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,
Responsible and self sufficient exploring for all powder enthusiasts involves; knowing where your going with maps and route finding, never going alone and having the equipment and knowledge neccesarry for avoiding avalanches and facilitating self rescue. This has been something completely absent from a number of skiers and boarders this season blindly chasing powder and ski patrol have made several unnecessary rescues.
Base up top: 470 cm Temp Top; -5 Degrees
Base at bottom; 260 cm
New Snow since close: 30-35 cm
Weather; Snow
Looks like it has dumped hard overnight. Around the time of last lifts yesterday we saw flakes begin to fall. They were some of the biggest and thickest flakes of the season for about half an hour, accumulation was quick. Since last lifts yesterday 30-35cm has fallen up top and subsequently today the mountain will be completely refreshed from top to bottom. The riding will be excellent in the designated off piste areas and groomed runs will have a nice soft covering.
Yesterday was surprisingly good. With 10cm of fresh that was better in quality than expected there were more than a few fresh turns were had. To top it all off unexpected blue skies lasted almost all day. Nice.
According to the forecast this may be some of the last fresh snow we will have in about a week so make the most of it while it lasts. Tomorrow is supposed to be clear with light winds but by Sunday a dramatic warming trend with rain is predicted. Things will cool off again mid next week with some snowfalls on the cards.
Its another cloudy morning in Nozawa Onsen, except today is different. We have white trees on the hill and this only means one thing, fresh snow has fallen. Although only a dusting in the village, there will have been much more fall up high. Visibility below 1600m is good, wind is light. It will be a good day on the hill.
Yesterday the freezing level was very touch and go with frequent transition between snow and rain down here in the village. Combined with high humidity the snow was quite wet and only at the top elevation was the marked beginning of a gradual transition to dryness. Nevertheless the skiing was great as the snow retained a good speed underfoot.
There is potential for a big dump overnight tonight but confidence on this is low citing wind direction variation. Light snow showers are predicted for tomorrow before a clear day on Saturday.
Its another relatively mild overcast morning in Nozawa Onsen today. With a freezing level sitting at around 800m and some precipitation expected the snow will be slushy from the get go. However on higher elevation slopes such as around Yamabiko snow quality will be markedly better and there is a definite possibility for snowfalls later in the day. Today is the day to break out the carving skis and smash some pistes.
Yesterday was very similar to what we should expect today. Overcast, warm and high humidity meant the snow became slushy during the afternoon even with flurries of snow falling. Shaded gullies such as those around Yamabiko still had nice, somewhat dry snow but the pick was really the groomed runs that were running faster than expected.
According to the forecast heavy snow is predicted overnight tonight and tomorrow night, but only to around 700m so it will be wet fresh not the dry stuff we are used too. High totals are suggested however it remains to be seen how much will actually fall considering the unorthodox setup of the fronts. The next clear day will probably occur on Saturday.
Its an overcast morning in Nozawa Onsen today and temperatures are warmer than yesterday. Today will be an excellent day to cruise or blast at high speed the groomed pistes which will offer fast conditions. However with the warmer weather off piste will be crusty except up top in Yamabiko. Speaking of which the natural halfpipes are in good shape.
Yesterday was such a good day with crystal clear blue skies lasting all day. The snow was perfect wind compacted powder that allowed for very high speed skiing and perfect landings. Low crowds meant the pistes remained excellent all day long.
Looking at the forecast ahead we should have a few snow showers over the next few days with the freezing level sitting around 800m, so the snow will have a higher moisture content than usual. Heavy snow is likely for wednesday night into Thursday.
Its a clear one in Nozawa Onsen with light winds and only a few clouds dotting the sky. With wind resetting tracked out areas there will be plenty of fresh tracks on offer about the mountain. Many people had issues with slow snow and/or incorrect wax type yesterday. Hopefully with overnight grooming and cooling of the snow this issue will not be so prevalent today.
We should see these fine conditions last most of today will a gradual increase in the freezing level over the next 48 hours. Following this a front delivering snow is expected from Wednesday onwards.
