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Zao Now: Wednesday 19th December 2018

  • Dec 19, 2018
  • 2 min read

Updated: Oct 6, 2025

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata


New snowfall at base 12cm
Snowfall at base this season 88cm

Posted on Wednesday 19th December 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here.


Good morning from Zao.


Another 10+cm of fresh snow this morning to report. And hopefully there might be more in my report tomorrow as well, because after that there's a spell of milder temps due as we get into the coming weekend.


Might we see more lifts and courses open from Friday, when the 'regular season' lift ticket prices kick in?


It would be nice.


No specific news on that front for the moment, let's see...


Lifts and course info:


- Chuo Number 1

- Chuo Number 2

- Mikaeri pair

- Onsen Number 1 pair

- Utopia Number 2 pair


- Zao Ropeway

- Zao Chuo Ropeway

- Sky Cable


* Chuo area part open

* Utopia area part open

* Uwanodai area part open


Official snow depths (as reported by resort):


- Summit area: 25cm

- Paradise area: 35cm

- Chuo area: 50cm

- Utopia area: 50cm

- Uwanodai area: 35cm

- Oomori area: 25cm



Zao Now 2018-2019 season

Data as of Wednesday 19th December 2018 Total snowfall at base 88cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 13 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 17cm (on 18th December) November 2018 snowfall 7cm observed on 3 days December 2018 snowfall 81cm observed on 10 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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