Nozawa Now: Sunday 7th May 2017
- May 7, 2017
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 9, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Nozawa Onsen region of Nagano
New snowfall at base 0cm
Snowfall at base this season 822cm
Posted on Sunday 7th May 2017 This is an archived report. The latest Nozawa Now report can be found here.
Good morning from Nozawa Onsen on this last day of the 2016-2017 season.
After the less appealing weather we had yesterday, the season is today set to end with fine and sunny conditions. Lift operations are as they have been the last few days, with the Nagasaka Gondola due to end the day at 3:40pm.
Just for the record, on this last day of the season the resort is reporting these official snow depths:
- Yamabiko: 160cm
- Uenotaira: 65cm
- Base areas: 0cm
After the relatively poor season last time round, we enjoyed much more snowfall this season in this region of Nagano Prefecture.
Take a look at the observed snowfall numbers reported on my Nozawa Now reports over the last five seasons:
2016-2017 season total observed snowfall at base: 822cm
2015-2016 season total observed snowfall at base: 472cm
2014-2015 season total observed snowfall at base: 1044cm
2013-2014 season total observed snowfall at base: 720cm
2012-2013 season total observed snowfall at base: 824cm
This last season more snow fell in each month from December to March than in the same months last season – and in the case of January, quite a lot more. If you go over to the ‘Snowfall Analysis’ page of this report you can have fun taking a close look at the numbers and compare recent seasons. It’s the big blue tab at the top of this page if you didn’t already know.
The observed snowfall numbers on my reports are of course what I observed falling at base, and there is considerably more snow falling on the upper slopes of the resort. Remember, you can see the snowfall that the resort itself is reporting from the upper slopes on each of our daily reports. So, all-in-all some very respectable numbers this season.
It makes for good reading and something of a relief after 15-16. We always wanted those relatively poor numbers of last season to be a ‘one-off’!
There was a bit of a worry at the beginning of the season – things took a while to get going – and there were a few periods of warmer conditions in mid-winter, so not everyone was lucky with timing. But most of the people I met seemed to be leaving Nozawa with very fond memories of the skiing, boarding and village in general. That’s always good to hear.
Once again, the increase in the number of foreigners visiting Nozawa Onsen has been noticeable this past season. Lots of people around from lots of different countries and lots of languages to be heard. Don’t worry, there’s still lots of Japanese to be heard too even with this increasingly international crowd.
Anyway, that’s it from me and the Nozawa Now reports for this season.
Remember, Nozawa Onsen is a very fine place to be throughout through the year so perhaps some of you will be visiting before next winter season.
I'll be back with Nozawa Now reports in late autumn in the run up to next season, which is due to start in late November 2017.
Thanks for reading, and see you later in the year.
Nozawa Now 2016-2017 season |
Data as of Sunday 7th May 2017 Total snowfall at base 822cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 68 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 52cm (14th January) November 2016 snowfall 2cm reported on 2 days December 2016 snowfall 161cm reported on 14 days January 2017 snowfall 366cm reported on 20 days February 2017 snowfall 196cm reported on 19 days March 2017 snowfall 97cm reported on 13 days April 2017 snowfall 0cm May 2017 snowfall 0cm |
All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Nozawa Onsen. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report.