Nagano Ski Report

Hello, skiiers! Just a heads-up.

I just got back from Norikura (Norikura Kogen Onsen Ski-jo). http://www.norikura.co.jp/

We%26#39;ve gone there for about 20 years now and have never been disappointed in its fine powder snow, especially in January and February.

But this year, it was dismal. In fact, everywhere in Nagano doesn%26#39;t look good. It RAINED for three consecutive days -- even the ski instructors and lodge owners say it%26#39;s the first time EVER in February! Hakuba, Happo-one, Shiga -- rain, rain everywhere. Even in the higher elevations. It poured so much yesterday morning that NO ONE was on the slopes. (Everyone was in the onsen hot springs bath!)

I remember that it rained one day during the Nagano Olympics in 1998, but by the next day, the rain had turned to snow. This year, the warm pressure system has come up from the south, and the cold high front from the north hasn%26#39;t been able to come down. The weather forecast predicted rain for the rest of the week, so we came home early.

The condition of the slopes was similar to March snow -- heavy and slushy. Although there was enough snow to ski, it wasn%26#39;t the same.

A note to those who are thinking of skiing in Nagano in March -- unless the weather conditions return to ';normal,'; you might (most likely) be disappointed. Wouldn%26#39;t want you to go home thinking ';so THIS is Nagano';!

If you want to go skiing, go to Hokkaido. It%26#39;s snowing there.

On the bright side, the plum blossoms are out! The sweet fragrance of spring is filling the Tokyo air early this year.

:-)

Nagano Ski Report

That%26#39;s gone down hill fast. On the 16 to 18 Feb at Myoko was absolutely sensational.

Each morning, cars in the hotel carpark were totally covered in snow and had to be dug out. The snow plough had to be dirverted to come and clear our hotel carpark.

Powder snow was at least knee deep on some pistes and deeper in the trees.

Nagano Ski Report

Noooooo. I was so worried about this... we%26#39;re going for two nights March 23-25. :(

We still want to go to see the snow monkeys, etc. You think we should cut our trip down to one night in Nagano and spend the other night either in Tokyo or Kyoto (we will be coming FROM Tokyo and going TO Kyoto).

:(

Depends what happens in the interim and how flexible your plans are. The second warmest March has been predicted with some reporting, snow disappearing early April, possibly a month ahead of normal (see: SnowJapan.com).

I%26#39;d still wait (if possible) but have a standby plan ready if needed, closer to the date. Depends on whether it rains, snows or melts.

Monitor the snow forums for updated weather predictions.

%26lt;We still want to go to see the snow monkeys, etc. You think we should cut our trip down to one night in Nagano and spend the other night either in Tokyo or Kyoto%26gt;

There%26#39;s been twice as much rain and one-third as much snow as an'; average'; year. The weather people had been predicting a ';warm year'; and they were right on target. But don%26#39;t worry. Temperatures are dropping this week and it%26#39;s been snowing in the mountains. They%26#39;re predicting snow today in Tokyo, too.

MQ38, there are lots of things to see and do in Nagano. www.nagano-tabi.net/sc/english/toppage.php

http://www.pref.nagano.jp/english/indexe.htm

It%26#39;s a beautiful place and you%26#39;ll see a Japan that%26#39;s different than Tokyo or Kyoto. Stay there for sure!

And watch the weather report! There%26#39;s a Link on the nagano-tabi net page. Click on Ski Japan Holidays near the bottom, then click on Snow Report near the top when the next page opens.

Thanks. We%26#39;re definitely still going to Nagano regardless of the weather. We%26#39;re set to stay in the Ichinose area of Shiga Kogen for two nights. We were going to spend those days skiing and seeing the snow monkeys. If the ski conditions are dismal, can we still get to these other places in your links via local transportation? Though I imagine if I take a map or photo from your links, the hotel personnel could direct me on where to go...

Thanks! Checking the snow reports daily.

Been looking at the snow reports for Shiga Kogen... but would like to hear first hand experiences... how%26#39;s the ski conditions up there? We%26#39;re heading to Nagano in less than 2 weeks!