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Zao Now: Tuesday 18th November 2025

  • Nov 18, 2025
  • 2 min read

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata


New snowfall at base 2cm
Snowfall at base this season 2cm

Posted on Tuesday 18th November 2025 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here.


Hello from Zao Onsen.


And what better way to kick off a season with news of some snow on the ground.


There is a thin layer of snow down to village levels this morning and it is snowing lightly now.


The ski area seems to be aiming for an opening for a 'mid-December' opening, remaining quite vague. But an opening on Saturday 13th if possible... is what I am hearing. How flexible that is, I do not know. Early lift ticket prices are valid until 19th December.


Let's see.


I'll let you know of further snow before the season starts.


Zao Now

2025-2026 season

Data as of Tuesday 18th November 2025


Total snowfall at base

2cm

Number of days snowfall observed at base

1 day

Most snowfall observed in 1 day

2cm (on 18th November)

November 2025 snowfall

2cm 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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