Explore the stunning tree-lined ridges and open slopes of this ski resort. Soak tired muscles in healing hot springs in the nearby traditional village.
Nozawa Onsen Snow Resort crisscrosses the face of rugged Kenashiyama, providing breathtakingly scenic settings for winter sports in the Nagano Prefecture. The village is renowned for its soothing hot springs. It also was important in the birth of alpine-style skiing in Japan. Discover a variety of terrain for skiing and snowboarding, including gentle beginner slopes and an exciting area for children, as well as challenging trails and a terrain park.
Rent top-of-the-range ski or snowboard gear and begin your exploration of the slopes, some of which were first traversed on skis by Austrian visitors in the early 1900s. Nozawa Onsen Snow Resort has an even split of beginner, intermediate and expert trails. Select what suits you and enjoy numerous runs. Participate in the resort’s ski school with a class to work on technique. Your instructor can give you handy tips on how to navigate the resort’s 21 different lifts for the best fit to your skills.
Ski a 6-mile (10,000-meter) run or a 39-degree wall. Find exhilarating off-piste areas between the slopes or perfect your performance on the mogul run. Uenotaira Snow Park has kickers, rails, boxes and an extensive halfpipe.
Families are well served at the Hikage Trail Information Center. Use the children’s rest station, the daycare center and an exciting Kids Park. Children can go tubing and sledding or climb in the outdoor playground.
Reach Nozawa Onsen with a bus that connects with Iiyama and Nagano Dentetsu train lines or catch a bus directly from Nagano’s main train station. The bullet train and bus combination from Tokyo Narita Airport takes about 4 hours while driving takes 5 hours. Enjoy the long ski season from December to May.
Leave time to explore Nozawa Onsen village, located downhill from the resort. Wander around narrow cobblestone streets and see steam rising up between the traditional ryokan inns. Many inns have private hot spring baths called onsen. Visit several historic onsen throughout the village.
