nozawa onsen

hi, anyone knows when nozawa onsen ski resort will open in dec? planning a trip there around 17 dec and hoping to see snow. Any suggestions on what to do for first time skiing (with kids)? thanks!

It's possible that it might be open, but it's impossible to say at this stage.

For example, very few mountains were open until after the new year last season, but the previous season, many were open at the end of November.

We were in Nozawa last year around 4 or 5 days later than you plan to be there. There was lots of snow in Nozawa (although people told us it had only just started within the last few days). We went to Yudanaka (same region, quite close to Nozawa) before going to Nozawa. On arriving there we had a little rain but no snow. During the night it began to snow and we had a snowy rotemburo (lovely) in the morning.

If it does snow in Nozawa when you're there, the skiing seems very well organised and there were quite a few young children who seemed to be enjoying skiing and generally sliding around and having fun.

Nozawa itself is small, but that's part of its charm. Lots of onsen action (but quite a few of the baths were pretty hot for us adults - not sure if they'd be too much for children. Maybe ask a local which onsens are the coolest?)

Hope that helps.

Tks. What was your itinery at nozawa onsen? Planning to spend 3 days there...any advice on onsen and ski/snowboard? Which ryokan did u stay?