be quite wet and heavy on the lower slopes, but still, fresh snow is fresh snow.. We have some mostly cloudy conditions this morning but expect the clouds to clear throughout the day. Last night the fire festival kicked off down in the village. It was quite a spectacle as usual. There will be more than a few sore heads across […]

Base up top: 340 cm    Temp Top; 0 Degrees Base at bottom; 210 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Overcast   Nozawa Onsen, welcome to the snowiest resort in the world. With the deepest base of any ski resort in the worldwide at this time, Nozawa Onsen has taken the top spot for the second occasion this season, surpassing the usual frontrunners in Hokkaido and the US. It goes without saying, the base depth and snowfall amounts so far this season have simply been remarkable, already running above the average peak depth. In other news today the much anticipated fire festival is a go for tonight. The village has really swelled with Japanese and foreign tourists in […]

Base up top: 360 cm    Temp Top; -6 Degrees Base at bottom; 220 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm Weather; Clear   Today is the day that we all expected yesterday. A clear full blue sky in combination with the occasional streaky high and astoundingly photogenic cirrus cloud. The views from the top this morning had to be seen to be believed with every mountain in the surrounding 100km revealed in startling detail. Chutes, spines and open powder fields of the soaring Japanese Alps that would take days to reach were just in grasp for the pleasure of mind skiing. Oh, and the skiing was pretty good too. Stubborn clouds remain most of the day yesterday cloaking the […]

Base up top: 370 cm    Temp Top; -7 Degrees Base at bottom; 235 cm New Snow since close: 30 cm Weather; Overcast   We were expecting a full bluebird this morning but it looks like the skies haven’t quite cleared just yet. Mostly overcast conditions with the occasional flurry still persist. We should see these clouds to move on at some point later today. Expect the skiing and boarding to be as good as it gets in Nozawa Onsen with deep dry powder blanketing all areas of the resort. The groomers will be soft and silky smooth.  For powder enthusiasts skiing in the trees will enable you to obtain no shortage of face shots. Yesterday was also just about […]

Base up top: 360 cm    Temp Top; -9 Degrees Base at bottom; 225 cm New Snow since close: 45 cm Weather; Snow   As predicted the snow really came down hard and fast last night with no less than 45cm falling at the top of the gondola, 30cm down in the village. Indicating the strength and instability of this system, a thunderstorm passed over the village this morning. Very rare indeed for the winter season in Japan. Snow is still coming down hard as of 9am so there is sure to be some significant totals by the afternoon and great riding in the improved depth perception of the trees. Very cold temperatures have swept across the resort so make […]

Base up top: 325 cm    Temp Top; -8 Degrees Base at bottom; 190 cm New Snow since close: 5 cm Weather; Overcast   More of the same in Nozawa Onsen as conditions are really similar to yesterday. Its a mostly overcast sky with clearer visibility at the bottom than the top. We have had some snow fall overnight with 5cm recorded at the top and 1-2cm at village level. With a Japanese long weekend it will be markedly busier on the hill, something which took us all by surprise yesterday. A festive air was experienced in the village last night with traffic control shutting off the main street to cars for everyone to take part in a giant game […]