2010 has been an amazing ski season, and we’re not done yet! We’ll be staying open until May 6th, and there’s plenty of great snow on the way.

We’ve still got plenty of beds available for March and April, which are some of the best times in Nozawa.  We’ll have plenty of snow, and absolutely no crowds. We’ve got some great specials, so come and enjoy Nozawa with us!

Here’s a few highlights of the 2010 season so far.

Morning Traffic

Monkey Business

Air on Yamabiko

Blue Powder

Nozawa Onsen March 2007 Drawing some nice Lines

2010 is proving to be an amazing season so think we will be looking good to go the full distance and have a truly golden Golden week. The Resort generally stays open until the end of of the Golden Week Holiday which is May 6th with Mother Natures cooperation on the Snow.

So we still have some great snow to enjoy ahead of us. March I feel is one of the best times in Nozawa. All the snow is here and absolutely no crowds. I am often skiing fresh powder on the top of the Mountain with a few others on March 30th every year

We still have some good availability for March and April and giving good discounts so get in and book as soon as you can and come and enjoy all the magic place has to offer

Yamabiko 4 Chair Lift Nozawa Onsen

It was a perfect full-moon last night with clear skies and no wind. This has made way for nice firm packed and freshly groomed runs this morning.

Given the day is going to be relatively warm, the best conditions will be this morning before the snow gets a little soft.

For those eagerly awaiting the next dump, you won’t have to wait too much longer. We have a good fall of snow expected between Tuesday night and Saturday morning. So start waxing your powder skis and boards.

The Road/Ski Slope from Nozawa House to Nozawa Village

The Day before yesterday being January 27th 2010 was really a special day up here in Nozawa. Finally managed to get out and take a few photos. Not a cloud in the sky and some pristine fresh snow. Everything looked picture perfect just wanted to share a few shots

Madarao Ski Resort looking from Nozawa Onsen

I guess we can’t expect perfect conditions everyday. We’re experiencing 45km/h winds with rain down in town with snow up top today. The Gondolas are on standby with the Challenger and Utopia lifts expected to open shortly.

Outlook is for temps to fall and snow to increase so if have a choice may be a good day to take it easy and look forward to the new snow on the way

Anyone for a relaxing onsen?

Current snow depths:

270cm (top)
240cm (Uenotaira)
160cm (village).

Kate, Jay and Matt

It’s a bluebird day here at Nozawa Onsen, with plenty of fresh snow on the ground after yesterday’s dump and a base of almost 300cm. That’s more than enough reasons to get up the mountain. Even those with Australia Day hangovers don’t have an excuse!

Hachiman Shrine above Villa Nozawa Early Morning Traffic

30cm of Fresh snow this morning on the slopes. After a few sunny days it was most welcome. Still snowing fairly heavily out side at the moment  but it is forecast to get lighter as the day goes on

Looking like tomorrow will be a Sunny day but the last for a while with consistent snow falls forecast for the week ahead. With the base already at great levels this will only help to give us continued great conditions

Does not get much better

The Road down to Karazawa Slopes at Nozawa Onsen

Blue Bird Day at Yamabiko on top of Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort

It has been a pretty snow filled month so far in Nozawa Onsen. Don’t think we saw much of the sun there for a while as the powder kept falling from the sky. In amongst the dumps there were however a few magic sun filled days and some great photo opportunities.

The trees up top at Yamabiko never cease to amaze. It is called “Jyuhyou” which literally means Frozen Tree!

Nozawa Onsen Fire Festival in full blaze

There were also some pretty hot trees in the Village this month with the famous ‘Fire Festival’. To first timers it is an unbelievable event with people charging at each other with huge burning sticks. It is like a medieval pantomime which is slowly played out over the course of  the evening. Lots of sore heads from the fight and the sake!

The Hot Springs in Nozawa Onsen, Snow covered retreat

Nozawa Onsen was famous for the Hot Springs long before it was known as a Ski Resort. During the Edo Period around 700 AD travelers from Tokyo would make the long journey overland across the Mountain ranges to bask in the glory of the springs at the base of Mt Kenashi in Nozawa.

Onsen means Hot Spring and there are 13 Public bath houses in Nozawa Onsen and a further hand full of private run hot springs scattered across this tiny Village

They are a special place for the locals, many of whom build there houses with out bathrooms as they have a magical hot spring just nearby thier house.

So when you visit one of these bath houses you are sharing in the Villagers lifestyle. They are more than happy for you to enjoy them but expect you to follow the local customs while visiting. So make sure to respect them and your whole experience will be that much richer. The Onsens are a perfect way to relax after a hard day on the slopes.

Team Work- Villagers working together to clear the Snow from an Onsen

Everyone living in the area takes turns to clean the Hot Springs and to clear the snow from the roof and entry after a big dump. Dangerous work but very rewarding!

The top photo is Shinden Onsen about 100m from Lodge Nagano. The bottom shot is Nakao Onsen just behind Alpine Villa Nozawa. Nakao is one of the largest in town and has two pools one hot and one very hot! Shinden is a bit more cosy and has a great feel too also generally one of the cooler places in town for a soak

We’ve had an amazing run of powder days here at Nozawa Onsen. And when it’s dumping down, what better place to be than flying through the trees. Check out the video of Matt and Jay to see what the conditions have been like.

Jealous?

Click here to view the embedded video.