Nozawa is a single connected mountain served from the village by gondola and lifts. The top section around Yamabiko is the local favourite — a bowl of gladed tree runs that holds powder beautifully and keeps skiing well after a storm. Below, long, wide groomers roll all the way back to the village, including the famous Skyline and Paradise runs.

It's a superb intermediate mountain with enough pitch and tree skiing to keep experts happy on a powder day, and gentle, well-serviced learning areas near the top for beginners.

Sitting in northern Nagano, Nozawa gets deep, regular Japan Sea snow — around ten metres a season. The Yamabiko trees are the highlight for powder skiers: sheltered, consistent and forgiving. Because the crowds concentrate on the groomers, fresh lines linger in the forest.