New Snow (Resort): heaps
New Snow (Village): heaps
Weather: Snowing
Snow Depth: 115cm (Yamabiko)
Outlook: Snow
Open Areas: Both gondolas and all lifts apart from Karasawa, Challenge and Utopia are open. Anything steep on the bottom half of the mountain (apart from Hikage but including Skyline) is not open yet.
A nice start to the busy new years period in Nozawa Onsen today. Both Gondolas are running (lengthy queues), and there is skiing top to bottom. It’s a shame they weren’t able to open Skyline. My guess is that Skyline, Schneider and Challenge will be open tomorrow or the day after, with the black runs off Skyline needing a few more days probably. It may even be into the new year before they see any action. The snow is light and plentiful, with waist deep powder reported in some areas on Yamabiko. Skiers, boarders and the resort are collectively sighing in relief as the season has finally gotten properly underway just in the nick of time.