It was nice out there. Todays our last day in nozawa then over to myoko. today were going to ride yamabiko foe a few laps then head out there again. What you up to today?
Against my 300-320cm rule did a little line off skyline today and on the runout, the tide is FAR TOO LOW. The creek is clearly visible on skiers left of runout, and there are a few sucker holes straight through to creek, one of which I very nearly ended up in. Needless to say if I had've, or someone were to, you'd be pretty f*%K4ed. I was stupid and a little pow hungry, but just be super careful at Noz at the moment- lots of warm and not a lot of snow means that heaps of places simply are not 'on', no matter what dates your trip falls on or how keen you are. Back bowl runout is just a lumpy chunky mess. I made a Dumb mistake, don't make it too. needs a good few dumps and consistently cold temps, no way around it.
I got pow hungry at Noz today too and nearly paid a heavy price. Tried to ski a tree line with not quite enough base and hooked a ski under a little branch. Hyperextended a knee, but luckily ski popped off just in time before any serious damage. Agree with Gibbsy 100% Above about 1100m is great. It's the lower terrain where all the traps lurk!!
Driving the hill today I was shocked at the snow melt. Most of Nakano doesnt even have snow on the ground anymore.
Nozawa off piste today was the worst I've skiied here even after the few cm of fresh. A few near misses with gaps and " death cookies.".' 10 good turns as you drop off the skyline at the top and then crap till the bottom. Not too much fun. Piste was fun.
Of course it will be.We will be there.(This from a bloke who goes fishing and all the barra have migrated to another billabong)
Nagasaka gondola stopped. Yamabiko chairs not running due to wind. Rain imminent Good day for a lay day
Damn! So, with just over two weeks to go before I get there I'm getting a little worried now. Can you guys please steer me in the right direction to find proper weather forecasts? I know where to find the blog-style updates, but I'm keen to see the BoM equivalent data and RADAR images. Or maybe I should just stick my head in the sand until we get there and hope that it's still a skiing holiday rather than a drinking and sightseeing holiday.
Sandy predicts it's going to snow, so relax. http://www.jma.go.jp/en/radame/ Equivalent of bom Table of hourly weather obs, Intl. Nozawa and Hakuba, satellite, radar, forecasts. It's pretty much all there
Yeah stick your head in the sand.I did it last year at Myoko and Noz and we got dumped on big time.(late Feb).
I'll be there from 28 February - 9 March .......... I'm staying positive - a big dump a week before and another whilst we are there ....... I have nothing to base this on; other than the fact that I always get lucky with my overseas ski trips
Well I have to say I just loved Japan and Nozawa Onsen. Below are a few Instagram (iPhone) snaps (sorry for the quality) from both Nozawa and Tokyo. (please scroll if not interested!).
You must be right JK,I own a pretty quick turbo`d straight six rice burner but I hate the small of burning rubber.
Given the Baron dropped 20cm of his blower best today I'd suggest not. Will be deep out tomorrow. How's that heat treaten ya? Bout as well as the stars I'd imagine.
Not for me it hasn't. Couple small top ups in Hakuba but nothing extraordinary until today. Tomorrow will be epica!
20cm? That's what falls on the groomed runs before the lifts open, after the groomers have gone through a couple of hours earlier.....
Actually Nozawa copped the 8th highest fall in Japan last night at 39cm (according to the Myoko Snow Report this morning).
Hey guys, okay, so I know this information is already in here somewhere, and I'm sure I've already got some of it tucked away somewhere, but my head is spinning and I could use some expert guidance. With respect to travel to NO from Narita, I've been intending to take trains at least as far as Nagano, and possibly all the way to TogariNozawa Onsen. I'm now starting to lean towards Chuo door to door. What I'm wondering is this: 1. How likely is it that my wife and I will be jammed in a shuttle bus with five other people? 2. If we take the train will we be there significantly sooner? 3. If we train it to Nagano how much and how long is the taxi ride to NO? I know I'm spending too long perusing these forums and I'm probably overthinking things. I don't usually mind just lobbing up and winging it. But I know that when we land at 0730 next Saturday the last thing we're going to want to do is stuff around for the sake of a few bob and a few minutes. Thanks, as always.
Most I've ever had in a chuo is 3 others. I wouldn't be sweating it. Black cat your ski gear and then train it without the hassle of the gear?
If you're going straight to Noz from Narita and intend on skiing the next day, then it's probably better not to black cat your gear.
No skis this time. Renting fat. Makes life easier. And time-wise, Chuo is okay? I've read somewhere that it takes six hours!
Chuo is ok, but 6 hours is probably about right. Depends on pick ups and drop offs, planes on time, traffic, weather. Quite a few variables. my preferred method is: Narita to Ueno, Keisei Skyliner Ueno to Nagano, Asama shinkansen Nagano to Nozawa, train to Togari Nozawa, then local bus. Quickest, comfiest and most scenic imo.
Chuo will get you there about 230pm. Shink would be easiest skyliner to Ueno then shink as dr80 says. The shink ticket and togarinozawaonsen can all be bought at once at Ueno, a quick platform transfer at Nagano and about an hr on a local rattler- nice train ride,very scenic. bus meets train at togarinozawaonsen up to village. Its simple and flows easily.TBH I prefer the train- a few short legs with easy transfers breaks it up and makes it seem quicker, plus saves an hour or 2,and about 3500y. Chuo starts to grate after a while especially with a few people onboard.