top of page

Zao Now: Sunday 18th December 2016

  • Dec 18, 2016
  • 2 min read

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata


New snowfall at base 1cm
Snowfall at base this season 89cm

Posted on Sunday 18th December 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here.


This morning I can just about justify awarding 1cm to my report. More like 9mm!


It is a fairly cold morning here with just that bit of new snow and generally cloudy conditions.


A few more lifts open now including the high speed Kurohime quad - I like that one. Recommended parking area too away from the main village area...


Looks like Japan is in for a mild spell this coming week and Zao won't escape that either. Rain is likely even on the mountain mid-week. But we should be back to snowy conditions by the weekend.


Lifts that are planned to be operating today at Zao Onsen:


Zao Ropeway

Chuo Ropeway

Sky Cable

Mikaeri pair

Chuo Number 1 pair AB

Chuo Number 2 pair AB

Onsen Number 1 pair

Onsen Number 2 quad

Zao Paradise Pair AB

Shobunuma Number 2 pair

Katakai triple

Utopia Number 2 pair

Astraea Number 3 pair

Kurohime Number 1


Official snow depths:

Chuo - 50cm

Utopia - 50cm

Uwanodai - 35cm

Paradise - 50cm



Zao Now 2016-2017 season

Data as of Sunday 18th December 2016 Total snowfall at base 89cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 17 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 17cm (on 17th December) November 2016 snowfall 11cm observed on 6 days December 2016 snowfall 78cm 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