top of page

Zao Now: Sunday 31st January 2021

  • Jan 31, 2021
  • 2 min read

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata


New snowfall at base 8cm
Snowfall at base this season 288cm

Posted on Sunday 31st January 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here.


It was positively arctic conditions first thing this morning, however, the sun is now out and the winds have died down. Very cold though.


I expect the sun to be playing hide and seek during the morning before the clouds disappear as per the forecast.


More people about than usual given that it is Sunday and faith in the forecast. Lovely to have abundant soft stuff again.


Report from the Kurohime super giant course - ice patches are showing through now, as they are probably in other areas too, due to the powder being skied out. A relatively busy day today!


All lifts scheduled to be operating apart from:


- Kokutai pair

- Karamatsu pair

- Paradise Number 3 pair


All areas open apart from:


- Kotan


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


- Summit area: 140cm

- Paradise area: 150cm

- Chuo area: 150cm

- Utopia area: 180cm

- Uwanodai area: 120cm

- Omori area: 110cm

- Kurohime: 180cm


Floodlit night skiing:


Uwanodai area:


- Daily until 6th March 2021

- 13th, 19th, 20th March 2021


Yokokura area:


- Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until 6th March 2021



Zao Now 2020-2021 season

Data as of Sunday 31st January 2021 Total snowfall at base 288cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 35 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 24cm (on 30th January) November 2020 snowfall 0cm December 2020 snowfall 142cm observed on 15 days January 2021 snowfall 146cm observed on 20 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.



bottom of page