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Zao Now: Tuesday 15th December 2020

  • Dec 15, 2020
  • 2 min read

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata


New snowfall at base 11cm
Snowfall at base this season 28cm

Posted on Tuesday 15th December 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here.


Went to bed last night not at all happy with the forecasters - it was starry! - however, Bingo, this morning a further 11cms (and growing) and the Utopia slope has opened with the best growth of 20cms overnight.


It is even white down in the valley with snow falling everywhere so I think we can safely say that the snow is here.


Lifts operating:


- Chuo Number 1 pair

- Chuo Number 2 pair

- Utopia pair

- Zao Ropeway (both sections)

- Zao Chuo Ropeway

- Sky Cable


Ski course areas open:


- Chuo (part)

- Utopia (part)


Official snow depths (as reported by the ski area):


- Summit area: 40cm

- Paradise area: 35cm

- Chuo area: 50cm

- Utopia area: 45cm

- Uwanodai area: 20cm

- Oomori area: 20cm

- Kurohime: 20cm


Floodlit night skiing:


Uwanodai area:


- 26th December 2020 until 6th March 2021 (daily)

- 13th, 19th, 20th March 2021


Yokokura area:


- 26th December 2020 until 3rd January 2021 (daily)

- 8th January until 6th March 2021 (Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays)



Zao Now 2020-2021 season

Data as of Tuesday 15th December 2020 Total snowfall at base 28cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 3 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 16cm (on 14th December) November 2020 snowfall 0cm December 2020 snowfall 28cm observed on 3 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.


SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for.



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