Nozawa Onsen is probably a good resort to head for if you are looking to break into freeriding. The top section of the mountain, Yamabiko, is designated as a “self-responsibility special area” – i.e. off-piste skiing is officially tolerated in this sizeable zone. Given its altitude close to the top of Mt. Kenashi, this area is also blessed with the most snow, and more than 5 metres of the white stuff is no rarity up here. The terrain itself is pretty mellow but includes some interesting topographical features and plenty of sparse woodland to encourage shredding between the trees. We had a great deal of fun in the deep stuff up on top of the mountain, and we can recommend it to anyone with some off-piste ability. As always, we recommend carrying the proper freeride equipment with you at all times if you venture off-piste.
Backcountry tours available
Freeriding is officially prohibited on the rest of the mountain, so we recommend sticking to the designated trails and in-bounds sidecountry. Luckily, the resort offers English-language backcountry tours and guides for skiers of all abilities, allowing you to explore the untouched freshies beyond the ski area as safely as possible.