Nozawa Onsen Snow Resort 野沢温泉スキー場
Slide and relax
Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort offers a vast ski area and a multitude of activities, from skiing/snowboarding to snowshoeing in nature or new sliding sports such as Snow-scoot. To relax after your efforts, the hot springs of Nozawa are ideal.
A constant evolution
Nozawa Onsen is located in northern Nagano Prefecture , within Jōshinetsu Kōgen National Park. The village of Nozawa was already known for its hot springs in the Edo period (1603 - 1868), where about twenty accommodations could accommodate travelers.
In 1923, the first ski club of Nozawa Onsen was established with the aim of developing the resort in the heart of the mountains, for winter sports activities and relaxation in the onsen (Japanese hot springs).
In 1998, during the Nagano Winter Olympics , the biathlon events were held in Nozawa.
In 2015, the shinkansen (Japanese TGV) made it possible to get as close as possible to Nozawa Onsen , thanks to Iiyama station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line, located a dozen kilometers away.
Nozawa and the Ilyama Valley seen from the top of the ski area
Wikimedia Commons
Everything for skiing
Nozawa Onsen Snow Resort is a vast ski area that has 36 slopes for beginners to the most experienced who want to hit the slopes, from 565 meters up to 1,650 meters above sea level , the summit of Mount Kenashi.
Snow cover is always guaranteed in this resort , the quality of the snow recognized by skiers who love powder snow, as well as by tourists from all over the world who come here. This is why many indications are displayed in English and you will even find English-speaking ski instructors there.
Skier racing down a slope in Nozawa onsen (Nagano)
Jerome Laborde
From the village of Nozawa Onsen, access to the resort is possible by several routes. The "You Load", large covered escalator, is free. There is also a chairlift, as well as a free shuttle. To take on the slopes, two cable cars (Hikage and Nagasaka) and 15 chairlifts are at your disposal (4,800 yen per day, or €36.50).
Apart from skiing or snowboarding, other activities are offered in the area:
- Zip-Skyride, is a large zip line nicknamed "the walk in the sky", which flies over the entire resort at the bottom of the slopes. At 70km/h over 650 meters, thrills are guaranteed!
- Snowmobile ride in the forest , to discover the whole area while staying sheltered.
- Snowshoeing , to be closer to nature, in the forest, away from the ski slopes. Several choices of itineraries are offered.
- Even more fun, the Snow-scoot, a kind of bike on skis . You are seated on a saddle and you hurtle down the slopes in more or less controlled slides depending on your mastery of the device.
Snowshoe hike in nature
Jerome Laborde
For the family, and especially for children, the Kids Parc has a bouncy castle, toboggans or ski-cycles available on a special track. They're having a blast while you sip your hot chocolate at a nearby table.
A dozen shops offer the rental of ski equipment , wetsuits, shoes, including the Salomon Station, the brand's official store.
Discover other ski resorts:
All the pleasures of onsen
After all this energy spent slaloming and walking in the snow, finally comes the time for comfort and relaxation. This is where the second part of the program is activated with the onsen of Nozawa to relax.
The village of Nozawa Onsen has 13 public baths , which have been maintained by the locals themselves since the Edo period. The water comes directly from the source, very hot and effective in repairing all your ailments. These small establishments are open access , you give what you want in a small box placed at the entrance, to thank you for the interview.
There's also the Nozawa Onsen Spalina , which offers several accessible baths including a large outdoor bath. The water is cooler there than in the small establishments, you will even find a restaurant there (700 yen the entrance, or 5€).
See also: 5 onsen for winter
Traditional onsen of the village, very nice establishment maintained by the villagers themselves.
Jerome Laborde
Address, timetable & access
Address
Phone
+81 269-85-3166Timetable
From Tokyo: Shinkansen (Hokuriku line) to IIyama, then Nozawaonsen Liner bus.Access
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. dailyWebsite
http://www.nozawaski.com/en/
