Nagano snow report and ski area weather: base depth, snow in the past day, seven-day snowfall forecast, temperature and wind for Happo-One, Tsugaike, Nozawa Onsen, Shiga Kogen and more.
Nagano splits into three very different snow zones: the Hakuba Valley, the northern resorts around Nozawa Onsen and Madarao, and the high terrain of Shiga Kogen above 2,000 m. On the same day their depth and weather can differ sharply. The table below gives current base depth, snowfall in the past day, the seven-day total, temperature and wind for each area, refreshed hourly, with live cameras underneath.
Most Nagano ski areas run from early December to early April, and the higher terrain at Happo-One, Tsugaike and Shiga Kogen sometimes skis into early May. Base depth peaks in February.
The northern areas closest to the Sea of Japan — Nozawa Onsen, Tsugaike, Cortina — catch the most snow, while inland Shiga Kogen sits high and cold enough to hold its snow quality longer. The lower eastern areas close during March.
Base depth is measured near the bottom of each ski area. On mountains with big vertical, like Happo-One and Shiga Kogen, the upper slopes hold considerably more than the table shows.
Snowfall figures are 24-hour totals. Around 0°C the same precipitation produces very different amounts of snow, so read the temperature column alongside them.
On windy days the ridge lifts and gondolas hold and everyone shifts into the tree runs lower down.
Which Nagano ski area gets the most snow? The northern ones nearest the Sea of Japan — Nozawa Onsen, Tsugaike Kogen and Cortina — which take the brunt of the storms.
When does Nagano snow peak? February. From late January to early March almost every area in the prefecture should have a solid base.
Where can I ski in spring? The high terrain at Happo-One, Tsugaike Kogen and Shiga Kogen skis into April and, some years, early May.