Dropping out of the trees.

Base up top: 420 cm    Temp Top; -12 Degrees

Base at bottom; 260 cm

New Snow since close: 10-15 cm

Weather; Snow

Whilst it has dumped overnight with 10-15cm recorded up top, the totals have been somewhat underwhelming in comparison to the half meter that was expected. Its possible and even commonplace this season that the frontal system will arrive to the region slightly later than predicted, usually between 6-12 hours behind the suggested timings. Therefore more likely than not it will snow hard today, greater than expected, as the weather moves over the region.

Nevertheless, 10-15cm is not to be scoffed at and there is sure to be some outstanding skiing and boarding on the hill today. Temperatures are the coldest of the season, around 4C colder than normal, so make sure an extra layer or two is being worn when heading up today.

According to the forecast snow should continue for the remainder of today before increasing to heavy amounts once again overnight. Conditions will then clear late tomorrow with a bluebird morning expected on Wednesday. Following that more snow is forecast for Thursday and then another strong front is predicted in the long range forecast for next weekend.

Having fun in Nozawa Onsen.

Base up top: 410 cm    Temp Top; -3 Degrees

Base at bottom; 260 cm

New Snow since close: 0 cm

Weather; Overcast

The prefrontal warmth has hit Nozawa Onsen this morning. High cloud and southerly winds are marking the inflow of an approaching front and its a strong one. The forecast has not backed off regarding predicted amounts so we should see huge snowfall totals overnight tonight. For the remainder of today expect high clouds, some wind and a freezing level of around one thousand meters, which will drop during the afternoon. There will be good skiing and boarding on groomed pistes and up top however the lower trees will retain variable snow that is affected by the warm air. Its a good day to wax the powder skis or board, test the beacons and prepare for the epic week ahead.

Yesterday we had a beautiful bluebird day and as long as you could escape the weekend crowds the snow was very nice indeed. Off to the west the Sea of Japan was almost visible and the surrounding peaks revealed startling detail. A perfect reconnaissance for backcountry touring adventures!

As alluded to earlier we are still in for a perfect week of snow according to current predictions. Kicking things off, around half a meter is expected tonight. Another half meter for tomorrow night as well. It will be good. Light snow for the rest of the week combined with breaks of sunshine, most frequent on Wednesday morning. Another bout of heavy falls is then forecast for Thursday. Cold temperatures throughout.

Night sessions.

Base up top: 430 cm    Temp Top; -8 Degrees

Base at bottom; 260 cm

New Snow since close: 0 cm

Weather; Clear

Its a clear one in Nozawa Onsen this morning and is set to remain that way most of the day in combination with cold temperatures and light winds. The full moon put on quite a show this morning as it set behind the sunrise lit peaks. With plenty of fresh tracks left from yesterday its going to be a great day on the hill, the only downside being potential lines from weekend crowds.

Yesterday we had fresh snow fall for much of the day. It was a little wet and heavy at first, however as it became colder during the day the snow quality subsequently improved. With light crowds and winds reloading slopes whilst the lift runs around were made, it was easy to find untracked powder fields right up to last lifts.

A spectacular forecast continues to tease us for the week ahead with big numbers across the board. It will all kick off tomorrow with light snow flurries that will intensify overnight with a north west wind shift. Very heavy snow and very cold temperatures are predicted. We are talking -15C with 50cm. Quality will be as good as it gets on Monday its safe to say. Another strong front is then forecast for Monday night delivering similar totals. Moderate to heavy falls are then predicted for most of the week.

Urban features.

Base up top: 425 cm    Temp Top; -6 Degrees

Base at bottom; 260 cm

New Snow since close: 15-20 cm

Weather; Light snow

Snow has returned for the day here in Nozawa Onsen. After clear skies early last night it looked as if not much would fall. However sure enough we woke to a coverage of 15-20cm of fresh on the upper areas of the mountain and 10cm at village level. Clouds are covering the mountain still, it looks like these falls will continue today. Good times await.

Yesterday we had a beautiful sunny spring like day. Many people were stoked to get some sunshine after such and extended period of snow and very cold weather. The snow started out firm and fast with a cold morning. During the day a very slight southerly breeze blew in some warmer air and combining with the winter sun of Honshu the snow became somewhat slushy and forgiving. Really, it was a great day to be cruising about the mountain at a relaxed pace. For the real adventurous there was still more than few fresh tracks to be had in isolated shaded gullies.

A tasty looking forecast awaits us for the next week or so. Snowfalls will clear later today and tomorrow should be mostly sunny with increasing clouds during the afternoon, the buildup to what will be a huge dump. Its looking as if around 50-100cm of snow will fall from Sunday night till Tuesday morning so there will be some powder about. Temperatures will be some of the coldest all season with a freezing level well below sea level. Light to moderate snowfalls are then set to continue for most of next week.

Dropping out of the sky.

Base up top: 425 cm    Temp Top; -9 Degrees

Base at bottom; 270 cm

New Snow since close: 0 cm

Weather; Clear

Its a picturesque clear blue morning in Nozawa Onsen with a beautiful pink alpinglow on surrounding peaks. Today will be a day definitely worthy of bringing the camera up the hill. Although the snow became heavier yesterday with the sunshine and increased temperatures, very cold overnight will have sucked a proportion of the moisture out of the snow improving the quality. Groomed pistes will have that silky finish whilst the trees still have the occasional patch of untracked fresh.

The forecast is stacked with positivity at the moment. First up, more snow is expected to fall tonight, around 10-15cm before another clear day is predicted for Saturday. Following this another extended run of very cold temperatures and snowfall will occur commencing Sunday. At this stage the heaviest falls will occur on Sunday and Monday night while totals could be very similar to the most recent dump which delivered 1.5m of fresh to Nozawa Onsen.

Incoming bluebird.

Base up top: 430 cm    Temp Top; -9 Degrees

Base at bottom; 280 cm

New Snow since close: 5-10 cm

Weather; Fog

Seems like the first morning in about a week where we haven’t had more than 30cm of overnight falls. Not to scoff at the 5-10cm we received overnight tonight. Like every day this week the conditions will be impeccable with a fresh coating of light dry pow mostly covering tracks from previous days. Trees will be great, groomed runs will be great, everywhere will be great! Its forecast to clear this morning so we could be in for a bluebird stunner.

What more could be said than how yesterday continued on the trend of epic days. The snow was deep, the lift lines were short and it continued to snow lightly for most of the day. Most tree areas were bombed very quickly as there seems to be an inordinate number of powder enthusiasts about the village at the moment. Easy to understand considering Nozawa Onsen is having one of the best seasons worldwide this year.

Looking at the forecast ahead the run of exceptional snow conditions is earmarked to continue. A break in heavy snowfalls is suggested for the rest of this week but with cold temperatures enduring and a light top up on Friday the snowpack won’t degrade. Another strong system is predicted commencing on Sunday and persisting well into next week with heavy snowfalls throughout. It looks like we may be having another meter and a half dump!

Late night powder hunting.

Base up top: 440 cm    Temp Top; -9 Degrees

Base at bottom; 285 cm

New Snow since close: 15 cm

Weather; Light snow

We still have some light snow falling in the village of Nozawa Onsen. Conditions are as good as it gets with deep fresh powder absolutely everywhere. It will be hard to find a bad spot to ski in bounds today. The groomed runs will be soft and forgiving and the trees will be loaded with neck deep japow, all the good stuff! But be careful when venturing out today. Two groups went missing yesterday taking a wrong turn and becoming trapped in the deep powder, they have since been found. Best to avoid out of bounds areas today even with equipment and of course never ever ride alone.

Yesterday was amazing. It was hard to top the snow conditions from Sunday, however the lower crowds and full speed gondola made sure of the day being even better. Everyone was frothing so much so that many areas were smashed far quicker than normal.

According to the forecast for today snowfalls should continue, gradually becoming isolated with breaks of clear sky. Tomorrow is predicted to be partly cloudy whilst Thursday will be clear. Further snowfalls are predicted for Friday with variable clear/snow conditions following.

Deep.

Base up top: 450 cm    Temp Top; -10 Degrees

Base at bottom; 280 cm

New Snow since close: 30-40 cm

Weather; Snow

Ridiculous. That was what yesterday was like. The depth of the snow was real up there, probably the third deepest day of the season. Wind loaded slopes were around chest to neck, all other slopes around waist. If you weren’t on your game you paid the price with many frustrating entrapments but if you kept the rhythm going the reward was some of the best powder turns on the planet.

Snow continued to fall all day yesterday becoming lighter overnight. Since last lifts yesterday an additional 30-40cm has fallen bringing the storm total to 120cm in 48 hours. Skiing and boarding today will again be epic with the overnight falls refreshing tracked areas. The snow has also had time to settle making the deep snow even more manageable and hopefully improving the stability, which was extremely low yesterday.

The forecast indicates snow will continue at light to moderate levels for the rest of the day becoming isolated and less frequent tomorrow. Isolated falls will then continue in combination with light winds and occasional breaks of sunshine from Wednesday to Friday. Saturday is forecast to be clear at this stage but confidence on these long range predictions is low.

Jerry smashes some powder.

Base up top: 430 cm    Temp Top; -10 Degrees

Base at bottom; 260 cm

New Snow since close: 45 cm

Weather; Snow

Its on!! 45cm of ultra dry blower pow has descended overnight. Conditions will be exceptional and that icy base layer with cookies will be mostly buried out of sight but not out of mind. Avalanche danger will be very high. Get out there and enjoy, but be safe.

Yesterday saw a blizzard rage for most of the day. Strong winds meant the gondola was running very slow and blowing snow with cloud severely reduced line of sight and definition in open areas. But the lower trees and pistes were very fun indeed with knee to waist deep blown snow.

Moderate snowfalls should continue for the remainder of today, becoming light tomorrow and receding to isolated falls by Tuesday. Some sunshine is a possibility for Wednesday but snow is set to return in the second half of the week with around three distinct dumps on the horizon.

Villa Nozawa manager Gab tests the knees by dropping into the flats with style.

Base up top: 380 cm    Temp Top; -7 Degrees

Base at bottom; 220 cm

New Snow since close: 15-20 cm

Weather; Wind and snow

The snow is here! It has picked up overnight and we have 15cm of fresh sitting at the summit, 20cm on the more protected upper slopes. A higher amount at lower elevations is a key indicator for wind and a quick glance outside confirms there is some fast moving air about the mountain today. Hopefully the gondolas get up and running without issue although likely at a reduced speed. Looks for some sweet wind features from loaded fresh but be aware of the icy base and death cookies lingering underneath. Stability is low as of this regard.

Yesterday was decent on the groomed runs however most people were antsy for some fresh japow. Light but moist snow fell for most of the day adding to the base and visibility was okay given the cloudy skies.

Looks like the snow will increase later today becoming heavier overnight. A slight wind shift from WNW to NW is predicted and required for optimum snowfalls in Nozawa Onsen. Around 30cm should be expected overnight when this occurs. Its disappointing how much this weather system has downgraded over the past few days however thats weather for you, always chopping and changing for better or worse. Snowfalls should ease by Monday, becoming clear on Tuesday.