www.nozawaski.com/winter/en/index.php  |  Toyosato 7653, Nozawaonsen-mura, Shimotakai-gun  |  2+81-269-85-3166  |  Days 8:40-17:20, Nights 16:30-20:00  |  Travelling times to Nozawa Onsen Snow Resort Tokyo: 2 hrs 25 min (train), Osaka: 4 hrs 30 min (train)

QUALITY AND QUANTITY

Nozawa Onsen Snow Resort redefines the meaning of ‘powder dump’. Fine, dry powder cascades down on the resort during a long season from December to May, and the snow pack reaches depths of over five metres around its 1,650-metre summit, Mt Kenashi. There are ungroomed burns aplenty to enjoy it among the 36 courses, which criss-cross an area of almost 300 hectares from the summit down to the village – a vertical drop of more than a kilometre.

One of the best things about the courses at Nozawa Onsen Snow Resort is the enormous variety they offer all skiers. Beginners are well-catered for with 40 per cent of the terrain, and some of its scenic highlights include a five-kilometre tree run linking the Paradise and Hikage slopes.

The Hikage slope is Nozawa’s main slope, and is great for families and beginners with its ski school, kids park and child care facilities. Ski and snowboard lessons for all ages can also be booked through the Hikage Ski Center.

The remainder of the terrain is divided evenly between intermediate and expert courses, which incline as much as 39º, and tours of the amazing backcountry beyond them are available in English.

Nozawa’s Uenotaira Snow Park boasts a 3.5m tall, 110m long, and 4 m wide half-pipe, to complement a good selection of fun boxes, waves, rails and kickers designed with something for all riders in mind.