Skiing at Nozawa Onsen

Nozawa Onsen is a picturesque and traditional Japanese town with only 5,000 permanent residents that is located at the base of Mount Kenashi-yama. It is famous (as its name suggests) for its mineral hot springs. This laid-back town becomes a lively ski and snowboard destination once the snow hits in late November or early December.

Skiing was first introduced here in 1911 by Commander Thedor von Lerch, an Austrian ski enthusiast. The ski resort opened in 1924. It was the first ski resort in Japan to install ski lifts and more recently served as the venue for the biathlon competition at the 1998 Nagano Olympics. The Nozawa Onsen complex is over fifty kilometers long. of trails or tracks. The ski slopes start at an elevation of 1085 meters and the ski area includes 297 hectares of ski area. On a clear day you can see the northern Japanese Alps and the Sea of ​​Japan from the top of Mount Kenashi-yama.

There is a terrain park with jumps, rails, boxes and an eighty meter tube for snowboarders looking for something more adventurous than a simple trip up the mountain. The resort has two gondolas and twenty-three chair lifts that will take you back to the top once you reach the end of one of 20 tracks or trails, the longest of which is a 6.2 mile (10 km) run. There is also the option of off-piste skiing at the rear of the mountain, however it is recommended that you bring a local guide. There are dust fields between the marked trails. These areas are marked with “Do not enter unless you are a good skier” signs.

An elevator ticket for the whole day will cost around 4600 yen or you can get half day or night passes. If you do not want to bring your own equipment, you can rent ski and board equipment. Typical rental prices range from 3,000 to 5,000 yen per day.

There are several travel agencies that offer all-inclusive ski packages at competitive prices. These packages include a pass for the Nozawa Onsen accommodation elevator and transportation to the village.

Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort offers the promise of fresh snow almost every day during the snow season and a wide range of trails that offer something for all skill levels of skiers and practitioners, from beginners to experts. All trails end in the village, so you can easily walk to your Nozawa Onsen accommodation or your favorite public or private onsen at the end of your last run.

Nozawa Onsen is friendly to foreigners; However, you will want to be sure to bring cash, as many of the local establishments do not accept credit cards.

Nozawa Onsen accommodations range from budget hostels to luxury resorts. The only options you may want to explore are traditional Japanese inns or ryokans.

Your accommodation at Nozawa Onsen is likely a short walk from the resort’s elevators. There are also many good restaurants and bars in the village.