When to go to Nozawa Onsen
Month by month: snow depth and temperature from the village weather station, lift price periods, the fire festival, Japanese holidays and crowds.
When to go · Checked Oct 2026 for 2026–27
The short version
Late January to the end of February has the most snow and the coldest days. Lift tickets are cheaper before 19 December and from 29 March. Personally I'd suggest the first three weeks of February for a first trip, avoiding the 11 and 23 February holidays if you can, or early March for families who want warmer days and the family ticket pack.
| Month | Mean temp | Max snow depth | Snowfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 6.4°C | 8 cm | 16 cm |
| December | 0.9°C | 88 cm | 223 cm |
| January | −1.6°C | 171 cm | 366 cm |
| February | −1.3°C | 199 cm | 282 cm |
| March | 1.9°C | 164 cm | 170 cm |
| April | 8.0°C | 77 cm | 35 cm |
| May | 14.4°C | 0 cm | 0 cm |
Japan Meteorological Agency 1991–2020 normals for the Nozawa Onsen weather station, in the village. The upper mountain is usually colder. Max snow depth is the average of each month's deepest reading; snowfall is the monthly total.
November
6.4°C average · 8 cm average max snow depth · 16 cm snowfall
- Season planned to open 28 November 2026, snow permitting.
- Season's First Ride prices to 18 December: adult day ¥5,600.
Only for a gamble on early snow. The village usually has little or none.
December
0.9°C average · 88 cm average max snow depth · 223 cm snowfall
- Free village shuttle from 12 December; regular prices (adult day ¥7,800) from 19 December.
- Nagano Snow Shuttle from the airports starts 19 December.
- The shuttle runs its busier weekend timetable from 26 December over New Year, a sign of the crowds.
Good from mid-month; book early for Christmas and New Year.
January
−1.6°C average · 171 cm average max snow depth · 366 cm snowfall
- The snowiest month: the highest average snowfall of the year in the village.
- Dōsojin fire festival, 13–15 January; the fire ceremony is on Friday 15 January 2027.
- Japanese holidays: 1 January and Coming of Age Day, Monday 11 January 2027.
- Snow monkeys bathe from about December to March.
Peak powder. Book the festival week very early.
February
−1.3°C average · 199 cm average max snow depth · 282 cm snowfall
- Deepest average snow cover of the year.
- Holidays: Thursday 11 February and Tuesday 23 February 2027.
- Nagano Snow Shuttle's full timetable runs to 28 February.
The safest bet for deep snow and full services.
March
1.9°C average · 164 cm average max snow depth · 170 cm snowfall
- Spring Holiday Family Pack, 1–28 March: one adult and one child day ticket for ¥10,000.
- Regular prices and the village shuttle end 28 March; spring prices from 29 March (adult day ¥6,100).
- Holidays: 21 and 22 March 2027.
Warmer days and still plenty of snow. Good for families.
April
8.0°C average · 77 cm average max snow depth · 35 cm snowfall
- Spring prices all month.
- Last winter the Liner bus switched to its summer timetable from 30 March, with fewer services.
- Golden Week starts with the 29 April holiday.
Spring skiing on the upper mountain; the village thaws.
May
14.4°C average · 0 cm average max snow depth · 0 cm snowfall
- Season planned to close 5 May 2027, the last day of Golden Week (3–5 May).
A last spring day or two, not a ski holiday.
Plan around it
Prices by period are on the lift pass page. For 15 January, read the fire festival guide before booking a room, and for a monkey day see snow monkeys from Nozawa. Booking around holidays? Start with where to stay and getting here from Tokyo.
Questions people actually ask
- What is the best month to ski Nozawa Onsen?
- February for the deepest snow and full services, with late January a close second. In JMA's 1991–2020 normals for the village, average maximum snow depth peaks at 199 cm in February.
- When is the Nozawa fire festival in 2027?
- The Dōsojin festival runs 13–15 January, and the fire ceremony is on the night of Friday 15 January 2027.
- When does the 2026–27 season open and close?
- The resort plans 28 November 2026 to 5 May 2027, depending on snow. Regular prices apply 19 December to 28 March.
- Is March too late?
- No. The village still averages 164 cm of maximum snow depth in March, and the 1–28 March family ticket pack helps.
Checked Oct 2026 against: JMA normals, Nozawa Onsen · resort 2026–27 prices and season · special tickets · village shuttle · Cabinet Office public holidays · Jigokudani Monkey Park. Snow varies a lot from year to year.
Keep planning