Superb!4.5 / 5Dec 17, 2017
MKMasaki K.
One of the best powder you can get in the area. A little bit far away but it's worth it! If you are willing to spend some time on travel, it's a great place to visit!... Moreadvanced snowboarder
Nozawa Onsen
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Pros
- Consistent powder and terrain for all abilities
- Village is jam-packed with onsens (hot springs)
- Slopes are never crowded
Cons
- Slopeside restaurants get very busy
Overall
Fan of face shots? Nozawa Onsen has got the goods. Regularly receiving more than 33 ft of light and fluffy powder every winter season, it’s a dream destination for any self-respecting powder hound. A place of ancient splendor, Nozawa Onsen is one of the oldest ski resorts in Japan, home to 734 ac of spectacular ski terrain, bundles of breathtaking backcountry, and an abundance of soothing hot spring onsens. Add to this the village’s truly authentic Japanese atmosphere and you’ve got yourself a ski trip quite unlike any other.
Best month to go
February
Avoid
December and January
For your best chance at scoring big powder days at Nozawa Onsen head over between late January and early February. The snowfall is usually heaviest during this time, so there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy a fresh dump of fluffy white stuff during your stay! December and January can see the slopes crammed with skiers and snowboarders because of the Australian school holidays (which makes up a good bulk of the tourist crowd!), but once February rolls around, the mountain tends to be much quieter. Time your visit for February or March to ditch the queues. All in all, we’d rate February as the best month to ski at Nozawa Onsen!
FLY TO
Narita International Airport
SHUTTLE TO
Nozawa Onsen (6 hours)
Base of Hikage (Walk)
- Closest to ski area with the most lifts and trails
- Furthest from village center, 20-30 minutes walk
- Has a few true ski-in/ski-out lodgings
Base of Nagasaka (Walk)
- Closest to the center of town, 10 minute walk
- Most convenient for those who want to be near the slopes and the village
- Home to The Craft Room, our pick for straight off the slopes après ski
Base of Karasawa (Walk)
- Quieter area on the outskirts of the village
- 10 minute walk from the main street
- Some accommodation close to lifts
Nozawa Onsen Village (0.50-1 mi)
- Dining and entertainment hub
- Cheaper accommodation than bases
- Range of lodging and AirBnb rentals
For beginners
Beginners will be spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding where to ski with suitable mellow terrain across the resort! The Hikage ski area is a good place to start as there are tons of easy rolling greens including Rinkan, a wide open 3 mi trail which happens to be the longest run in the resort!
For intermediates
Yamabiko is the ultimate ski area for intermediates with red (blue equivalent) only runs here! Skiers and snowboarders can enjoy some of the best mountaintop views while shredding the slopes up here, including one of our favorites Yamabiko A which has some pretty steep sections and moguls!
For experts
Nozawa Onsen lacks any form of expert terrain but advanced skiers and snowboarders won't be disappointed here. On-piste, the Challenge 39° Kabe (an ungroomed trail with a 39-degree pitch) and the Skyline Course are some of the best steep stuff here. The real action, however, is in the off-piste tree terrain in the Yamabiko area as well as the backcountry terrain which serves up all the face shots!
Find freshies
Besides the endless exceptional powder in the backcountry terrain on the backside of the mountain, fresh snow can also be found between the off-piste tree terrain in the Yamabiko area, between the trees and in the side-country off the Skyline course.
Ditch the crowds
The Hikage Gondola and Nagasaka Gondola has the worst of the worst lift queues in the morning so hop aboard other chairlifts until the lines die down. During peak season you'll want to avoid Nagasaka Gondola, Paradise Four and the Yamabiko Four chairlift.
Non skiers
With almost thirty hot springs to choose from non-skiers can soak it all up in Nozawa Onsen and embrace the traditional Japanese culture that still oozes around this authentic village. Or take a day trip to the must-see Jigokudani Monkey Park!
Families
The mellow terrain at the Hikage ski area is the best place for families to ski and snowboard together. The Kid's Park at the Hikage base area is also perfect for families with little ones featuring fun inflatable obstacles and a tubing area!
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Nozawa Onsen Reviews
Fabulous!4.4 / 5Dec 10, 2017
OCOwen C.
Stayed in Nozawa Onsen 2016, was an awesome experience of japanese culture, dining and of course... the snowboarding. Great off piste, tree runs and and it was an awesome site seeing the snow monsters of nozawa onsen!
After every day it was a joy going back to our room and enjoying a relaxing beer and onsen when we saw fit. lovely place and i... Moreintermediate snowboarder
Fabulous!4.5 / 5Dec 08, 2017
DCDarren C.
Great place, great facilities...too many Aussie yobbos. This place was great 5years ago, now all the ignorant ethnocentric rich and middle class yobbos go there and mistreat the place. Disrespectful and embarrassing. Good for a day visit but the Aussies will do your head in.... Moreadvanced snowboarder
Fabulous!4.2 / 5Dec 07, 2017
BHBrad H.
This small traditional village with over 10 onsens was just awesome. Plenty of places to dine and foot onsens after a hard days riding is a great experience. The runs are fantastic and the park has plenty on offer & well maintained. Staying in traditional accomadation made the trip. I will never forget when i first walked down the Main Street and... Moreadvanced snowboarder
Fabulous!4.5 / 5Dec 07, 2017
AKAndrew K.
Village lifestyle right on the slopes. The laneways are filled with excellent Japanese eateries and sake bars, there's an abundance of steaming street food on every corner. This is all right at the base of the slopes with the gondala right there to take you to the top for super long pow pow runs.... Moreintermediate skier
Very Good!3.9 / 5Dec 07, 2017
HCHugh C.
It has an heritage and I love the traditional feel of the village. I know the quality of the slopes is very high ef n though I am not much of a snow sports person . It's the "goto" place for me.... Morebeginner snowboarder
Superb!4.9 / 5Dec 07, 2017
SHSam H.
Great resort that sweeps into the town full of Onsen. What more could you want. Great faculties and plenty of options for all riders at all levels. Snow monkeys a short trip away too... Moreadvanced snowboarder
Fabulous!4.4 / 5Dec 05, 2017
MBMichael B.
Awesome skiing with plenty of fresh powder and an unbeatable atmosphere. Food and culture (and onsen) round it out as a perfect holiday destination. Much more of a local and authentic feel than Niseko, where I have also been. Snow at Niseko is great but the mountain feels a bit like an amusement park.... Moreadvanced skier
Superb!4.6 / 5Dec 04, 2017
TMThomas M.
Nozawa Onsen is easy to get to from Tokyo via Shinkansen and bus. The resort gets the most snow I've ever experienced and is the perfect place to visit if you've never ridden in deep snow before. At the top of the mountain there is a patrolled area amongst the trees that is ideal for learning to ride off piste and in deep powder, with the peace of... Moreadvanced snowboarder
Superb!4.9 / 5Dec 03, 2017
MPMike P.
Nozawa is the perfect introduction to Japan skiing. Easy to get to from Tokyo, and has a full village at the base of the mountain. The village has incredible history, for example, remember to look down at the manholes. Each has a unique design, some with themes around the Winter Olympics held there. The mountain has something for everyone - I've... Moreexpert skier