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,
Sushi train locals Lucas, Tia, Jules and Jerry putting on an impressive performance. Jules took the number one spot with 23 plates.
Base up top: 320 cm Temp Top; +5 Degrees
Base at bottom; 130 cm
New Snow since close: 0 cm
Weather; Clear
The long run of spring days has continued today. Partly cloudy freeze thaw conditions are expected today with the groomed runs being firm, softening throughout the day. Off piste areas will produce some excellent spring corn snow. For this time of year the base is holding up really well. Compared to the same time last year we have about a half meter greater snow depth now. This means that an extended period of great spring skiing is expected right to the close of lifts in early May.
Likewise yesterday had some outstanding spring skiing on offer. The groomed runs were soft, slushy and fast. The off piste areas were excellent of the upper mountain, becoming stickier in the lower elevation areas. A strong spring sun shone all day will only a few high level cirrus clouds about. Long range views were obscured by a light haze blown in on the south winds.
Looks like we have some incoming weather in the next few days. A very warm peak tomorrow with likely rain before a colder front moves over overnight into Monday. Heavy snow is expected but only above about 1200m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next week should be clear. Another weather event is predicted for late next week.
Lucas drops one of the biggest cornices on the mountain.
Base up top: 325 cm Temp Top; 0 Degrees
Base at bottom; 135 cm
New Snow since close: 0 cm
Weather; Clear
We have another spring stereotype day here in Nozawa Onsen. Clear and warm with a solid base depth of over three meters. Again, as expected at this time of year the best skiing will be on the upper half of the mountain. With the recent liquid pow the off piste areas are starting to come good again; most areas are holding excellent spring corn snow. Groomed runs will also be nice and the park or pipe will be good in the spring sunshine.
Yesterday saw thick pea soup fog envelop the entire top half of the mountain right up until late afternoon. The visibility up top was so poor that the patrol was forced to close Yamabiko. Nevertheless there was some good skiing and boarding below the cloud line. Recent rain had washed away the persistent sticky layer and so the snow was nice and fast.
The forecast. Today should be clear for the remainder before the cloud rolls in overnight and we should expect a partly cloudy today tomorrow. On Sunday we should expect an influx of pre frontal tropical moisture, turning to snow about the peaks overnight into Monday. Early next week will be mostly fine.
Jerry proves its still possible to get a faceshot even in wet, heavy snow.
Base up top: 335 cm Temp Top; +3 Degrees
Base at bottom; 140 cm
New Snow since close: 0 cm
Weather; Overcast
Its an overcast morning here today but at least the rain has stopped. Idealy, it fell heaviest during the late afternoon and night. This means the deep persistent slushy layer will have been washed away decreasing stickiness on piste. The forecast suggests we may experience some isolated snow showers about the peaks today but so far none have eventuated.
The best skiing today will be on the upper slopes of the mountain. If you found a good location yesterday head to the same spot as it will likely be the same. The park and pipe will also be worth a look.
We have a real mixed bag looking at the forecast for the next 10 days. Clouds will gradually clear later today and tomorrow will be full bluebird corresponding with warm spring temperatures. Rain is predicted for Sunday turning to snow overnight into Monday. It looks like the freezing level will drop to around 1200m so there will be snow from mid mountain up. From then on we should experience partly cloudy conditions thrown in with the odd snow shower. A cooler system is expected mid next week delivering fresh snow down to about 400m.
Hiking out far along the ridge for fresh lines yesterday.
Base up top: 350 cm Temp Top; 0 Degrees
Base at bottom; 150 cm
New Snow since close: 0 cm
Weather; Overcast
As expected the clouds have rolled in overnight in Nozawa Onsen and we currently have a flat overcast sky. Clouds are at mid level so the entire mountain has good visibility even at the peak. The forecast rain has so far held off which is good. So far this season almost all weather systems have been delayed and so its possible that there will be no rain until early afternoon.
While it may sound bad, rain is just what we need here at the moment. A deep surface slush layer has formed when temperatures warmed after the recent dump making for sticky riding conditions off piste. Rain will wash away this surface layer creating excellent spring corn snow for when freeze-thaw variations recommence.
Again today the best riding today will be had on the groomed runs off the upper half of the mountain. The snow will be slightly slow at first so waxing your skis or board with a good quality spring wax will certainly help. Once it starts rain the snow will become faster accordingly.
The forecast predicts that there may be some snow up high tomorrow however nothing significant. Friday should be clear. The freezing level will hover around 2000-2500m for the remainder of the week with possibilities of rain turning to snow Sunday/Monday next week. Only a light to moderate dump out of this system is expected.
Its another perfect spring day in Nozawa Onsen. Light winds, cloudless bluebird skies and a perfect deep spring snowpack. For the best riding today head to the upper groomed runs or park. Intermediate to advanced riders will appreciate the Yamabiko groomers and the challenge area whilst beginners should head to the mid mountain green runs. Off piste may have some nice spring corn snow now its sufficiently packed.
Yesterday saw nice spring conditions also. Runs were mostly slushy from the outset and forgiving for any mistakes. The snow retained good speed for most of the day becoming sticky only on the lower runs by late afternoon. Crowds were almost non-existent.
Looking at the forecast ahead, we expect a continuation of spring conditions lasting till at least Saturday. Some rain is possible tomorrow but apart from that sunny skies are expected. More snow is on the cards for early next week.
