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Zao Now: Saturday 18th November 2017

  • Nov 18, 2017
  • 2 min read

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata


New snowfall at base 6cm
Snowfall at base this season 6cm

Posted on Saturday 18th November 2017 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here.


Good morning from Zao Onsen.


Snow has been falling again. Down to village level here on Thursday with the first proper snow of the season. I had a total of 6cm of snow build up on the top of my car outside my place by yesterday. Nice. Will be more than that up on the mountain of course and the slopes are looking white.


It is a little milder this morning with lots of cloud around.


Looking ahead there is more snow forecast for over the coming weekend, with the best chance of snow on Sunday.


Some more news for the upcoming season as we wait for the snow and ski resort opening.


Floodlit night skiing for the 2017-2018 season is planned as follows:


In the Uwanodai area:

Daily from Saturday 23rd December 2017 until Sunday 4th March 2018

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only from Friday 9th March until Sunday 18th March 2018.


In the Yokokura area:

Daily from Saturday 23rd December 2017 until Monday 8th January 2018

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only from Friday 12th January until Sunday 18th February 2018.

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only from Friday 2nd March until Sunday 11th March 2018.


Night time 'light up' sightseeing ropeway is planned for the following dates:


December 2017: 23rd-24th, 29th-31st

January 2018: 1st-7th, 13th-14th, 20th-21st, 27th-31st

February 2018: every day

March 2018: 1st-4th



Zao Now 2017-2018 season

Data as of Saturday 18th November 2017 Total snowfall at base 6cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 1 day Most snowfall observed in 1 day 6cm (on 18th November) November 2017 snowfall 6cm observed on 1 day




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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