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SnowJapan.Com Zao Now!
 
Zao Now! Weather and snow reports direct from Zao.
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Last Updated : Wednesday 5th May 2010, 5:09PM
 
Last Updated: Wednesday 5th May 2010, 5:09PM
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Lift operation Zao Onsen is now closed. The 2010/2011 season will hopefully begin in late November 2010.

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Wednesday 5th May 2010, 5:09PM
Weather conditions: -
New snowfall: -
Snow depth: -
Today was officially the last day of the ski and snowboard season at Zao Onsen and the last day of the ski lifts moving. Like every day of this Golden Week, it has been a fine, warm and sunny day here with temperatures easily into the double figures. The snow is now retreating quickly up on the mountain - only the top courses have remained open with people needing to use the ropeways to get back down - but a fair number of people have been here enjoying that last ski and snowboard of the season.

Zao is of course a popular mountain resort all year round - with many people coming for general sightseeing, hiking and other outdoor pursuits as well as the onsen and escaping the heat of the cities.

The three Ropeways all operate throughout the year, though the Zao Sky Cable plans to be closed from 6th-28th May and the Zao Ropeway will be closed from 6th-18th May for general maintenance.

Ropeways at Zao:
Zao Sky Cable - open all year (closed 6th-28th May for maintenance)
Zao Chuo Ropeway - open throughout the year
Zao Ropeway - open all year (closed 6th-18th May for maintenance)

-----

I hope you enjoyed reading these reports and you found them to be useful during the winter. We will be back with the daily reports from Zao next winter - perhaps with a few additional reports from time to time in the "green season", but definitely in the run up to the 2010/2011 snow season in Zao.

All the best for the summer months!
 
Friday 30th April 2010, 10:39AM
Weather conditions: Sun, cloud
New snowfall: 0 cm (observed since yesterdays report)
Snow depth: 90cm (Chuo); 100cm (Paradise); 110cm (Utopia) [official]
We had some rain in Zao yesterday which didn't really help out with the snow, which is now getting rather thin on the ground in areas of the remaining upper courses that are still open at Zao.

It is another cold morning here. While it was +3 degrees in the village, it was a cold -3 degrees up at the top of the mountain just before they opened this morning. The sun is out now though with a fairly strong breeze down here, so no doubt it will warm up a bit - but not as much as we would expect for Golden Week and almost May.

It really is the last stretch of the season now as the ski resort will be open until the last day of the Golden Week holidays, which is Wednesday - so just over 5 days left.

The forecast for those 5 days is generally fine and sunny weather with warmer temperatres until at least Tuesday. It should really warm up somewhat as well with temperatures in the village likely to be well into double figures Sunday to Tuesday.

Of course, the Ropeways at Zao operate throughout the year, so it's only the "ski resort" that will be officially closing at the end of the day on Wednesday.

Have a good Golden Week!

Chuo area:
90cm

Paradise area:
100cm

Utopia area:
110cm

Ropeways at Zao:
Zao Sky Cable - open all year (closed 6th-28th May for maintenance)
Zao Chuo Ropeway - open throughout the year
Zao Ropeway - open all year (closed 6th-18th May for maintenance)
 
Monday 26th April 2010, 9:58AM
Weather conditions: Sun, fine weather
New snowfall: sprinkling cm (observed since yesterdays report)
Snow depth: 105cm (Chuo); 120cm (Paradise); 140cm (Utopia) [official]
It is a bright and sunny morning in Zao, much like yesterday, thought it is a warmer start to the day after the cold start we had yesterday. Right now it is 3 degrees in the village, just a slight breeze and sunny skies.

We had another sprinkling of snow last night believe it or not, so it just isn't quite giving up yet though somehow it does feel more springlike and surely we are soon going to see temperatures start to rise.

Chuo area:
105cm

Paradise area:
120cm

Utopia area:
140cm

Below are the lifts that remain open at the Zao Onsen resort:

Ropeways:
Zao Sky Cable - open all year (closed 6th-28th May for maintenance)
Zao Chuo Ropeway - open throughout the year
Zao Ropeway - open all year (closed 6th-18th May for maintenance)

Lifts:
Chuo No1 pair - until 5th May
Chuo No2 pair - open only Sat/Sun/holidays until 5th May
Katakai triple - open only Sat/Sun/holidays until 5th May
Paradise Pair lift - until 5th May
Shobunuma No1 triple and No2 pair - open only on Sat/Sun/holidays until 5th May
Utopia No1 pair - open all year
Utopia No2 pair - until conditions allow

Above lift information is subject to change.
 
Saturday 24th April 2010, 9:57AM
Weather conditions: Cloud, fog
New snowfall: sprinkling cm (observed since yesterdays report)
Snow depth: 105cm (Chuo); 120cm (Paradise); 140cm (Utopia) [official]
The cold weather just won't go away at the moment!

This morning a little earlier it was 0 degrees in the village with a sprinkling of snow, cloudy and foggy onditions so fairly poor visibility on the mountain. Expect it to be colder up there so winter wear is still needed.

These conditions look likely to clear up as the day progresses though and by tomorrow it is likely to be clear and sunny with considerably warmer temperatures.

Chuo area:
105cm

Paradise area:
120cm

Utopia area:
140cm

Below are the lifts that remain open at the Zao Onsen resort:

Ropeways:
Zao Sky Cable - open all year (closed 6th-28th May for maintenance)
Zao Chuo Ropeway - open throughout the year
Zao Ropeway - open all year (closed 6th-18th May for maintenance)

Lifts:
Chuo No1 pair - until 5th May
Chuo No2 pair - open only Sat/Sun/holidays until 5th May
Katakai triple - open only Sat/Sun/holidays until 5th May
Paradise Pair lift - until 5th May
Shobunuma No1 triple and No2 pair - open only on Sat/Sun/holidays until 5th May
Utopia No1 pair - open all year
Utopia No2 pair - until conditions allow

Above lift information is subject to change.
 
Friday 23rd April 2010, 11:03AM
Weather conditions: Cloud, fog
New snowfall: 0 cm (observed since yesterdays report)
Snow depth: 110cm (Chuo); 120cm (Paradise); 140cm (Utopia) [official]
It's a cloudy, foggy and slightly wet start to the day in Zao this morning. Not the finest day to be out there really, but there's always the onsen. Things look set to be better over the weekend if the forecast comes out right - especially on Sunday with clear sunny weather likely - and it should be warmer as it has been a fairly chilly morning.

The Zao Echoline road which is close to Zao and a popular tourist road planned to open this morning but due to the snow still up there they have delayed that opening... without giving a definite date for that opening up. Hopefully it won't be too long though.

Chuo area:
110cm

Paradise area:
120cm

Utopia area:
140cm

Below are the lifts that remain open at the Zao Onsen resort (subject to change):

Uwanodai area:
Zao Sky Cable - open all year (closed 6th-28th May for maintenance)

Nakamori area:
Zao Chuo Ropeway - open throughout the year but closed from 12th-21st April for maintenance, except Sat/Sun.

Chuo area:
Chuo No1 pair - until 5th May
Chuo No2 pair - open only Sat/Sun/holidays until 5th May
Katakai triple - open only Sat/Sun/holidays until 5th May

Paradise:
Paradise Pair lift - until 5th May
Shobunuma No1 triple and No2 pair - open only Sat/Sun/holidays until 5th May

Yokokura:
Zao Ropeway - open all year (closed 6th-18th May for maintenance)
 
Utopia:
Zao Ropeway - open all year (closed 6th-18th May)
Utopia No2 pair - until conditions allow
 
Wednesday 21st April 2010, 10:12AM
Weather conditions: Cloud
New snowfall: 0 cm (observed since yesterdays report)
Snow depth: 120cm (Chuo); 130cm (Paradise); 140cm (Utopia) [official]
We have had some strong winds blowing the last few days in Zao, and this morning the winds are making it feel colder than it actually is. The temperature in the village is currently 9 degrees, though it does feel more wintery than that.

It is just cloudy this morning... and not many people around! Clearer weather is forecast for the weekend at the moment.

Chuo area:
120cm

Paradise area:
130cm

Utopia area:
140cm

Below are the lifts that remain open at the Zao Onsen resort (subject to change):

Uwanodai area:
Zao Sky Cable - open all year (closed 6th-28th May for maintenance)

Nakamori area:
Zao Chuo Ropeway - open throughout the year but closed from 12th-21st April for maintenance, except Sat/Sun.

Chuo area:
Chuo No1 pair - until 5th May
Chuo No2 pair - open only Sat/Sun/holidays until 5th May
Katakai triple - open only Sat/Sun/holidays until 5th May

Paradise:
Paradise Pair lift - until 5th May
Shobunuma No1 triple and No2 pair - open only Sat/Sun/holidays until 5th May

Yokokura:
Zao Ropeway - open all year (closed 6th-18th May for maintenance)
 
Utopia:
Zao Ropeway - open all year (closed 6th-18th May)
Utopia No2 pair - until conditions allow
 
Monday 19th April 2010, 10:57AM
Weather conditions: Cloud, fine
New snowfall: 0 cm (observed since yesterdays report)
Snow depth: 130cm (Chuo); 135cm (Paradise); 150cm (Utopia) [official]
The fine weather has eventually arrived in Zao after that period of winter-like weather. It isn't full on sun, but generally bright skies with an overcast cloud thing going on! Right now it is 3 degrees in the village.

From today the Chuo Ropeway will once again be closed for mainatenance, back open from the 22nd. So only a limited part of the resort remains open now - but still a fair bit of snow left on the runs open up top.

Fine, warm weather is forecast for tomorrow.

Chuo area:
130cm

Paradise area:
135cm

Utopia area:
150cm

Below are the lifts that remain open at the Zao Onsen resort (subject to change):

Uwanodai area:
Zao Sky Cable - open all year (closed 6th-28th May for maintenance)

Nakamori area:
Zao Chuo Ropeway - open throughout the year but closed from 12th-21st April for maintenance, except Sat/Sun.

Chuo area:
Chuo No1 pair - until 5th May
Chuo No2 pair - open only Sat/Sun/holidays until 5th May
Katakai triple - open only Sat/Sun/holidays until 5th May

Paradise:
Paradise Pair lift - until 5th May
Shobunuma No1 triple and No2 pair - open only Sat/Sun/holidays until 5th May

Yokokura:
Zao Ropeway - open all year (closed 6th-18th May for maintenance)
 
Utopia:
Zao Ropeway - open all year (closed 6th-18th May)
Utopia No2 pair - until conditions allow
 

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Below are the most recent photos uploaded to Zao Now!  Click on the thumbnail for larger version.  Click here to view all Zao Now! photos. (Currently 59 in total.)
 
 
Uploaded On : 6th April 2010 9:32 AM
4th April 2010
Uploaded On : 6th April 2010 9:32 AM
4th April 2010
 
Uploaded On : 6th April 2010 9:32 AM
4th April 2010
Uploaded On : 21st March 2010 7:29 AM
Zao, 19th March 2010
 
 
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View previous published reports from Zao Now! here :
 
May, 2010 April, 2010 March, 2010 February, 2010
January, 2010 December, 2009 November, 2009 September, 2009
 
ABOUT THESE REPORTS:
The Now! daily reports on Snow Japan are here to give our readers current snow and weather conditions in popular snow resort regions of Japan. The people who file these reports do their best to provide the most in-depth and accurate reports possible. Information is gathered locally by Now! reporters and is based on personal observations and information received directly from local ski resorts. Please note that Snow Japan and the individuals posting the reports take no responsibility for any decisions that readers may take based on what is written in these reports. Our advice is to always take care when you are in the winter mountains and know that conditions are ever changing in these environments.
 
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