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Zao Now: Thursday 15th January 2026

  • Jan 15
  • 2 min read

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata


New snowfall at base 3cm
Snowfall at base this season 227cm

Posted on Thursday 15th January 2026 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here.


Quick one this morning.


Light snow falling and relatively moderate conditions.


Tomorrow should be colder.


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Zao Onsen


Ski lifts:

All scheduled to be operating apart from Yokokura Number 2


Ski runs:

All of the main areas are open with just a few restrictions


Official snow depth (reported by ski area):

Yokokura area: 70cm

Uwanodai area: 70cm

Utopia area: 140cm

Chuo area: 80cm

Paradise area: 80cm

Summit area: 100cm


More information about the ski area: Zao Onsen


Zao Now

2025-2026 season

Data as of Thursday 15th January 2026


Total snowfall at base

227cm

Number of days snowfall observed at base

33 days

Most snowfall observed in 1 day

24cm (on 12th January)

November 2025 snowfall

5cm observed on 2 days

December 2025 snowfall

120cm observed on 18 days

January 2026 snowfall

102cm observed on 13 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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