Nozawa Onsen 15th of November 2011 first nice cover of snow

Many Alpine regions in Japan woke up to a blanket of snow this morning and Nozawa Onsen was no different with snow down to about half way covering Uenotaira .

First good covering of the year and looks like more to come over the next day or two. Then will warm up over the weekend a bit before the next system is forecast to come in nice and cold on Monday next week. Temps are set to drop to -7 degrees with freezing point dropping to Village level at about 500m above sea level.

Up top they are predicting heavy snowfall so will be interesting to see if that eventuates. In the past the resort has opened on November 21^st if there was enough snow. The powers to be have assured me they will be opening on December 3^rd but if this gives us a decent covering who knows.

Anyway looks like Winter is here and wont be long until we are strapping on the planks and pulling out the shovels for a great season ahead.

If you have not already booked better get in as things are really filling. If it is a good season which it is looking like it could be then March is going to be awesome with very few crowds and great snow check out our Live the Dream package for just 4000 Yen or $50 a day for Accommodation, Breakfast and Lift Pass if stay 30 days over March or April. Have quite a crew joining us for what promises to be an amazing month in Nozawa Onsen on both the snow and fun fronts. Check out the deals here

https://www.lodgenagano.com/accommodation/deals/

Snow Happens in Nozawa Onsen it is just beginning but lots more to come

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Nozawa Onsen in Autumn, Red Blue and White by Shigeru Miyazaki

With just one month to go until the resort is set to open here in Nozawa Onsen on December 3^rd, there is a cool feeling of excitement in the air.

The autumn leaves or Kouyo are in full blaze, and there are some beautiful colors sprawled out across the slopes

The staff as usual are out in the fields preparing the runs, cutting grass and trees to make way for mountains of snow which are hopefully just around the corner.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has put out their forecast and it is looking pretty promising with average temperature and precipitation in December and below average temps in January.

At the moment it is still fairly warm in town but temps are set to drop next week and get down to -5 degrees up top of Mt Kenashi. Anyway still early days.

The Nozawa Onsen Photo contest is on again and will be chosen at the end of November so if have any good shots of Nozawa be sure to send them in. Can enter here http://www.nozawaphoto.com/

If struggle with the language can post here and will be sent on or can do both

http://www.facebook.com/nozawaonsenjapan

Some great prizes to be won including Lift Passes and accommodation plus the prestige of your photo being displayed around the village

Anyway probably getting close to time to pull out the boards and start waxing if nothing else will get you thinking of the winter wonderland ahead…

Lift Lines Yamabiko Nozawa Onsen by Jodi Trevor

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Feel the heat in a Foot Spa in Nozawa Onsen

See yourself in a Foot Onsen in Nozawa Onsen this coming Season?
Just over 1 month to go until the lifts are set to roll on December 3rd with Mother Natures Blessing

Dont forget we are giving away Free Nights in Nozawa Onsen at Lodge Nagano or Villa Nozawa
To have a chance to win just need to be a friend to us on Facebook or sign up for our news letter http://www.nozawaholidays.com/
http://www.facebook.com/nozawaonsenjapan
To thank everyone for joining us we will be giving away a few prizes leading up to the season. We plan to draw this in the next few days so get your friends on to it too, then if they win maybe they will take you!

Three Free Nights in Nozawa
3 Nights Stay at Lodge Nagano for 2 People
Healthy Breakfast Included Daily
Use of all the Village Hot Springs
Valued at 30,000 Yen

If you have already booked no problem we will take the prize amount off your booking. All prizes are subject to availability

The Ski Season in Japan is literally just around the corner so get on the web sites or shoot us an email to stay@nozawaholidays.com if keen to come up
We look forward to seeing you soon

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Nozawa Onsen Magic above the clouds

With less than 2 months to go until the Snow season starts in Nozawa Onsen we are getting pretty excited. The resort has announced that it will open the Lifts from December 3rd snow permitting. In the past it has been November 21st so there is a chance it could be even earlier. But after 20 Seasons in Nozawa would say that around December 10th onwards is a safe bet if hoping to ski.

We have already had our first dusting though so the signs are positive. After a pretty warm Summer as always in Nozawa Onsen it looks like Autumn has taken a firm grasp on the mountains.

With temperatures really cooling in the past weeks, we have already seen our first dusting of snow on the top at Yamabiko. This was confirmed with some splashes of white coating the peak of Mt Myoko as well. Just some slushy white stuff but great to see.

The elders in the Village often say when we have a hot summer means we can expect a cold winter and and early start to the season so fingers crossed. Ourselves and other local businesses have been worried that it may be a quieter season this year, but popular times are starting to fill up already which is encouraging and if you have not already booked would do so soon.

There has been a buzz around the resort with some exciting things happening for the coming season. The top station of the Nagasaka Gondola is undergoing a full renovation which will see a great new restaurant and cafe opening in December. The Gondola has already been in full swing over Summer bringing hikers and Mountain Bikers up to the top to enjoy the green season.

Another blast from the past will see the revitalization of the famous Kurhaus. A luxury onsen and spa retreat in the centre of town. In its heyday this was the place to go at the end of a day on the slopes.  It had since become a bit neglected but this season it is to be restored to its former glory days.

Nozawa Onsen and everyone here is doing well, the rice has just been harvested, the temperatures are cooling and spirits are high, we are ready and look forward to welcoming you all back for another amazing ski season in Nozawa.

We have just launched our new website show casing all 4 of our unique properties with something to suit everyone and every budget please check it out: Ski Japan

Thanks to Jan and Manu from Switzerland for these great photos.

The Yamabiko Ski Centre in for a full make over

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