top of page

Zao Now: Sunday 17th December 2017

  • Dec 17, 2017
  • 2 min read

Updated: Oct 5, 2025

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata


New snowfall at base 23cm
Snowfall at base this season 157cm

Posted on Sunday 17th December 2017 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here.


Good news this Sunday morning.


23cm of fresh snow on the ground to report as it continues to pile up. It's cold and visibility is limited.


Hopefully the snow will continue through the day today, as it is due to ease off for tomorrow. Perhaps more snow clouds moving in on Tuesday.


Operating lifts:

- Chuo Number 1 pair

- Chuo Number 2 pair

- Zao Paradise Pair AB

- Shobunuma Number 2 pair

- Katakai triple

- Mikaeri pair

- Utopia Number 2 pair

- Astraea Number 3 pair

- Kurobishi Number 1 quad

- Onsen Number 1 pair

- Onsen Number 2 quad

- Yokokura Number 1 pair A

- Zao Ropeway

- Zao Chuo Ropeway

- Sky Cable


Official snow depths:


- Summit area: 65cm

- Paradise area: 70cm

- Chuo area: 70cm

- Utopia area: 80cm

- Uwanodai area: 45cm

- Oomori area: 50cm



Zao Now 2017-2018 season

Data as of Sunday 17th December 2017 Total snowfall at base 157cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 16 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (on 25th November) November 2017 snowfall 66cm observed on 5 days December 2017 snowfall 91cm 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.


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.



bottom of page