REPORT

The 2024-25 winter season got off to a good start as Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort opened at 8:30 a.m. on 11/30 (Sat.), as originally planned. As I made my way up to the upper portion of the slopes from the Nagasaka Gondola Base Station (pictured), where the weather was a mix of snow and drizzle, I could see the trees higher up on the mountain covered in rime ice.
[Nagasaka Gondola Base Station]

There are two courses open at the moment: the D Course (pictured, groomed) and the E Course (ungroomed) on the Yamabiko Slope. The high-speed Yamabiko No. 2 Quad (732m) was in operation, so I was able to get up and down efficiently. The D Course had nicely-packed powder snow on the top half, and the conditions were so good that I couldn’t help but exclaim my excitement out loud!
[Yamabiko Slope・D]

I spoke with a snowboarder from Joetsu City (pictured), who told me, “I love your site. The snow quality is really good! I’m glad I came to Nozawa today.” There was a hard, compacted section of snow at the end of the D Course that looked like it had been made with artificial snow machines, but with the flat, well-finished surface, no bushes, and the 2 to 3cm of dry new snow on top, conditions were really quite comfortable.
[Yamabiko Slope・D]

A married couple from Kanagawa Prefecture (pictured) noticed I was from Snownavi, got my attention, and commented, “We came out for the first day of the season because we’ve been checking the Nozawa live camera and knew that there was a proper base. We’re looking forward to the hot spring after we finish.” Later, a snowboarder from Yamanashi Prefecture added, “I came out because I heard the E Course had opened. I really enjoyed riding the sides of the course!”
[Yamabiko Slope・D]

[Nozawa Onsen Details on 11/30 (Sat)]
*Avaiiable Courses … Yamabiko Area D, E
*Available Lifts … Nagasaka Gondola (8:30～), Yamabiko No.2 Four(8:40～)
*Fees … Adult JPY5,300, Senior JPY4,200, Under 15 y/o JPY2,900 (Until 12/20)
　
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reported by Snownavi