There's some high cloud on view in the distance but some lovely blue skies over Nozawa at the moment with the sun shining down and casting shadows, and warming us up to around 14 degrees this afternoon.

There was just a light breeze this morning though more of a wind this afternoon... nothing like the strong gusting winds we had recently though, much calmer.

Tomorrow likely won't be as warm and remain in single digits, but more sun is on the forecast. There's also the chance of a light dusting of snow up top tomorrow night.

We have been saying this all season almost but it's just so quiet out there now. You have to wonder if it makes business sense for the resort to open with so few people about. Having said that we'll probably see some decent crowds over the weekends as people get that last slide of the season in.

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Official snow depths
Yamabiko
225cm

Uenotaira
155cm

Hikage
40cm

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Nozawa Onsen opening dates from 1st April to the end of season:

From 1st April until 6th May:
Nagasaka Gondola
Yamabiko Number 2 Four lift
Yamabiko Four lift

From 1st April until 7th April
12th April until 14th April
20th-21st April
27th April until 6th May
Uenotaira Four lift
Snow Park

6th-7th April
13th-14th April
20th-21st April
27th April until 6th May
Paradise Four lift

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Courses scheduled to be open at Nozawa Onsen (subject to change due to weather conditions):

Yamabiko A
Yamabiko B
Yamabiko C
Yamabiko D
Yamabiko E
Uenotaira
Bunabayashi (to the Nagasaka Gondola mid station)
Paradise
Utopia A
Utopia B
Rinkan (until the Hikage area)

To get back to the Nagasaka Gondola from Rinkan use the shuttle bus from Isemiya course.

Lift prices from 1st April are 3500 yen (adults), 1500 yen (children), 2500 yen (seniors) for a day ticket and 2500 yen (adults), 1000 yen (children), 2000 yen (seniors) for a half day.