General message from SnowJapan (added 20th April 2020):

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Original report:

Good morning from Nozawa.

It's Friday 17th April 2020 and it is the last day of the ski and snowboard season here in Nozawa Onsen. At the end of today that upper area and lifts that remain open today will be able to take a rest. And it looks like it is going to be a beautiful spring day.

So it is disappointing - but perhaps inevitable - early end to a unique season. (The planned closing date was 6th May).

Here in Nozawa we enjoy a large vertical from base to top, so even if lower slopes struggled at times snow cover up top has not been a problem. (Once we got going).

Today the resort is reporting 195cm of snow depth on the top Yamabiko area and 100cm on Uenotaira. Just to compare those numbers with last year on 17th April 2019, Yamabiko was then on 275cm and Uenotaira was on 195cm. But this coronavirus situation has taken things over and the resort made the decision to cut the season short to today.

Regarding snowfall.

This season I have personally measured/observed 467cm of snowfall down at base. Last year that number was 886cm. The year before it was 700cm. So quite clearly much less at base. 2005-2006 season was quite similar just in terms of the fine total number. Of course, with our large vertical, more snow falls higher up on the mountain and I keep a record of what the resort is reporting up there in each of my reports.

While the season has not been as consistent as we normally expect, we have also enjoyed periods of excellence. Living here, I am lucky in that I can go with the flow. Some visitors will have been very lucky; some less so. But I am guessing that even those who didn't get the best snow conditions probably fell in love with the village and the people here. And the onsen. And the food.

If you like to study numbers, you can check the data below, archive reports and the Snowfall Analysis page within this report. Numbers by themselves don't tell the full story, so please do read the reports themselves to get a feel for how it all went.

All throughout the season there have been hundreds of people making it all happen, both at the ski resort and beyond. Thanks to those folk. And of course to our very own, Nasuki/Naski, who always has a bright (green) smile on their face. And is a vegetable. Who skis.

I think it is fair to say that everyone is hoping that this season will prove to be something of a one-off in terms of snowfall and that we can get back to more normal Nozawa-like dumpage next winter.

Next season should see a brand new gondola replacing the current Nagasaka Gondola, which is very exciting. It is going to be fun watching that develop over the coming months.

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As others have wisely said, our 'normal' is excellent.

We expect excellence.

Perhaps a somewhat patchy season will help us appreciate what we get more than we do. That can't be a bad thing.

How this coronavirus situation pans out... well, we'll just have to wait and see and hope. And take care of ourselves and ours and others.

That's it from me for this season. Thank you for the many, many people who have been reading the Nozawa Now reports this season. A special thanks to those who have sent in comments. Appreciate the support.

Let's stay safe and let's look forward to Nozawa 2020-2021.