With just one month to go until the resort is set to open here in Nozawa Onsen on December 3rd, there is a cool feeling of excitement in the air.
The autumn leaves or Kouyo are in full blaze, and there are some beautiful colors sprawled out across the slopes
The staff as usual are out in the fields preparing the runs, cutting grass and trees to make way for mountains of snow which are hopefully just around the corner.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has put out their forecast and it is looking pretty promising with average temperature and precipitation in December and below average temps in January.
At the moment it is still fairly warm in town but temps are set to drop next week and get down to -5 degrees up top of Mt Kenashi. Anyway, still early days.
The Nozawa Onsen Photo contest is on again and will be chosen at the end of November so if have any good shots of Nozawa be sure to send them in. You can enter here http://www.nozawaphoto.com/
If you struggle with the language you can post here http://www.facebook.com/nozawaonsenjapan and your entry will be sent on – or you can do both
Some great prizes to be won including lift Passes and accommodation plus the prestige of your photo being displayed around the village
Anyway probably getting close to time to pull out the boards and start waxing if nothing else will get you thinking of the winter wonderland ahead…