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Zao Now: Friday 17th January 2025

  • Jan 17, 2025
  • 2 min read

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata


New snowfall at base 22cm
Snowfall at base this season 320cm

Posted on Friday 17th January 2025 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here.


More good snowfall overnight and there appear to have also been strong winds again. Lots of uneven snow piled up wherever you look.


This morning it is general overcast with light snowfall, with some breaks in the cloud at times.


The ski area appears to be opening as planned.


Official snow depth (reported by ski area):

Yokokura area: 90cm

Uwanodai area: 100cm

Utopia area: 210cm

Chuo area: 190cm

Paradise area: 200cm

Summit area: 170cm


Lifts & courses:

The ski area is open as planned



Zao Now 2024-2025 season

Data as of Friday 17th January 2025 Total snowfall at base 320cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 38 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 28cm (on 10th January) November 2024 snowfall 18cm observed on 4 days December 2024 snowfall 162cm observed on 20 days January 2025 snowfall 140cm observed on 14 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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