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Zao Now: Monday 22nd December 2025

  • Dec 22, 2025
  • 2 min read

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata


New snowfall at base 3cm
Snowfall at base this season 94cm

Posted on Monday 22nd December 2025 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here.


Light snowfall early this morning with loose snow on the ground.


It has gotten colder too.


It was overcast just before but there now seem to be some breaks in the cloud appearing.


A moderate wind.


Clearer skies expected tomorrow.


Everyone is waiting for a good delivery of snow and all being well we'll get that from Friday when it looks like it'll be much colder. And snowier.


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Ski lifts:

Most lifts are now scheduled to be operating.

The following lifts are not yet open:

Ryuzan pair

Yokokura Number 2

Nakamori Number 2

Zao Kokutai pair

Onsen Number 4 quad

Oomori quad


Ski runs:

Most areas are not at least part open


Official snow depth (reported by ski area):

Yokokura area: 20cm

Uwanodai area: 30cm

Utopia area: 45cm

Chuo area: 30cm

Paradise area: 30cm

Summit area: 35cm


More information about the ski area: Zao Onsen


Zao Now

2025-2026 season

Data as of Monday 22nd December 2025


Total snowfall at base

94cm

Number of days snowfall observed at base

14 days

Most snowfall observed in 1 day

23cm (on 4th December)

November 2025 snowfall

5cm observed on 2 days

December 2025 snowfall

89cm observed on 12 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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