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Zao Now: Sunday 27th December 2015

  • Dec 27, 2015
  • 2 min read

Updated: Oct 4, 2025

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata


New snowfall at base 22cm
Snowfall at base this season 105cm

Posted on Sunday 27th December 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here.


Good morning.


22cm of snow piled up outside my place here this morning. Utopia area adding 35cm to their snow depth this morning; if that is an accurate reflection of how much fresh snow there is up there... I'm on my way!


Whatever, it is good news this morning with a good snow refresh and more on the way. I would expect more lifts and courses to be open soon - perhaps even within today.


Very cold this morning and fairly strong winds at times and forecast. Tomorrow should be calmer and maybe a break in the snow before more Monday night into Tuesday.


Lifts that are planned to be operating at Zao Onsen:


- Sky Cable (gondola)

- Zao Chuo Ropeway

- Zao Ropeway

- Onsen Number 1 pair

- Mikaeri pair

- Chuo Number 1 pair AB

- Chuo Number 1 pair AB

- Katakai triple

- Diamond Number 1 pair

- Diamond Number 2

- Zao Paradise pair AB

- Shobunuma Number 1 triple

- Shobunuma Number 2 pair

- Utopia Number 2 pair


Official snow depths:


Utopia: 60cm

Chuo: 60cm

Paradise: 50cm

Uwanodai: 20cm



Zao Now 2015-2016 season

Data as of Sunday 27th December 2015 Total snowfall at base 105cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 11 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 22cm (on 27th December) November 2015 snowfall 22cm observed on 2 days December 2015 snowfall 83cm observed on 9 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.


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