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Zao Now: Sunday 28th November 2021

  • Nov 28, 2021
  • 2 min read

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata


New snowfall at base 3cm
Snowfall at base this season 38cm

Posted on Sunday 28th November 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here.


There is 40cm at base, and being a Sunday, locals are rolling in and the Zao Ropeway car park is nearly full.


It continues to snow higher up and the Utopia slope is now also open. The ski area has decided to keep them open tomorrow too.


Please do not be tempted to cross the rope barriers to come to the bottom (some have). If you've seen what it is like under the snow, there really isn't enough to ensure you don't go over some nasty stuff and either wreck your skis/board or have a nasty fall...


Some clearer skies due over the next few days.


Operating ski lifts (planned):


Chuo Number 1 pair

Utopia Number 2 pair


Official snow depth


Summit: 35cm

Paradise: 20cm

Chuo: 40cm

Utopia: 65cm

Uwanodai: 10cm



Zao Now 2021-2022 season

Data as of Sunday 28th November 2021 Total snowfall at base 38cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 3 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 20cm (on 27th November) November 2021 snowfall 38cm observed on 3 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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