Nozawa Onsen Report

New Snow (Resort): 50cm
New Snow (Village): 50cm
Weather: Heavy snow
Snow Depth: 135cm (Yamabiko)
Outlook: Heavy snow expected over the next few days
Open Areas: Almost the whole mountain is open. Some steeps that run off Skyline need more snow.

When I woke up to only a thin layer of wet dust this morning I was a little bit disappointed, however it only took until mid morning for the heavy dumpage to commence. light and dry powder has been coming down thick and fast ever since and it is still going strong at the moment. The forecast is for continued heavy snow overnight and for the next few days. There are a lot of people on the mountain at the moment and visibility is not the best, however there will be some great lines to be had first thing tomorrow morning.

Happy new year and best wishes for a wonderful 2010!!!

New Years information for visitors to Nozawa

The resort puts on a variety of activities to ring in the new year. On the night of the 31st they extend nighter hours until 1130 at the Nagasaka slopes, provide free sake and hot wine, and hold a countdown to the new year and fireworks display. The Shrine area up above Ogama is a popular place to go after midnight, where you can make wishes for the new year in a Japanese tradition known as Hatsumoude (and drink free sake…) If you feel like having a quiet night, new years is the biggest night on TV in Japan. There is K1 (mixed martial arts), M1 (stand up comedy competition) and ‘Kohaku Uta Gassen’ – singing competition starring many famous Japanese artists. Whatever you have planned, keep your fingers crossed for plenty of snow to bring in the new year.