Nozawa Onsen offers big mountain resort-style skiing. There are two gondolas, 21 chair lifts, and 31 miles (50 km) of runs divided into 30% advanced, 30% intermediate, and 40% advanced. It is never crowded even when locals arrive on weekends. During the week the slopes are blissfully uncrowded. A total of 36 ski runs lead from the 5413 feet (1650 m) summit to the base, with a vertical drop of 3559 feet (1085 m). There is even a 6.2 mile (10 km) beginner run.
Nozawa Onsen is divided in to Snow Park, Hikage Gelende, Paradise Gelende and the Schneider Course. Snow Park is a terrain park with a kicker, box, rail, and cross course. Hikage Gelende is the main area of Nozawa Onsen where the resort facilities such as ski school, ski center, and child care are found. Paradise Gelende is the beginner and intermediate area with wide slopes for letting loose on your favorite carving board or skis. Schneider Course comprises the Yamabiko slopes at the northern side of Mt Kenashi where there are five intermediate runs. There is superb powder skiing here and jaw-dropping 360-degree panoramic views from the summit.
Nozawa’s slopes have three main entrances: the Hikage Trail, from the spa town via Yu-road; the Nagasaka Trail, from the new parking lot; and the Karasawa Trail, leading to moderate terrain. Rest houses are adjacent to each trail.
Families are well looked after here. There are wide gentle slopes at Uenotaira located at the top of the gondola as well as around the Hikage slopes at the base of the mountain. At Naski Park, kids can sled and play in the snow and a free rest station for children called the Naski Room is located on the second floor of the Hikage Trail Information Center.
A magic carpet lift for very small children takes them to a very gentle slope where they can learn skiing fundamentals. A day nursery with registered nurses and an indoor children’s playroom is also available.
Mountain Stats
| Skiable Terrain | 733.9 acres (297 hectares) |
| Vertical | 1,085 m (3,560 ft) |
| Top Elevation | 1,650 m (5,413 ft) |
| Base Elevation | 565 m (1,854 ft) |
| Average Snowfall | 500 cm (196 in/16 ft) |
| Beginner Terrain | 40% |
| Intermediate Terrain | 30% |
| Advanced Terrain | 30% |
| Trails | 36 |
| Parks | 1 |
| Pipes | 1 |
| Winter lifts Total | 20 |
| Gondolas Trams | 2 |
| Chair Lifts | 18 |
| Longest Run | 10km (6.2 mi) |
| Season Opens | November |
| Season Closes | May |