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Zao Now: Friday 29th January 2021

  • Jan 29, 2021
  • 2 min read

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata


New snowfall at base 4cm
Snowfall at base this season 256cm

Posted on Friday 29th January 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here.


Morning from Zao.


Snowy and windy conditions this morning. There is a modest layer of snow on the ground this morning and more in places due to the wind. The wind is also affecting the top section of the Zao Ropeway which is on hold at the start of the day. The lower section is operating.


It should be snowing through the day and tomorrow as well. Wee will all be happy to welcome that new layer. (Less so the winds!)


All lifts scheduled to be operating apart from:


- Ryuzan pair

- Kokutai pair

- Karamatsu pair

- Paradise Number 3 pair


All areas open apart from:


- Ryuzan

- Kotan


Official snow depths (as reported by the ski area):


- Summit area: 115cm

- Paradise area: 130cm

- Chuo area: 130cm

- Utopia area: 120cm

- Uwanodai area: 120cm

- Omori area: 95cm

- Kurohime: 135cm



Zao Now 2020-2021 season

Data as of Friday 29th January 2021 Total snowfall at base 256cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 33 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 23cm (on 19th January) November 2020 snowfall 0cm December 2020 snowfall 142cm observed on 15 days January 2021 snowfall 114cm observed on 18 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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