Zaoman 0 Posted November 27, 2008 Share Posted November 27, 2008 I have just come back from 4 hours at Zao (Yamagata). It rocked more than a big rock having a party in Rocksville. A large part of the resort is already open and you can ski right from the very top down to the bottom. The snow was good and there's lots of it - hardly a bare patch in sight and up at the top it was nice and fluffy. Some of the monsters were even starting to appear. I took loads of pics and so I'll upload them to SJ and link them in tomorrow. Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 Great. I'll look forward to seeing those. Link to post Share on other sites
torihada 2 Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 Q to Zaoman: I've read some complaints in review section, that Zao's not that challenging, with alot of flat areas and slow lifts. As you appear to be a local, are these complaints justified. Is Zao worth a diversion while travelling north? Cheers, glad to hear you got out so early in the season. Link to post Share on other sites
JapaneseSnowBunny 0 Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 I like Zao, onsen is also great there. Link to post Share on other sites
Zaoman 0 Posted November 28, 2008 Author Share Posted November 28, 2008 I uploaded some pics to SJ (first time - really easy ) I made a gallery: http://www.snowjapan.com/e/insider/member_photo_gallery.php?userGallery=215 Link to post Share on other sites
Zaoman 0 Posted November 28, 2008 Author Share Posted November 28, 2008 Originally Posted By: torihada Q to Zaoman: I've read some complaints in review section, that Zao's not that challenging, with alot of flat areas and slow lifts. As you appear to be a local, are these complaints justified. Is Zao worth a diversion while travelling north? Cheers, glad to hear you got out so early in the season. There are a few "connecting runs" that connect different areas of the mountain (which by the way is owned by 9 different lift companies! A world record surely!) They can be annoying, but as long as you know where you are going and don't get caught out, it can be minimised. Zao has some steep slopes but I would say it is probably best suited to someone who might call themselves intermediate and below. There sure are a lot of trees and the area is huge so I'm sure naughty people can find illicit places to play. But it is most definitely worth a visit. Great snow, great views, nice little onsen village. In quite a few ways it is similar to Nozawa Onsen and has the same kind of appeal. It's about 30 minutes drive from where I live, so I'm not actually there all the time unfortunately! Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 Cool Will be there fairly soon! Link to post Share on other sites
scouser 4 Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 Nice. Link to post Share on other sites
2pints-mate 0 Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 Good start to the seasn. Great. Link to post Share on other sites
torihada 2 Posted November 29, 2008 Share Posted November 29, 2008 After showing Mrs T your photos, she's up for a day and a half diversion to Zao Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted November 29, 2008 Share Posted November 29, 2008 I really like those snow monsters. Link to post Share on other sites
pie-eater 207 Posted November 29, 2008 Share Posted November 29, 2008 They are impressive - even now by the looks! Must try to get there for the peak season when they are looking their best. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted November 29, 2008 Share Posted November 29, 2008 I really must go there, just to get some photos of them. Really strange objects to behold. Link to post Share on other sites
torihada 2 Posted November 29, 2008 Share Posted November 29, 2008 Originally Posted By: Zaoman There are a few "connecting runs" that connect different areas of the mountain (which by the way is owned by 9 different lift companies! I assume your lift ticket is for the whole mountain? (trying to imagine carrying books of lift tickets for 9 different companies, not even in Japan....... ) Link to post Share on other sites
akibun 0 Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 Already nice photo I will be going there with work group in February. Link to post Share on other sites
kkk 7 Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 Looks like Zao is doing good. I'm going up there this season to check it out. Link to post Share on other sites
IwateKen 0 Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 I was surprised they have so much so early on. Long may it continue! Link to post Share on other sites
iiyamadude 6 Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 That place is always on my list but never seems to get ticked off. Link to post Share on other sites
Okama 0 Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 Great Okama near Zao don't think you can get there in winter without a guide. Link to post Share on other sites
2pints-mate 0 Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 What does that mean, kind sir? Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 Nu Half Link to post Share on other sites
snowboard 0 Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 No, Okama is the name of the crater. Link to post Share on other sites
snowboard 0 Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 You can see it near the bottom of this page http://www.snowjapan.com/e/spotlight/yamagata-zao-onsen.html Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 hahaha....doh! Link to post Share on other sites
kintaro 0 Posted December 3, 2008 Share Posted December 3, 2008 Thanks for the pics Zaoman. I had 8 seasons of 30 day plus days a year at Zao before moving back home to Hawaii. Someday I will return!! Link to post Share on other sites
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