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Zao Now: Monday 15th December 2014

  • Dec 15, 2014
  • 2 min read

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata


New snowfall at base 10cm
Snowfall at base this season 192cm

Posted on Monday 15th December 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here.


Not masses of snow this morning to report, 10cm here at base, but I think the wind has been blowing it about and there's really more fresh out there.


Can't see much though due to the snow and the wind blowing it about. All a bit mad out there and it's not going to settle down for a while it would seem with stormy conditions due especially as we get into Wednesday and Thursday. Expect lift operations to be affected at times.


Looks like the best time to visit might be the end of the week or weekend when the storm clears. Sunny conditions even maybe. And the snow conditions will surely be excellent.


Operating lifts at time of writing:


Onsen Number 1 pair lift

Onsen Number 2 quad

Mikaeri pair lift

Chuo Number 1 pair lift

Chuo Number 2 pair lift

Paradise pair lift

Yokokura Number 1 pair lift

Utopia Number 2 pair lift

Shobunuma Number 1 triple

Shobunuma Number 2 pair

Kuroboshi Number 1 Quattro quad lift

Katakai triple lift

All Ropeways/gondolas


Official snow depths:


Utopia: 160cm

Chuo: 105cm

Paradise: 110cm

Uwanodai: 105cm



Zao Now 2014-2015 season

Data as of Monday 15th December 2014 Total snowfall at base 192cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 13 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 80cm (on 3rd December) November 2014 snowfall 20cm observed on 2 days December 2014 snowfall 172cm observed on 11 days




All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Zao Onsen. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report.


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