Nozawa Onsen Accommodation, Nagano, The Alps Japan
Nestled in the Japan Alps is a magical place steeped in culture and with some terrific skiing and boarding. Nagano was home to the Winter Olympics in 1998.
Get in touch if keen to get knee deep in powder or neck deep in a Hot Spring soon…
Video
Check out our video of our 4 main properties below.
Nozawa Onsen is a very traditional town with beautiful hot springs, friendly locals, and awesome snow. Our Lodge gives you amazing value and we have a range of accommodation to suit any budget.
The Lodge is only 100m to the slopes and short stroll to town
Relaxed and comfortable atmosphere
In the centre of Japan’s main Island Honshu easy access from anywhere
You can fly direct to Tokyo and there is a shuttle bus direct to the Lodge
English and Japanese Speaking Staff to help with all your needs
Unique and beautiful place with breathtaking nature and culture
Nozawa Village is also famous for its hot springs, there are many nearby
Lots of terrain, with Gondolas, high speed quads, and long runs – very few lift lines
Thanks Mark – we were first invited to Nozawa years ago and have been enjoyed the skiing, the village and your hospitality ever since. Thanks for helping us enjoy it so much,
Pavel making the most out of the remaining powder yesterday.
Base up top: 290 cm Temp Top; -6 Degrees
Base at bottom; 140 cm
New Snow since close: 20-25 cm
Weather; Heavy snow
Heavy flakes are falling in the village of Nozawa Onsen this morning. It was predicted yesterday that today would produce the biggest dump of snow in 24 hours that we have seen in two years. Overnight the forecast has backed off on precipitation rates ever so slightly, but we are still expecting probably the biggest dump so far this season over the next 24 hours.
Temperatures are warmer than normal for snowfalls of this magnitude in Japan, with a freezing level of around 400m (normal is freezing level below sea level), and so the snow will be heavier than what is usual. But one thing is sure, the powder will be deep, very deep. It is recommended not to venture out into the backcountry even with avalanche equipment for the next 24 hours at least
For skiing and boarding this morning, hit up the Yamabiko trees for some fun sliding action. Later in the day this areas may become too deep to ride and maintain speed. When this happens, head to the skyline blacks or the challenge area for your fix of powder. Extra waterproofed clothing is recommended for today before the freezing level drops later tonight.
For those moving from Tokyo to the resort and back, be aware that as of earlier this morning trains are not running (including the bullet train) and many of the roads are shut due to heavy snowfalls across all of Japan. Hopefully they will re-open soon.
Yesterday was better than expected. Light snowfalls continued for most of the day, increasing later in the afternoon. Some unridden top to bottom powder was found in the less exposed areas of the resort. More frequented areas such as the Yamabiko trees were mostly tracked but were still fun. Groomed runs were soft and forgiving as was the park but became a little slow with the snowfalls during the day.
According to the weather models, snowfalls should hit there peak intensity overnight tonight. The air is heavy with anticipation as to exactly how much will fall but at least half a meter overnight on top of what falls today is likely. Tomorrow snowfalls should ease to light snow showers, contracting to isolated falls. later in the day. On Monday another front will move over the region delivering light to moderate snow before clearing again for Tuesday. At this time another strong system is predicted for Wednesday. There is sure to be a lot of snow falling in the next week ahead.
Bombing low pressure system developing over central Japan. Responisble for the dump today and disruption in the East of the country.
Some light flurries about the village today in Nozawa Onsen. Since the close of lifts yesterday we have received just a dusting; 3cm up top and a centimetre in the village. Conditions will be very similar to what we had two days ago regarding the snow conditions. Head to the Yamabiko trees for some fresh lines and the groomed runs will be very fast with a firm base. The big 90m ski jump was in use yesterday so take a look there today to witness some high flying action.
We have some exciting news, the mid range forecast has received a solid upgrade overnight. Based on the current predictions, heavy snow is a looking possible for overnight Saturday into Sunday. With a long lead up of snowfalls, commencing tomorrow, its probable that we will have some deep powder to ride over the weekend. Temperatures are also predicted to be much lower than initially thought with a freezing level of around 500m, dropping even lower on Sunday and Monday and with light snow persisting. In the long range forecast further snowfalls are possible mid way through next week.
A mostly cloudy morning in Nozawa Onsen today. With no significant fresh snowfalls in a few days the groomed runs will be the top pick. It will also be a good day for the park and pipe with softer more forgiving conditions and enthusiasm from last nights olympic events.
Yesterday was quite similar to today, although it was busier with the long weekend crowds. Most off piste areas became tracked fast however with a bit of searching and local knowledge it was still possible to find top to bottom untracked lines. Groomers were fast, perfect for laying down some long flowing carves.
There is the possibility for some light isolated snow showers overnight tonight into tomorrow. An unusual system is forecast to move over the region at the weekend. With a wind direction that will vary from the norm it is uncertain how much snow will fall but we should expect at least some. Temperatures will be warmer than the traditional NW winter fronts as well.
Base up top: 285 cm Temp Top; -11 Degrees
Base at bottom; 145 cm
New Snow since close: 3 cm
Weather; Mostly sunny
A fine sunny morning in Nozawa Onsen. Today we were greeted with an always spectacular alpenglow on the surrounding mountains at sunrise and the occasional puffy cumulus hovering above the peaks. It is set to be a mostly sunny day today with the possibility of very isolated snow showers later in the afternoon.
With the dusting which we received overnight groomed runs will be in tip top condition ready for some olympic enthused high speed carves, yew! The lesser know tree runs will be the place to be for some off piste action, considering today is Japan’s National Foundation Day, a public holiday celebrating the foundation of Japan. It will be busy on the slopes for this reason.
The forecast is currently suggesting that we should expect a mix of clear weather and snowfalls over the next week. Tomorrow should be clear and snow is expected tomorrow night and over the next weekend.
One of the great things about Nozawa Onsen is how close knit the community is in the village, for both visitors, locals and seasonal staff. This was evident last night in the way the community rallied around, via a fundraising event, injured shredder Judita Prokopova, who received very serious pelvic injuries after a freak stack whilst boarding just last week. Thousands so far has been raised to cover exorbitant hospital bills (her insurance was not valid due to a sneaky loophole in the clause) which she would have otherwise have had much difficulty paying. If you would like to donate to the cause please following this link, every little bit counts.
Even the trees have their fair share of accumulation.
Base up top: 290 cm Temp Top; -9 Degrees
Base at bottom; 155 cm
New Snow since close: 10-15 cm
Weather; Partly cloudy
We have a cool partly cloudy morning in Nozawa Onsen this morning. Some low level clouds are passing up and over the mountain ridges and with a mostly clear blue sky above it is a mesmerising sight. Skiing and boarding will be good throughout today with another top up of fresh powder overnight. We received 10cm at Yamabiko and 15cm mid mountain indicating wind blown conditions at the peak. There will be sure to be some knee deep stashes amongst the trees, with the top half being the pick for fresh lines. The freshly groomed pistes are also in fine condition.
Yesterday was very similar to what we have today. Snowfalls intensified later in the day adding to the cover and producing some nice lines across the mountain. All the well known spots were hit hard and fast but the secret spots delivered fresh lines all day long. Definitely a day where it paid to have some knowledge of the mountain.
For the rest of today we should experienced continued snowfalls, becoming isolated later and then clearing overnight. Tomorrow should be clear, full bluebird as will most of Wednesday. Isolated snow showers should occur on Wednesday night before a stronger system moves over the region Friday/Saturday.
