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Zao Now: Friday 3rd April 2026

  • Apr 3
  • 2 min read

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata


New snowfall at base 3cm
Snowfall at base this season 455cm

Posted on Friday 3rd April 2026 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here.


Up to around 5cm in places and perhaps more higher up yesterday.


It was great to see a nice fresh white look.


This morning it's quite cloudy but the sun is managing to break through as I write this.


Forecasts seem to be calling for rain later tomorrow, and a return to something like today again on Sunday.


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Official snow depth (reported by ski area):

Yokokura area: 20cm

Uwanodai area: 30cm

Utopia area: 90cm

Chuo area: 95cm

Paradise area: 110cm

Summit area: 70cm


The following lifts remain operating:

Zao Chuo Ropeway

Sky Cable

Onsen Number 1 pair

Mikaeri pair

Chuo Number 2 pair

Chuo Number 1 pair


The Zao Ropeway is going to be closed from today until 24th April for 'maintenance'.


More information about the ski area: Zao Onsen


Zao Now

2025-2026 season

Data as of Friday 3rd April 2026


Total snowfall at base

455cm

Number of days snowfall observed at base

62 days

Most snowfall observed in 1 day

24cm (on 12th January)

November 2025 snowfall

5cm observed on 2 days

December 2025 snowfall

120cm observed on 18 days

January 2026 snowfall

199cm observed on 23 days

February 2026 snowfall

92cm observed on 11 days

March 2026 snowfall

36cm observed on 7 days

April 2026 snowfall

3cm observed on 1 day




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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